New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-18
(py TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUXH.j

Washington, April l7-lf any political prophes
IN 1890 had predicted that within four years
House of Representatives. Democratic by nearly
ninety majority, would enact the scenes tnat
were witnessed in that body to-day ne wouid
ho,,, be,n set down as foolish. Four years ago
Mr. Reed did say that the time would come
when the Democrats would be forced to embrace
and adopt the principle which they then rejected
and denounced: two years ago he repeated his
declaration with still greater emphasis ana con-
hdence and since this Congress assembled no
bos renaatedIv affirmed it, but it is doubtful II
even he expected to see the principle in behalr
of which he has contended with such magnif-
cent skill and force such unwearying energy ana
such unhaggng zeal, triumph so soon IN
House of Representatives dominated by parti-
sans who had so bitterly assaed and vehe-
mentlv denounced It in season and out OF
season.
1t was natural. therefore. that the action OF
the House to-day should be very generally REQ
ognized and regarded as a personal triumph ior
the Maine statesman, and the applause and con-
gratulations bestowed upon him by his Repuo-
| lican associates as well as by many OF his poh'-
cal opponents. were appropriate and we. mer'
tied: for. by his magnificent leadership OF the
| minority was this early triumph OF common
sense over partisan bigotry and stupidity won
Everybody recognized and appreciated that
| fact and the victor could well refrain from any
expression OF his satisfaction other than tho
simple statement in which he congratulated the
House upon the wise thing II was about TO DO.
ue could also well afford TO yield twelve Of the
fifteen minutes Of time allotted TO him to Messra
Rrvan. Cummings Kilgore and Russell, who
were opposed to what one Of them characterized
as this disgraceful and humiliatng surrender
! to Reedsm."
It would be unfair and untrue to say that ar
| the Democrats who spoke and voted for the new
rule did 50 with enthusiasm or satisfaction;
probably il would not be true 10 say that a ma
| jority OF them did so. They simply bowed to
hard, Implying necessity and their arguments
in support of the proposition were exceedingly
weak we'll as perfunctory. This might have
been expected when the brunt Of the task fell
upon the two Democratic members OF the Com
nnittee on Rules VINO had supported and brought
in the Ten Dollar Rule" which had to be with
drawn to-day by one OF them in order to clear
the way for the caucus proposition. That act
was a plain accentuation Of the defeat which
the Democratic trfumvirate suffered in the last
| Democratic caucus. One Democrat who seemed
| 10 enjoy the situation. however, was ex-
Premier" Springer whose little speech in favor
| OF the rule was rewarded with generous meas
ure OF applause from the Republican side. He
had happily forgotten his speeches and protests
on the opposite side in the List Congress There
were forty-seven Democrats however. whose re-
gard for consistency mpelled them TO oppose the
rule to-day as stly. but with good deal less
noise and violence, than they did four
years ago
The rule adopted. as ex-Speakers Reed and
Grow pointed out to-day. will probably be found
unnecessarily cumbersome. and the trial OF it on
one yea and nay vote showed that by its opera
ton the amount Of time consumed was increased
from thirty to forty-fve minutes. The rule re-
quires that on every rollcall tellers shall be ap
pointed 10 note the names OF members present
who do not vote, requirement which does moi
seem To be necessary on all or even majority
OF rollcalls and which If enforced will result in
the unnecessary consumption OF good deal o
time Again as Mr. Reed pointed out. the mem
bors appointed "a tellers in nearly every case
will not be able to recognize both the names and
faces Of all members who being present shall fai
to respond on any rollcall Indeed. the number
Of members who know by names and faces al
the other members OF the House Is exceedingly
small. and. as Mr.. Reed said. the natural conse
quence will be that the tellers will be compelled
TO depend to great extent upon the clerks
The rule as reported and adopted is as follows
Amend Rule % by inserting between clauses ant
the following as clause ?, and change the numbe
Upon every rollcall ard before the beginnin,
thereof. the speaker shall name two members. on
be- who shall take their places at the clerks des
TO tell the names of at least enough members VIII
who do not respond when added 10 those respond
ing. TO make quorum. II quorum does not re
spond on the roca then the names OF thos
noted as present shall be reported to the Speaker
who shall cause the list to be called from tn
clerks desk and recorded on the Journal an
In determining the presence of quorum to d.
business. those who voted. those who answere
present and those 50 reported present shall be con
sidered Members roted may. when their name
are called record their votes. Notwithstanding tn
provisions Of clause OF this rule.
Amend clause of Rule by adding thereto tn
| following words:
And. rollcall. shall he not vote. he shall an
swer present" as 10 read:
Every member shall be present within the ha
OF the House during It's sttings unless excused o
necessarily prevented: and shall vote on each cues
tion put unless he has direct personal or Pc
cuniary interest IN the event of such question an
| on a rollcall should he not vote he shall answe
present"
nETArTS THE pROrEEnrNGo