New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-04-19
A DEMOCRATIC BUSINESS PROGRAMME.
NOW THAT THEY CAN COUNT quorum
THEY ARE PREPARING TO PUSH THINGS
- DEFECTS N THE RULES

THEY ARE PREPARING To PUSH THINGS
DEFECTS N THE RULES
Washington April IS (SpecaD.-The Democratic
leaders in the House Of Representatives have de-
termincd that the business Of legislation shall not
be delayed hereafter Ny the lack OF a quorum.
they have also determined to be exceedingly in
dustrious and push a conclusion speedily
practicable all the general measures such the
Ant-Op,ion bill and the Free Ship bill. which 1t Is
thought desirable to pass at this session. The ap-
preparation bills also TO be disposed Of as early
as practicable. \ prominent Democratic member
of the House to-day said Tribune correspondent
that under the amended rules and In consequence
Of the enforcement Of the statute which provides
for docking the pay OF members who absent
cept Of sickness he believed that all the
work for the House at this session could be-
completed by the middle Of June. Such action he
and probably expedite the passage Of the revenue
There is a good deal OF reason to doubt whether
this fine business programme of the Democratic lead
ers will De successfully carried out The enforce
ment Of the statute against members who are absent
except on account of Illness will undoubtedly result
in larger and more regular ATTENDANCE OF members
dustrous under the spur OF pecuniary compulson Is
been compelled to resort to this method OF keeping
enough members IN Washington 10 DO business Is
by no means creditabe - them az party, but they
are desperate enough 10 do almost anything
garless Of Appearances or consequences.
The Sergeant-at-Arms Of the House has taken the
first step toward the enforcement OF the law,
VIII soon De READY 10 Degn 10 dock the pay OF an
sentees. II IS strongly 10 be doubted whether the
rule adopted Yesterday Will prove to be effective
as its reluctant authors hope and expect. While II
clearly recognizes and adopts the principle en-
boiled in the rule adopted In the List Congress- 1;
lacks essential features which the latter contained
one Of the more important Of these j. that which
applied to proceedings in The Committee Of the
Whole. in the List Congress the quorum in Conn
mittee Of the Whole consisted OF 100 members and
the rule then in force provided for the counting or
"A quorum whenever necessary in the committee az
well in the House The quorum In Committee o;
the Whole now consists Of l79 members-the same =
fE. hut no
the counting Of members except when the roll IL
called. and that H. never done In Committee OF
the Whole. This lack IN the rule may be the
cause OF many delays and disappont In the
future-dcays which were not fOreseen and disap-
pointments which Will be unexpected Another thing
which Will impair the effectiveness Of the rule
IL the fact that the dilatory motions which were
not permitted by the rule in the List Congress-such
the motion for recess. TO ia "A day when
the House shall adjourn to adjourn. etc-arc recos
nlzed and permitted by the existing clie OF rules.
and it Is only by ignoring that part bf the code
that the Speaker can refuse 10 entertain those
tons. which are always In order.