New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-05
CITING DOWN THE QUORUM

Few men in public life possess the art OF
definition. 1t appertanS to minds that delight
in analysis. and it supplies to men who THINK
quickly and speak easily one of the most ef-
fective weapons of debate. Mr.. Reeds ad-
dresses. however short, abound with illTstia'
tions of this art and when he described the
pending proposition Of the House Committee
ON Rules az a device to enable the Speaker to
escape the responsibility of counting quorum
he told lis precise function, told il fully. and
again exposed the ridiculous plight oil those
Democratic leaders who are trying by mdtrec-
ton and artitice to do what they have not the
manly courage to do openly
1t will expedite legislation beyond doubt. it
a quorum of the Committee OF the Whole can
be fixed at | 90 members. But TO adopt such
n rule will be an obvious trick to escape the
constitutional provision that n majority OF
each (house) shall constitute quorum to do
business" The unhappy Democratic states
men who wish TO prevent ilibuSterng without
seeming t. prevent it, to obtain the powers
secured By the Reed rules without coping
these rules. TO deny their former principles
while seeming to real!irm them-the'e as
tressed leaders reconcile their proposition TO
the Constitution by claiming that the Com
mittee of the Whole does not do business,
that il is merely an open conference. ana mat
the irresponsible character of lis proceedings
removes the necessity CT securing Ia them the
presence of quorum Of the whole ilouse.
This is a p,lpablc subteMugc and PLAIN listlfl-
cation of abSentecSm. the very thing which the
Constjtut on was so careful 10 provide against.
The Committee of the Whole is Il means of
inSuing full and free debate. and the people
want their REPRESENTATIVES present while de-
hate goes on. What can be clearer than that
if debate is of any value at all. 1t should re-
ceiye the strict attention OF every one WhCSc
mind il is aimed t. inform and whose vote 1t
is aimed II influence?
II is n t essentially Illuminating 10 confess
that one learns a. one grows o.dei. that he
knows more to-day than he did Yesterday. that
he is net without the power - receive the
lessons of experience On the contrary. u
ANYBODY except a Democratic statesman the
humliat,ng thing would be TO be thought be-
yond the reach Of such instruction These
statesmen have besn in>trrcted-thcre j. ~
Il ubi Of t'ai The Republicans Of the List
Congress showed them the way 10 put down
minority obstruction. t. em1ncpate Congress
f. IN the thrlld IN Of handful Of altful and
Ionq-vinded flibu.tertrs They have the lessen
and ere t.ying nightly t. profit by H. Bu'
what they want T. avoid is the appearance OF
having IT, the adm ssion that they We're wrong
| IN the outrageous course they pursued -four
| wears ago In this effort they are driving theH
| wits frantic b. hunt devices for the Hcpub-
| licau rules but if seems that they are even
willing 10 abandon their own devices when
they see the cynical smile Of the gentleman
! from Maine AZ he comments them for the adj
vance they have made and expre>ses hope foi
their further enlightenment and for larger
| inSration of courage.
To the country this exhibition Of Democrat &c
shly -shalyng j. becoming tireSome The
peovle are not c,mplimented by the aSsump-
ton that they are too dull to see through it.
The Republican minority is not asking FOR
rules that will enable it TO block Democratic
| legislation II will take care OF itself, and
wishes only the right to declare It's position and
then to vote. The spectacle OF great ma
| iority. with great obi cations 10 discharge,
wasting days and weeks in wrangl' with IT.
self whether it shall make rules that invest il
with the power to perform its task or place IT
| at the mercy of ob>tructionistS. is a spectacle
that excitos the contempt Of rational men.