The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-23
A NEW RULE DEMANDED.
SOMETHING REQUIRED TO BRE<K
THE DEADLOCK IN THE HOUSE.


THE DEADLOCK IN THE house
Be-ssrs,s Ci-s-ist-s = Can rsTs csusu.
90 Asept = Rsis wh,ss win E-ssis che
Rsriority 60 Transact Ru.iaes--Mruy IN
Favor OF the Reed Hale or Ce.aunE =
0seru. whs- - 0uoruu - Present.
wAsHINaToN. Feb. 22.-Some OF the Demo
Gratis have decided to invoke the aid OF King
Caucus In the adoption OF a rule which will
enable the maiorty OF the House to transact
the public business. During the confusion in
the House to-day Representative Painter OF
Kentucky circulated a call for a Democratic
caucus with svlew to the adoption OF rule
that will prevent members from breaking n
quorum by refusing to vote. The spirit Of the
Reed rules are to be invoked, although the
advocates OF the proposed new rule will
qualify their action so as TO avoid any censure
or ridcule that may be resorted TO by Mr..
Roed and his partisan followers Within the
pAst week many OF the leading Democrats
have admitted that the Reed rule so called. of
counting quorum Ia In the main correct.
They are tired OF the present condition OF az
fairs in the House. and they are ready to adopt
almost any reasonable solution Of the problem.
II Ia said that Speaker Crisp is also anxious
to do something to relieve the Democratic
majority from the criticism that Ia now being
20 freely made but II appears that he Is an
noyed by the spectre Of e Reedism" which 10
constantly presenting itself
Representative PAINTER had no difficulty In
securing signatures to the caucus call and IL
Is understood that a caucus will be held within
few days to consider the situation that now
confronts the Democratic majority In the
House. 1t has been demon strated that the
present rules are defective. and unless
II o.. .zl liz.
to vote no business can 5e transacted.
Various plans are now under considera-
ton. The one which appears to meet the
requirements OF the occasion without coming
too near to endorsing Tom Reed, Is the rule in
force In the Kentucky Legislature Under this
rule member who Is present and refrains
from voting may he named by an associate
and required 20 vote or give acceptable rea-
sons for DECLINING to do so. Another plan Is
suggested which provides that one member
from each side OF the question at issue be au-
thorized to count the House, instead Of impos-
ing that responsibility upon the Speaker.
For seven legislative days now Mr.. Bland
has struggled in vain to secure q voting quo
rum for the adoption OF the previous question
| so that debate may be closed on the SeiGnior-
age bill. which he Is anxious to have passed.
During tho whole Of this time there has not
been moment when call OF the House did
not disclose the presence Of anywhere from 225
| 100 men sat silent 10 the hall when their votes
| were needed. II this was the first time such u
Criticism The TACT is. howsSer. that even to
pass Tarin hili. to which the mocratic
. wss foT assenesn BECAUSE mem
bers In the House refrained from yot.
Ing and Tt more rsssGty the eoTt
| OF the Administration Hawaiian policy led to
| several wasted days. hecause 1t was In tho
eoIns a common thing aowsdays on the M st
combine together for silence and make their
presence known only In calling attention to
their own failure to be recorded.
ssTi0ns question lon f H one 9pon Tn,fh
| or tho House has any power by rule to de-
prive any member Of any portion o. the salary
to which he is entitled by law, either for AT ab-
s.Pss.ni.st. Arm. !. not an oiIicsr otsSs Hoq;s
when i comes to the payment Of salaries He
The siIoots case. The sssrstary Of tbs
TO saa 81 the House. nns
bsrs for nom voting. that no rule could he
direct the Sergeant: at Arms to nay the ssia.
ries without deducting the fines. should the
Bs9' %hont belss om
salary. then the money would have to be col
ala oy MoS
Involve tedious and unsatisfactory processes.
| Indeed. nearly all OF the suggestions which
have been made regarding lines have been
open to one or more serious obiecti ions. and II
| seems doubtful whether this plan will he
agreed upon. There Is one way. however, by
| which fines can be made operative. and this
as Representative, Catchings; a member Of the
Committee on Rules. pointed out to-day, Is to
enact 3 law which will authorize the dedue;
lions OF the amount which may be levied u
| House alone II would pass the Senate as q
| matter OF courtesy. but II II applied to both
| Houses It might find q stumbling block In the
| upper body
Representative Bailey has a plan. however
| by which this possibility may he avoided by sc
framing the act as to read that WHEN either
| House shall pass a rule which shall. Sc." He
| proposes that such rule shall be agreed to In
| the House but. MS will he seen. the wording o
his proposed act leaves It matter Of choice
| with the Senate whether that hody shall Adopt
similar rules. To such an act. he thinks the
Senate cannot interpose any objection.