The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-02
REED AND THE CoNsTIrUr1oy.
Senator MerEan's Resolution a. to the Present
status or the House.

WASHINGTON. June 1.-The Republicans in
the House of Representatives. including Speaker
Reed and the Committee on Rules, are not at
all disconnected by the attacks made upon them
and their legislative programme by a portion Of
the Democratic side OF the House under the
present leadership of Representatives James
Hamilton Lewis of Washington and Jerry Simp-
son of Kansas.
In his speech to-day Representative Grosvenor
characterized the bombardment OF the Repub-
lican side OF the House as the throwing Of
paper wads, and there is every indication
that as long as the Republicans as a body
indorse the programme OF the Speaker 1t
will be carried out. Tho Republicans
insist that the House is in session merely for the
purpose Of carrying out the Presidents recon-
mendation regarding tariff and financial legisla-
ton. and there is now no secret about their in
tention to follow the passage OF the Tariff bill in
the Senate by the enactment OF a measure
authorizing the appointment OF a currency COM
mission in accordance with the
tions in the Presidents inaugural message. It
Is not at all likely that there will be any special
legislation at this session beyond the authorize.
tion Of this commission, and IL Is the well-under-
stood programme OF the leaders TO pass the
Tariff and Currency Commission bills and add
journ.
The House leaders laugh at the contention of
Senator Morgan that the House is not constitu-
tionally in session because It adjourned for three
days when without "a quorum, but Senator Nor.
gan intends 10 force the question TO debate and
insists that he will keep 1t before the Senate un.
I'll the Judiciary Committee shall formally pass
upon 1t. Probably tomorrow he will introduce
n resolution providing that Congress is not con
stitutionally organized and have II referred TO
the Judiciary Committee for report.
Senator Lindsay OF Kentucky, a good lawyer
and a member OF this committee, referring to-
day to Senator Morgan's intention to introduce
the resolution, said:
Il believe the committee will sustain the con-
~tention of Senator Morgan. The Constitution
clearly defines the power OF the House as well
as that OF the Senate. II says that either house
can transact business with a quorum; that II a
quorum Ia not present either house can take
steps TO secure one. 1t also says that without "A
quorum either house can adjourn over from
day to day. This seems TO fix the power of the
House. II now the House can adopt a rule
which Is paramount TO the Constitution. which
can set aside and suspend the Constitution.
there Will be no question rs TO the legality of the
Tarin bill or any other measure which might be
passed by this Congress.
For my part. however, I do not think IL Is
constitutional for either house to ad journ over
for more than one day in the absence OF a quo
rum: and j believe that by so doing any meas
ure which we might pass will be jcopardizcd. I
believe the on Judiciary will uphold
the point made by Senator Morgan hould n
resolution come before ii. l believe. moreover,
that the supreme Court would sustain the con
tcntion as we'll"
A large majority OF members Of both houses re.
gard Senator Morgan attitude as absurd, and
state that the precedent and authorities are ali
on the side OF Speaker Reed.