Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-17
WHY THEY LAUGHED
Mr. Reed and Republicans Enjoy the
Situation in the House.
TIE EI-SPEhKER as 4 PROPHET
Attitude of Republicans Toward
the Quorum-Counting Rule.
MR.. REEDS CRITICISMS

1t was only a few months ago, hardly
pair dozen. that Mr.. Reed Of Maine stood
IN nls place on the floor Of the House and
warned the democrats that the day was
surely coming when the principle of ascer-
tanning the presence of a quorum by in
Guiding those present and not voting would
be adopted by a democratic Congress
People who heard that prophecy well re-
member the shouts Of derision and the
,eering laughter with which II was received
on the democratic side Of the chamber.
rms afternoon recorded the fuIillment Of
Mr. Reeds prophecy under most interest
ing and somewhat extraordinary circum-
stances This afternoon saw Mr.. Reed re-
Training from uttering one word of jublla-
ton, declining to cast one taunt at the op-
position. and yielding the time Of debate
belonging to him to democrats who de-
yielded to Mr.. Bryan, Mr. Cummings, Mr..
hilgore and other democrats, who spoke
against the adoption of the rule
Inc republicans assumed the attitude of
listeners entirely, and only evidenced their
apparent interest in the proceedings by
vigorously applauding the democrats who
most t,o loudly declaimed against the PROPOSE
,ion: Every reference to tyranny" gag
law and the down trodden minority was
appianded by the republicans.
On the republican side of the chamber 1t
were laughing and apparently in very
good humor. The democrats appeared
somewhat subdued. The straight-outs, who
opposed the rule were very blue and the
smiles of the others, those who shut their
eyes and swallowed the medicine of the
best.
In the lobbies the republicans expressed
keen regret that the debate had been
limited They desired the dissenting demo-
Gratis to have ample opportunity to COM
"a
Catchings had offered four hours debate
TO the opposition, which they scornfuily
refused, and were compelled to finally vote
without any debate.
MIR. Reed on the Rule.
Ex-Speaker Reed says. concerning the
new quorum-counting rule introduced to-
day:
1T should be fully understood that there
is no objection from the republican side to
the principle or substance Of the rule, but
only to its details. 1t Is cumbersome and
lacking in that simple directness which will
permit ii to accomplish the purpose 1t seeks
TO accomplish. In a question of this i'm
portance. also, it would seem as though
there should be ample time TO consider the
rule and fOrtify II In every way possible
For this reason we do not feel called upon
TO participate in the program of rushing
through the rule after an hour or so Of
debate before the rule has been printed
anu OeiOrc any one mas seen, much less
mastered. the intTicacies of the rule Still
there is no purpose to oppose the measure
further than to point out it's want of sim
plicity and directness.''
Representative Springer went over from
the democratic side and Joined Mr.. Reed
In the discussion Of the rule. Mr.. Reed
proceeded: THE amendment offered by us
in the rule We tried in the Fifty-frst Con-
gress and found not to be wanting. 1t is
brief, simple and free from ambiguity"
Mr.. Springer suggested that the clause of
the new rule requiring two members to act
as tellers and do the quorum counting from
the clerks desk would be difficult Of exc
cution.
There are few men In the House who
can be found TO serve such tellers," said
Dir. Reed. Members do not know all their
associates The Speaker is about the only
one who can designate every man by name
II Will simply revert to relying on the
clerks, and the provision for tellers will be
a naked fOrmality.'
After thus pointing out what he regarded
as the mussy" character of the rule, Mr.
Reed again emphasized the point that there
would be no factious republican opposi-
ton
The democrats have finally indorsed the
principle Of duorum-counting rule, and
the only effort on his part would be to per-
sect that rule.