The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-15
Democrats Humiliated Before
the Great Parliamentarian.
TRluMPH OF MIND OVER MATTER
A Quorum-Counting Rule Soon to Be
Presented to the House.
II IL Suits the Kep1biicaa Leader He
VIII Permit ft to Be Adopted-A
Hard PHI for she sestherners to
Swallow.

the pfief ana iruitiess session OF the house
ended to-day the plans of the committee
on rules were changed so as to have a
meeting and begin the formulation of a
quorum-counting rule. 1t had been in
tended not TO take m the subject until
next week. but the enforced recess of this
afternoon gave plenty of time TO 90 over
many of the plans submitted On:hwaite.
Of the committee, said that the first step
would be 20 examine into the various
plans with view ~ extracting the best
possible method.
There was evidence of reaction on the
Democratic side today. An undercurrent
Of int ,nse hostility 20 auorum-counting
existed. The forty-four who voted against
the proposed rule are . nucleus of this
feeling. and with other members who are
arriving it is estimated that fully q third
Of the Democratic membership Of the
house Is opposed TO the rule. This
makes Reed master of the situation
when the rules come before the
house, and the Democratic opposition
TO the rule and the minority under Reed
would together form an opposition strong
enough to defeat the rule This has made
1t clear to the friends of the rule that they
must shape it to secure the Republican in
dorsement, as without their Endorsement
the caucus action could never be carried
into effect in the house. There is every
evidence that the elements will come to-
gether. however, as the Democrats are
now so fully committed TO counting a
quorum that they do not feel disposed 10
disguise their action by an important rule.
while, on the other hand. the Republicans
are ready to accent anything embodying
the substance of quorum counting, with
out quibbiing over details.
Mr.. Reed was center Of attraction as
he entered the house today. His associates
on the Republican side gathered about him
and warmly congratulated him on the ac-
tion of the Democratic house yesterday in
voting for quorum counting rule. II was
regarded as personal victory for Mr..
Reed. The Democrats joined in the good
natured ngratuiations, Mr.. Cochran re-
marking that Mr.. Reed was no longer the
original and only czar. as the Democrats
had decided to be czars. Mr.. Reed con-
ferred with Messrs. Dingley, Burrows.
Cannon and other Republican leaders as
to the course to be taken when the rule
will be brought In, He would authorixe
no statement Of what would be done,
ever, 1t was agreed that Mr.. Reed would
hold the minority to vote for any rule
counting q quorum. To a friend Mr.. Reed
remarked that 1t was hardly wise to an
nounce policy and thus place your cards
face up on the desk. 1t has been made
clear. however, that the only thing Mr..
Reed will contend for is rule free from
ambiguity and which will accomplish the
end as we'll as recognize the principle for
which he has 80 long contended.
Representative Dingley talked with Mr..
Reed and with many of the Republican
members al to the prospective course of
action. Mr.. Dingley would not outline
any policy, but gave some personal views,
which reflect the general feeling among
Republicans.
while am not authorized to state
what course will be adopted. it seems evil
dent that no opposition will be made to a
rule which clearly recognizes the princi-
pie that an actual visible quorum can be
counted to do business. A rule of that
nature would be such a vIndication and
Endorsement OF the rule enforced by Mr..
Read in the Fifty-first congress that there
would be every reason whv we should &C.
cept IT with satisfaction. Nor is il likely
that questions would he raised against
unessentiai details so long as the substance
OF the parliamentary principle for which
We have contended Is recognized.
After q conference of three hours to-
day. ex-Speaker Reed, Mr.. Catchings
and Mr.. Cultivate did not COM
plete the new counting rule directed
by the house. Mr.. Crisp said at the
conclusion OF the conference that a rule
would probably be reported to the house
Monday. Senator Hull today followed up
his motion of yesterday to count pairs by
amendments To the senate ru les.
They are on the same lines as the amend
ments presented BY him during the extra
ses sion last fall.