The Washington times., 1894-04-16
FORECAST FOR THE WEEK.
Quorum counting Rule VIII Ec the Mos
Drc,

Quorum counting Rule VIII Ec the Most
Prominent Feature.
The struggle over the adoption OF the new
quorum-counting rule decided upon by
the Democratic caucus last Friday will be
the feature OF the coming week in the House.
The details OF the rule have not yet been
formulated by the Democratic members of
the Committee on Rules composed of Speaker
Crisp and Messrs. Catchings and Outhwaite
but it will probably be ready to su bmit 10
the full committee when it meets tomorrow
morning.
Inasmuch rs about one-third of the Demo-
crats are violently opposed to any quorum
counting rule. as indicated by the vote in
caucus, it will be impossible for the Demo-
crats alone should the Republicans decline
to vote and the Democratic opposition sus-
tain their opinions TO the extent OF declining
to vote TO make quorum. to adopt such a
rule. In other words unless the rule framed
by the Democratic triumvirate of the Com
mittee ON Rules should frame a rule satisfac-
tory to the Republicans the latter could. If
they chose, prevent its adoption. The Re-
pubicans WILL however gladly acquiesce in
the adoption of any rule that contains the es-
sential principle of recording rs present but
not voting those members who decline to
respond to their names.
This is the parliamentary principle which
Mr.. Reed has been contending ever since the
end OF the Fifty-frst Congress. 1t must be
embodied in any new rule submitted to the
House or il cannot be adopted. II is expected
that when the rule is presented Mr. Reed will
make one of the greatest speeches OF his life.
Owing to the death of Senator Vance the
House will undoubtedly adjourn Immediately
tomorrow. and the fight over the new rule
will be postponed until Tuesday. 1t is proba-
bic that bur little time will be allowed for
doh In. .Ia 81,
House adiourns Tuesday evening tine quorum
counting rule will have been adopted and fill
clustering of the kind which has characterized
the proceedings of the House for the past
three years will be thing of the past
The resolution adopted by the caucus, in
structinc the Sergeant-at-Arms to enforce
section 10 of the statutes, fining absent men,
ber5. except on account of Illness it is be-
lieyed will have the effect of securing a very
full attendance in the House hereafter.
As soon as the new order OF things has
been inaugurated in the House the consider
alton of the appropriation bills will be re-
sumed, and will consume the remainder of
the week. After the Post Office appropria-
tion bill. which is under discussion, is COM
pleted, it will be followed by the consular
and diplomatic army bill.
The Senate will adjourn soon after the hour
for meeting tomorrow out of the respect for
the memory of Senator Z. B. Vance. of North
tdrOllna. whose death occurred suddenly on
Saturday night.
With the exception of the Chinese treaty,
which is TO be considered Tuesday and the
routine morning business of each day. the re-
mainder Of the week promises nothing but a
continuation of the tariff debate There is
little doubt that the Senate will accept the
agreement reached between Senators Harris
and Aldrich, providing that general debate
on the tariff shall continue each day from
TO 5 O'Clock. and that it shall not be inter-
rupted by roll-calls or other business. This
Will probably preclude all parliamentary con-
tests, and pave the way for ten or dozen pre-
pared tariff speeches
The Democratic side of the chamber will
furnish a greater number of speeches this
week than last. Senator Smith has given
notice of speech for Monday, but it will be
postponed until Tuesday or later. Senator
McLaurin will speak on Wednesday.
Later in the week Senators Turpie and
Palmer and possibly other Democratic Sena-
tors will speak. On the Republican side Sena-
tors Morrill,. Perkins. Higgins, Gallinger.
Hoar Cullom. Cameron. and Washburn will
probably address the Senate in the order
named If time is permitted all of them, and II
there should at any time be any lack of speak
ers Senator Quay will continue the speech
begun by himself on Saturday. the delivery of
which it is understood will consume several
days time.