New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-11

CATCHING THE SPEAKERS EYE.
Mr. Hepburn (Rep. Iowa. proposed an amend
ment to the rule governing debate as to require
the Speaker to recognize a member who addresses
the Chair. instead Of leaving 1t optional.
In support Of his amendment Mr.. Hepburn said
that he believed the rule il stood TO he wrong
and In violation of the Constitution and a perver-
sion Of the power vested in the membership o. we
the House III" said Mr. Hepburn. there Is any
one proposition Of the Constitution that e WEI eS
tablshed. il IS the absolute equality OF c0isI!'
uences and OF the representatives or CONSTITUENT
clcs this floor 1t has been suggested to me py
that the Speaker cannot do the business OF tne
Whv Mr. spsakeT We are reasomable people and
| take ii We Will ask TO more Of the SpedK,er man
make II possible for him to perform. BeslHrs,
allow me 10 suggest that expression emDodies an
idea entirely at war with the true one; ms IS d
the peoples representatives and not by the speak
er / heard it suggested once coming from the
tain question because this was no; debating
school An. Mr. Speaker. there is setting abroad ,h
too much of the idea of the schoolmasteI III tnc
Speakers chair. Applause on the Demoeratc side,,
be.eve it : time to cal hat on mat hi 10
relieve the Speaker OF this grave i hc3iv
TO make this House once again deiip-raNe DIN .S
Speaker of the House OF Representatives. was -
quired 10 recognize the member upon whom hi5
eye first rested. Then the rule was chlhSed' anu
the language Of the present rule aloptri. Ine
words and on being recqsnzed nave pee" r.t''.
recognition or this floor. To thwari we pS'ro21S
thu Constitution. to defeat the equality OF H.ih-
abuses have sprung from that condition Of afair7
have grown on, Of the construction of this rule;
ho.d in my hand an admirable authority on parma
mentary procedure" o.,
Several members WHO is the author?
HIS ADMIRABLE AUTHORITY.
Mr.. Hepburn-"It IS the Hon. Thomas b. Reed
AppauseJ 1t bears the date OF 1871 da'e inter
medl. between the ending Of the List Congress
and the beginning Of the LlNth. when there was
nothing bu a record II the scenes IN this orhich Oh
the law-making power to modify or change IN any
way me opnioia OF us WIKI" tl. - Hniyeseniaiives
the recognition by the Speaker IS never IuesHoi,rn.
This IS right for any other course "ou;r sI Mi
OF course. b. recognized undertake 10 say; Iii,
speaker that III ast senfnce IS he par SAFE q. i'm in
this chamhrr-eV-Iy where. Applause. =, ,.
said N closing. simply requires ihat when a
Of TINS House. invested Win the SANE isha
as every other member. comes here 10 dt!'pf'"'e
from 4 constituency. that has the same risht rs
other constituency ana ~nen b III 10 the
speaker when no one else srsns tNf rb .1 S,aSrr
the sneaker shall recognize him. | believe II IS
,i t1nnd.raon 6Re1 Iowa. said that this propo-
sition was startling innovation, and merited me
cdeed in The sneaRcr. he conceded great
anr but the amendment, of has colleague provided
no remedy for the cN oothpialo g ne AK n,@mbers
of the House to be heard on every Subject ana tlc
rule attacked had grown into the prdclic" o. o. s'
House because OF its necessity. II me rue wa
Violation OF the constitutional rights of tho mem.
hers then every bit Of machinery inT app9''n nn
vided to facilitate business was a noa,'"m , ~
belle "a thai lively agility ana .ouh N o., ,nn
be- permitted - deprive the House oi tl' h,,he"t
Contained in a hiil reported hy IT, when should be
under consideration. Tho statement 10y MI n.y.
The MYTH Congress. Mr. Henderson 'aih was
new to him lie had no, studied the hs'ofY 81 IN.
a statement 10y General Garfield. reporting the
{ Z. 10
would rc'ult in pandcnonuin being lot loose on tho
moor lcr,smti, bod in The civilized world Than that
Inc selection Of ~" member - speak shall u" lodged
in the Speaker or presiding officer
4 Wall FROM THE PoPrLISTs
Mr. Roll pop. COLI was glad attention had bccn
called 20 this matter. For five weeks. he said. not
a Populist member had been permitted 20 open
his mouth. He had gone to- ne Speaker ID me
ours" o. IN pfhri,n l'' ar nekei 70 be- rccornz
to present rcquce for unanimous consent =" con-
aye. Weighls a"d Mr" -ui'. 10 'i' ~ an, nJ
OF gold and silver. The Speaker kindly but firmly
told him that he would No, iik' a. rN,'"I ,".
IRON ~" with fh Top.llsis had been tr.atcd ia
slcctaiio assignment bad hc'n glv'n 10 tho ropr-
HIS ne said The House had descended from %
..,r,,r hi,h estate 10 Doe tho body OF bosses. the
body of tyranny. whore ind.' idualism was swai-
here To- % run The American congress
Mr. Sell spoke IN this strain for half an hour,
and when n" finished half dozen members sprane
10 heir feet cllinoring Tor recognition. Amon-
Them vas MI Hepburn, who secured tn hoor WIN
a significant emphasis he said.
Mr. Speaker desire 70 withdraw the amend
Weut'
Thi. APPARENT effect % the working ~ the amend
mont was received With shouts Of laughter, In which
al tn members Joined.
III. adoption Of The proposition Of the NLvIIth
Congress 10 REGULATE the ascertanment Of a quorum
vas advocated by Mr.. Henderson CR"p. Iowa. be-
cause II would Doe cfcacious. and under present con
difions II could nO' be said that its adoption was
desired for partisan purposes merely. tn" aTfu-
f~nut upnn the amendment was largely conducted on
legal lines Nj Bailey dem. Tex discussed inc
difference between "A quorum and the quorum.
and a. - the eject OF the distinction on legislation
lie maintained that "A bill must receive the anlrma-
live votes Of a ma jJrity Of quorum OF the House
sneaker Reed took bric' part In the discussion.
antagnnizing the view taken by Mr.. Railcl OF the
decision Of the Supreme Court Of the United states
on the rule Of the List Congress regulating the
question II Mr. ISaey's position were correct. tn"
Sneaker said he must hold that no hill could pass
the House receiving less than eightyninc affirmative
votes. The discussion was continued by MI Grow
(Rcp. PENN. Mr. Catchngs N)em.. MISS ana Mt
McMillin Dem TENN. and at i55 O'Clock the
House adjourned until tomorrow.