The morning news., 1894-04-19
DEMOCRATS CLAD OF IT.
The New Rule Was Necessary, Hence
Was Adopted.

w Adt5NSE departure from FreCe-
dent Has Been Instituted-The Rule
VIII Hit Reed In a Tender Spot.
Washington. April 49, 49, The general
sentiment among the democrats in the
House, in regard to the adoption of the
rule to count a quorum, is one of self con
graduation. Notwithstanding that forty
seven democrats voted against the adop-
tion of the rule, most of the Democratic
party feel that great deal has been ac-
complished, in that the House is now able
to do business, Notwithstanding the
absence of democratic quorum
Your correspondent has tested the
sense of the democratic side as far as
practicable, and thinks that most of the
members are glad the rule has
been adopted They saw no other way
out of the difficulty, and so-although
some of them, perhaps many of them,
would have liked to do without the new
rule-they voted for it, as the best thing
that could be done
1T WAS NECESSARY.
Some of the democrats who voted
against the adoption of the rule argued
and, of course, did so conscientiously,
that there was no necessity for counting
a quorum; that the House had got along
thus far without it, from the organiza-
tion of the First congress, with the single
exception of the Fifty-first congress.
Their position would have been correct,
and their conclusion true, provided the
democrats could have been kept here.
But they could not. Their number in the
House is 21S, and yet when this rule came
up to be voted on yesterday only 173 dem
ocrats voted. That was six less than a
quorum. Even on so important a matter
a quorum of democrats could not be had.
There were seven other democratic mem
bers in this city who ought to have been
present and voted; but they were absent
absent without leave of the House, and
without any excuse, so far as their col
leagues know
1t would seem that this fact consti-
tutes a sufficient reply TO those who
argue I'VE can get along without it,"
REEDS OCCUPATION GONE.
The occupation of Mr.. Reed is well
nigh gone now. Nearly everything
he has done during this con
gress has been to lead his sub
servient followers in tilibustering. BY this
means, which was made possible only
by the dereliction of the democrats, he
has got an enormous amount of adver-
again soon. His glory has departed. and
the prospect now is that he will sink down
into the region of the common place.
NOT ALL WITH HIM.
In his didoes in the present congress
not all of the republicans have been with
him in sentiment, although they have fol-
lowed his lead with a faithfulness that
has almost amounted to trucking. Some
of them say in private that they don't ap-
prove his ways, but all the same they
submit to his dictation
One of the strongest men in the House
on the republican side said to me to-day:
IF l was a candidate for President
which | am not-l would try to build up
my reputation on something bigger than
points of order" The keen, satirical
quality of this remark is very apparent
to those who have watched Reed S course.
He has made some of his biggest fights
on quibbles, aud has many times tried to
make a reputation by attempting to brow
beat the speaker. In the latter effort ne
has been unsuccessful to a degree which
would have daunted less persistent
man.
So long as there are large and impor-
tant political battles to be fought, it looks
strange that a man with a giant S
strength would fritter away his time in
making points Of order for the purpose of
entrapping the speaker. But such IS
Reed.
PERSONALS.
Mr. Lacy A Morgan, formerly one of
the editors of the Vienna Progress, has
been appointed to a position in the gov
ernment printing Office, upon request of
Speaker Crisp.
Mai. George T. Barnes, the stalwart
and unterrifed democrat OF the Tenth
district, is here for few days
on business. Since leaving congress, Mai
Barnes has built law practice OF such
magnitude that he boots at the IDEA of
ever going into politics again. He has
found the something better"
Mrs. Sam w. Small has joined her hus-
band, who has been here about three
weeks During Mr.. Small's short stay
here he has preached twice and lectured
four times, and he has made a good i'm
preston.