The record-union., 1892-01-30
BEFORE CONGRESS.
THE HOUSE DEVOTES ITS ATTEN-
TION TO THE NEW RULES.
Democratic Members Find it Neces-
sary to Appeal to a caucus Decree
to Secure Unity of Action.
Special to the REcoRp-uS1ox.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 29.-The Demo
Gratis of the House found it necessary to
appeal to the caucus decree in order to
secure unity of action in the adoption of
the rules. 1t is a matter of some signifi-
cance that the subject of dissension in
the Democratic ranks is that clause of
the proposed code which enables the Com
mittee on Rules at any time to call up for
consideration the report Of that commit
tee, and preventing dilatory motions
! being made pending such considerations.
To give the Speaker power to recognize
and prevent dilatory motions at such
particular time, and to clothe him
with a like power at all other
times, seems to many Democratic men,
bers great discrimination in favor of
the committee of which the Speaker is
ex officio Chairman, and whose delibera-
tlonS he naturally directs, and the pro-
posed rule was most bitterly attacked by
various members of the dominant party.
SO little, however, was attention paid TO
party lines during the debate that one of
the strongest supporters of the rule was
Hon. James Buchanan, the well-known
Republican representative from New
Jersey.
When the House met it proceeded to
drawing from the jurisdiction of the APP
preparation Committee the appropria-
tions for the support of the District of
Columb bia. After considerable debate, the
amendment was rejected.
An amendment was also rejected to
take from the Committee on Rivers and
HarborS jurisdiction over appropriations
for the improvement of the Mississippi
River.
Later in the afternoon political debate
was started, during which Dingley of
Maine referred to Springer's silver
speech in New York City, and charged
Springer with having said that this
House would not pass free silver bill
He also understood that Lanham of
Texas had withdrawn his amendment
giving the Committee on Coinage leave
to report at any time, with the assurance
of the gentleman from Missouri, CIr
| Bland) that it was unnecessary. There
seemed to be some misunderstanding,
| however, and he wished to call the atten-
ton of the gentleman from Illinois to the
| matter.
| Springer-I did not make statement
! that this House would not pass a free
| coinage bill. l said free coinage bill
would not become a law, because your
| President would veto il.
| Hooker of Mississippi moved to strike
! from the rules the provision making it
always in order to call up for considera-
| ton the report from the Committee on
| Rules and preventing dilatory motions
| being made pending such consideration
! Springer earnestly opposed the motion
! and gave hearty approval to the rule.
Bailey OF Texas, the youngest member
/ of the House, and who came to Washing
| ton with quite a reputation for oratory,
| then took the floor and he fully justified
his reputation. The greatest attention
was paid TO his remarks, which were di-
rected to the advocacy of Hooker's mo-
! ton. He opposed the rule. The Ameri-
surveillance unknown to the Constitu-
| ton, because they were living under a
| system of committee government. The
proposed rules gave to the majority OF
| the Committee on Rules the power to de
| eide what affirmative action will be taken
| by the entire House. Such power ought
not be delegated except in case of abso-
| lutte and pressing necessity. If the DEM
ocrats adopted this rule they were
stopped hereafter from criticising the
Fitty-first Congress and the distinguished
/ gentleman who presided over its deliber-
atons. Applause on the Republican
side.
! Oates of Alabama offered an amend
ment providing for the appointment of a
! Committee on Order of Business, to con-
sist Of fifteen members-ten Democrats
and five opposition-which shall have
leave to report at any time, and of which
the Speaker shall be ex officio Chairman.
Cochran of New York said if the ma
jority could not absolutely control rep
resentative body, then parliamentary in
stitutions were without excuse for their
existence.
After further debate, but without ac-
ton, the House adjourned until to-mor-
! row.
During the debate on the contested rule
] several DemOcratic leaders hold ,p in
formal conference and discussed the wis
dom of calling party caucus to secure
unity of action among the Democratic
members. 1t was decided that such a
course was imperative. and caucus was
announced for tomorrow evening