Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-04
POLITICS LAID ASIDE
By Congressman for Once, in the
Interests of the People.
ONE EXCELLENT RULE AGREED ON.
1t Was a Republicans Suggestion and
Supported by Reed, but
THE DEMOCRATS SPEEDILY ACCEPTED 1T


WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 8. - The
House of Representatives spent another
monotonous day in the discussion of the
rules, and it is now evident that the first
two months of the session will close with
the rules of procedure OF the Fiftv-second
Congress still under consideration. The
progress made to-day was very slight; but
it was marked by one very significant event
the adoption of an amendment proposed
by Mr.. Dingley, of the Republican side,
and chiefly supported by ex-Speaker Reed.
This amendment, too, is one of the most i'm
portant thus far proposed to the commit
tees report, as it provides that all Senate
amendments to House bills other than ap-
preparation bills shall be considered as soon
as laid before the House by the Speaker.
This is considered an important step
toward the practical expedition of legisla-
tion, and no stronger evidence Of the dispo-
sition to consider the rules in a non-partisan
spirit could be afforded than in the general
support which the amendment of Messrs.
Dingley and Reed to-d day received from the
Democratic side.
The Power of the House.
The pending motion this morning was
that made by Mr.. Boatner, of Louisiana.
striking out the clause permitting general
legislation on appropriation bills, provided
that, being germane, it retrenched expendi-
lures. In advocating his motion Mr.. Boat
ner argued that the approximations of pre-
vious Congresses would show that expendi-
lures could be reduced constitutionally and
reasonably without the House depriving
itself of its independence. It had co-equal
powers with the Senate, and it should not
surrender them.
Mr.. Bowers of California, said he did not
need any reform so far as he was concerned.
He was not here to sound the praises of re-
form. The people of the West wanted appro-
priations for the improvement of rivers and
harbors, for public buildings, for the survey
of the unsurveyed lands of settlers. He
wanted to give the Democrats a good
straight tip in the race for the Presidential
stakes. They were putting the race up
wrong, and if they expected to win they
would have to change their horseshoes. If
they did not put on good, sound, sensible
horseshoes, they would not be in it. Chang
ing his simile, Mr.. Bowers warned the Dem
ocrats that they could not win with the
hand they had They would have to draw
or they would be beaten. The party which
took a Scent nickel as the measure of the
American people would make mistake.
Mr. Bland, of Missouri, contended that
unless the rule was adopted in its present
form it would be impossible for the House
to retrench expenditures and reduce taxa
tion.
Riders Not Always Objectionable.
Mr. Pendleton, of West Virginia, could
understand why the Republicans of the
Fifty-second Congress should be opposed to
riders on appropriation bills. Riders on
appropriation bills had saved the liberties
Of the people. 1t was by measures of this
character that the liberties of the English
people were established. In late years they
had refused to preserve the constitutional
rights of the people of the South. While
he didn't think the policy of riders was
sound one, the present situation would JUS
tify its adoption.
Mr.. Butler, of Iowa. said that as an origi-
nal proposition he would feel it his duty to
oppose riders, but he was controlled largely
by the thought that the public interests
should always be suggestive of public duty.
When Representatives determined for them
selves what the people sent them here for,
then, in order to carry out that determine
tion, they must adopt methods which would
make it possible to do so. 1t was the
bounded duty of the House to adopt such
methods as would make economy possible.
Mr.. Price, of Louisiana, opposed the
clause The House had large Democratic
majority. 1t could pass any bill it wished
and send it to the Senate. If the Senate re-
jected it, it must take the responsibility.
Mr.. Catchings, of Mississippi, then de-
manded the previous question, and it was
ordered.
Mr.. Boatner's motion was defeated-yeas
SO, nays 119.
One of Dingieys Moves Fails.
MI. Dingley, of Maine, offered an amend
ment providing that no bill or resolution
shall at any time be amended by incorporat-
ing thereing the substance of anv other bill
or resolution pending before the House.
The amendment was lost.
On motion of Mr.. Enloe, of Tennessee, an
amendment was adopted providing that
all bills shall be introduced by presenting
them to the clerk properly endorsed and
shall be appropriately referred by the
Speaker
Mr.. Dingley, of Maine, offered an amend
ment providing tor the consideration of
Senate amendments to House bills (not ap-
propriating money! as soon as they are laid
before the House by the Speaker.
Tn speaking in favor OF the amendment,
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, remarked that the
work of the last Congress had been done
under stress of weather, from the reading
of the first journal to the final adjournment,
and if the ship had sailed safely over the
stormy sea, how much better would it sail
in the summer weather which would char
acterize this House? Laughter
The amendment was agreed to.
Consideration of the Calendar.
A long discussion ensued, directed toward
the methods by which the private calendar
should be considered. There was much
complaint made that the calendar was
blocked with measures reported from the
war claims committee, and that these, as they
generally give rise to much antagonism,
prevent the consideration of other private
bills
Mr.. O'Neil, of Missouri, protested
against the small attention which had been
given to private measures during previous
Congresses, and offered an amendment pro-
viding that on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Saturdays the House shall meet at 10 o'clock,
the two additional hours to be devoted to
private bills. The amendment was lost
yeas &c; nays 133.
The House then adjourned.
What the Senate Found to Do.
The usual batch of petitions was pre-
sented and referred in the Senate to-day.
Mr.. Dolph, from the Committee on Foreign
Relations, reported back adversely various
anti-Chinese bills introduced and referred
at the present session, and reported in lieu
of them bill continuing in force for ten
years all laws now in force prohibiting anu
regulating the coming into this country of
Chinese persons and persons of Chinese de-
scent. Calendar.