Evening star., 1894-04-14

Sensibly and with a proper disregard for
the quips and jeers of those who protested
against following the example of Thomas 3.
Reed, when he was Speaker OF the House.
the democratic caucus last night resolved
that quorum-counting shall be indulgad In
whenever such arithmetic is necessary. The
democrats of the House OF Representatives
are fit subjects for congratulation on their
arrival at such a conclusion, and although
O considerable proportion OF the number
participating in the caucus-forty-four out
OF one hundred and twenty-four-were op-
posed to the change in the rules, II cannot
reasonably be imagined that there will be
further opposition to the adoption of the
rule which is wholly busiuesslike and COM
mendable in every respect. The Star has
never questioned either the legality the
desirability OF the quorum-counting propo-
sition; 1t has, on the contrary. insisted that
the entire weight of logic and common sense
was opposed to the contention that a men,
Der could at the same time be present for
obstructive purposes and absent as a Iegis-
lator; and il has, ever since the present
Congress commenced to be. felt satisfied
that before this sessions adjournment came
such rule as that recommended by last
nights caucus would be agreed upon. When
II was first suggested that the Fifty-third
Congress would do wisely II 1t adopted in
general the rules and methods of the Fifty
first, there was practical unanimity Of dem
ocratic dissent, but every days experience
was testimony to the reasonable character
OF the suggestion. While Speaker Reed was
IN the chair, none more strenuously opposed
his course than did Representative Crisp,
but yesterday evening Speaker Crisp-who
now knows how necessary some such rule
is-declared to the caucus that he was rot
opposed TO the counting of a quorum, end
that if the democrats Of the House should
decide in favor of that method, he would
strictly enforce the rule. 1t IS semi-officially
announced that the regulation which is to
be framed and adopted will differ somewhat
from the rule which worked so successfully
In the Fifty-first Congress, and it is not
improbable that when the quorum has TO lie
counted it will be done by some other mem
Der or officer than the Speaker. That WILL
however, be a distinction without a differ
ence and will be useful only because it may
reconcile some of those who are stubbornly
opposed to anything that savors OF what
they are pleased to term "Reedism-" Some
doubt is expressed as TO whether the rep1b-
leans in the House will vote for the adop-
ton Of a quorum-counting rule. There las
been no republican caucus on the PROPOSE
ton. nor has any one authorized to speak
for the republicans given Indication of their
intention, but it is only fair to imagine that
Mr.. Reed will support a rule which he has
always insisted should be adopted, and that
those who are of like political opinion will
also be found on the affirmative side when
the final vote is taken. The people of the
United States desire that the House of Rep
resentatives. being elected to legislate. snail
be able to do the business for which It is
chosen; and shall not be confined by few
obstructionists to a pitiful exhibition of
How not to do it,