The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-05
Rules Adopted yesterday That Give the South.
ern Triumvirate Power Far Beyond that
Conferred on the Maligned "Czar."
No Measure Can Reach a Vote Without
the Consent of the Three Dictators.
All the Much Abused Features Of the Reed
Code Retained and More Arbitrary Ones
Incorporatcd-yiews Of the Ex- Speaker.
THREE GEARS" CHOSEN.
Crisp, Catchings and McMilin to Dictate
Legislation In the House.

Crisp, Catchings and n1cMiuin to Dictate
Legislation In the House.
Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 4.-Ar last the House
has code of rules for its government.
These rules were adopted late this after
noon. After eight weeks of 1elay the DEM
ocratic majority of the lower branch of
Congress has succeeded in approving q
system of legislation machinery which is
ingeniously devised to grind out no legis-
lation whatever unless it has been ap-
proved by the national bosses of the Demo-
cratic party.
The country rang last year with mug
wump and Democratic denuncations of
imperialism sm" in Gear" Reeds House. The
record OF that House in the num-
ber and Importance Of the bills
which it made law exceeds the
record of any House In the history of the
Republic. The rules which were adopted
trary beyond comparison with those of the
last Congress. They concentrate within
the power of three men. namely, Speaker
Crisp of Georgia, "ShoestrinR" Catchings
of Mississippi. and Benton McMillin of
Tennessee the absolute power to dictate
what shall or shall not be done by the
House of Representatives
These rules contain ell of the features of
the rules of the last House which were most
violently abused and most falsely criticised
by Democratic stump speakers on the floor
of the House and on the hustings. They
omit only, of all the essential features of
the rules of the last House. the power of
the Speaker to count o quorum. But even
this one exception has been cared for 80 as
to bring 1t within the power of the three
Southerners named. who are thus given
control of the House to prevent any revolt
by Northern Democrats from reaching q
successful issue. In plain words, the two
thirds Democratic majority of the House is
like an unrulv giant with thrse men at his
throat, who can make the burly ruffian
either speak or choke him into inactive
silence. as they will.
This despotism is veiled behind film of
rules which pretend. and only pretend. to
give Individual members their rights. The
practice of fillbusterins by breaking q
quorum. or by any diIatory motion is
thoroughly within the cegfrol of these
same three Southern gentlemen. In this,
rs in all other matters. Georgia. Mississippi
and Tennessee have the voice of the House
within the clutch of their fingers. Members
may filibuster on such measures as the
rules committee will permit; but 1t Is
within the power of that committees to put
q peremptory stop to all filibustering at the
instant il 80 pleases them. 1t has only to
introduce a special order naming o special
day and hour when q vote is to be taken,
and all filibustering must cease.
During the long and protracted struggle
over the rules ex-Speaker Reed has natur-
ally resumed his old place as leader of the
minority. Two or three other Republic
ans have occasionally como to his assist
anoe, but the brunt of the battle has fallen
upon the shoulders OF the Maine Represent
alive. He has seen in this debate his first
opportunity to officially vindicate his code
of rules. and he fifty closed the long dsous-
sion by to-day moving the adoption of the
rules of the laat House. This motion was.
of course. defeated by party vote, and the
new rules were then adopted. but not till
the Republicans had re-indorsed the work
OF rule making by the last House.