New-York tribune., 1894-04-14
TO ADOPT "REED'S RULES"
TRIUMPH OF THE EX-SPEAKER
DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMEN FINALLY
DECIDE TO COUNT A QUORUM.
AFTER ABUSING THE REPUBLICAN LEADER FOR
FOUR YEARS. THDY RELUCTANTLY ADMIT
THAT HE WAS RIGHT-sPDAKER
CRISP OPPOSES THE sURREN-
DER TO THE LAST.

Washington. April 13-The Democratic ma
jorty in the House of Representatives is having
one OF its rare lucid intervas-one which, II II
does not end quickly and Unexpectedly as It
began, may result in the adoption OF a rule to
substitute the visible quorum of the Consttu-
tion for the voting quorum upon which Speaker
Crisp and other Democratic leaders have 80
vehemently and savagely insisted ever since
their party regained control OF that body.
The Speaker yesterday did what he would bet
ter have done the day before; he spent most Of
the day conferring with members on the Demo-
cratic side of the House, and trying to ascertain
the trend Of opinion to what measures should
be taken to compel the attendance at all times
Of a quorum He probably became satisfied be-
fore the sitting ended that the provisions brought
forward and advocated by the triumvirate
If adopted. which doubtful. would probably
prove to be nugatory on account OF the strength
and activity Of the Democratic opposition, II for
no other reason. but he seemed determined not
to yield.
This determination weakened this fore
noon by the discovery that the Democrats who
are in favor Of the Constitutional quorum were
signing a petition favor Of a caucus to con-
slider the subject OF rules. but he did not yield
until after two more vain attempts to muster
a voting quorum. Both rollcas showed the
lack of more than twenty votes and there was
no prospect Of making better showing. Be
sides. Mr. Springer. who was circulating the pc
tition for a caucus. had obtained many more
signatures than were necessary, and it became
evident that the opponents Of the pending prop
Osition would be able to force a discussion where
the previous question could not be invoked to
smother it or prevent the offering of amend
ments In a word the majority of the Com
mittee on Rules was about to meet its first de-
feat The fate Of the "Ten-DOllar Rule as
we'll as that Of the Crisp quorum" was sealed
when after a sitting which had lasted only an
hour the House. on motion Of Mr.. Dockery Of
Missouri adjourned The attempt Of the clerk
to read the call for a Democratic caucus was
thwarted by the dersve applause and laughter
Of the wicked Republicans which drowned his
voice.
The caucus was long and lively-so lively in
fact, that Judge Holman. who presided was con-
strained to insist that not more than three men,
bers should occupy the floor and speak stimuli
taneously. Some of the extreme and more vol
uble opponents of Reeds Rules" declared that
the adoption Of any provision for a visible
quorum would be "a base surrender Of an ancient
and cherished principle OF the Democratic party
that Is 10 say. of the doctrine that the minority
shall rule-and that it would bring ridicule as
well as condemnation upon the Democratic
that the Democratic party might have escaped
a good deal OF condemnation and merited ndicue
II II had adopted Reeds Rules in the last Con-
gress.
Amid all the variety and contrariety Of opinion,
however, none Of weight was found in favor OF
the 'Ten-Dollar Rule" framed and brought in
by the Democratic triumvrate except that ex-
pressed by its authors. OF course Speaker Crisp
felt deeply chagrined account OF the general
disfayor with which that proposition was re-
ceived but he is too good party man not to bow
10 the will Of a party caucus. The framing Of a
rule which provides for the inclusion in the
quorum d members who do not vote as we'll as
those who do. and the enforcement Of II after Its
adoption. will probably be exceedingly disagree
able tasks for him 10 perform, but he will not
fail or refuse 10 do
OF course the vindication OF the Reed Rues'
by Democratic caucus ought. in the opinion OF
many persons. 10 have been more speedy and less
reluctant. but many other persons who have been
close observers OF the performances Of the Demo-
Gratis In Congress will be surprised 10 find that II
has come soon. II has been wrenched from
them by hard. Implying circumstances. OF
course, also. II must be expected that me Demo-
cratic majority both in the Committee Rules
and in the House itself will strive by the most
careful phrasing 10 disguise completely
practicable the fact that the rule they have been
forced to adopt is essentially the same the one
adopted in the List Congress- because IL Is de-
signed 70 effect. and VIII produce. exactly the
same result. The names Il members present who
fail or refuse 10 vote will be counted. If necessary
as we'll as the names or members who do vote,
in order to make a quorum Whatever difference
there may be in the methods of reaching the
suit. the result will be tie same. and the Demo-
cratic majority in the House Of Representatives
I'm 1894 will occupy the same ground that the Re-
publican ajOrity in that body held in 1890
After all said and done, the Democrats are only
four years behind the Republicans on this