The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-09-03
THB RULES Oh THE HOUSE.
Considerable Feeling Developing
Over the Committee Report.
OPPOSITION TO MR.. CRISP.
A Hot COlIoquy Between General
Catchings and Mr.. McMillin.
A Possible Explanation IS TO Why Mr..
1IcMnin Was Left Of the Rules Com
mittee-An Adjournment Taken
Until Next Wednesday.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.-The debate
over the House rules is developing con-
siderable feeling between the Crisp
leaders and some gentlemen who consti-
tuted factional opposition in his own
party TO the speakers administration IN
the last House. This is apparent by the
vigorous manner in which they are fight
ing the proposed changes in rules, pro-
posed in the interest Of expediting busi-
ness and preventing obstructive tactics.
Mr.. McNIillin, who is leading the DEM
ocratic opposition to these changes, is be-
ing ably supported by Messrs. Hooker OF
Alabama and Turner of Georgia, and
quite number of Democratic congress-
men who oppose the adoption OF the ex-
pedients of the Reed congress.
The Republicans, led by ex-Speaker
Reed are using all their ingenuity to
drive wedge in between the Democratic
factions.
Mr.. Hooker presented modified
amendment he sought TO have adopted
yesterday, increasing the number re-
quired to object to business by unanl-
nous consent. 1t was defeated.
Mr.. Tracy, of New York, offered an
amendment striking out the clause In
rule twenty-o permitting amendments
to general appropriation bills when those
amendments are In the interest OF re-
trenchment in expenditures.
Mr.. McMillin spoke vigorously in OPP
position to the proposed change, as also
did Messrs. Holman, Stone and others,
and Tracy withdrew.
MIR. Kyle, of Mississippi, offered an
amendment incre asing the number of
members constituting quorum in com
mittee of the whole to majority OF the
members of the House. Under the rule
brought in by the committee 100 members
are made quorum in committee of the
whole. Mr.. Kyle declared this was
against public policy and public senti-
ment, and placed it practically in the
power of a hundred mem ers to rausact
the most important business OF the
House.
Mr.. Outhwaite. of the Committee on
Rules, contended that if members were
interested in legislation they would be here
whether members constituting a quorum
were 100 or 165. During consideration Of
the appropriation bills absenteism is US
ually great and House business is OBJ
structed.
Mr.. Dearmond OF Missouri supported
the Kyle amendment and called attention
to the fact that MIR. Cultivate opposed
such an amendment in the Reed Con-
gress.
Mr.. Cultivate said he was four years
older in legislative experience than when
he made that speech.
Mr.. Dearmond said the objections adj
duced four years ago were as good now.
The entire Democratic side fought the
proposition at that time, as could be
demonstrated by reference to the vote on
record.
Mr.. Breckenridge of Kentucky spoke
warmly in support of the amendment.
MIR. Catchings, floor leader, asked to
have the rule passed temporarily until q
larger attendance was obtained, but MIR.
Hooker of Mississippi objected and sup
ported the change. He said the commit
tee of the whole has no place IN the con-
stitution: it is a mere matter of convent
ence, and the suggested change is to
make II less cumbersome. The question
of how the Democrats voted four years
ago made no difference, as at that time
they were fighting the unprecedented
Reed rules.
A hot colloquy took place between
General Catchings and Mr.. McMillin OF
Tennessee, and the latter asked why if
this change was advisable now why Ii
was not made in the last Congress?
Mr.. Catchings replied warmly, sayin g
Mr.. McNillin is the last man in the
House who should ask such question
that number of changes desired by the
speaker and himself (Catchings) last ses-
sion failed because of Mr.. McMillin IS
Imposition. This was taken by many
members as an explanation of why Mr..
McMillin was dropped from the rules
committee this time.
After further debate the House sus-
pended consideration OF the rules to pass
an amendment to the urgent deficiency
bill and after adopting q resolution
making the day of the centennial cele-
bratioD of the laying of the corner stone
OF the Capitol a legal holiday, adjourned
until next Wednesday.