The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
A RETROSPECTIVE GLANCE.
SPEAKERS AUTOCRATIC POWER IN
THE 51sT CONGRESS-.

ing and the storm of Protests Ii
Called Forth-NO Crisp Has De-
veIOped in the Present Congress.
Washington, July S.-Speaker Reed is
still the colossal figure in Washington.
Neither the Hawaiian treaty nor the ef-
forts to free Cuba distract public atten-
tion from him. The efforts of the minor
ity to thwart him are growing feeble. In
comparison to the fight that was made
against him in the Fifty-first congress,
they seem puerile. II was in this fight
that Charles f. Crisp developed his superb
qualities as a leader. Richard P. Bland Of
Missouri, William NJ Springer Of Illinois,
John Henry Rogers of Arkansas, William
d. Bynum Of Indiana and W. c. z. BrecK-
inridge Of Kentucky were leutenants,
who were forever hanging on the TANKS of
the speaker and annoying him. John G.
Carlisle was prominent in the fight at the
beginning, but his selection as senator
from Kentucky sent him to the other wing
OF the capitol. where he was buried among
the senatorial grandees.
The situau lion then, though not the same,
was EOllGh nat SlllAAAdi W AAE S4AhaANAbtA "
day. In the Fifty-hrst congress the House
of Representatives began business with
out the adoption of any rules whatever.
In the present congress its action has been
guarded by the adoption of the rules of
the last House. This action gives Mr..
Reed a leverage which he did not have
in the Fifty-first congress.
MI. - tf, Of no Ia
House In the Fifty-hrst congress would
have left the House al the mercy of in
dividual filibusters. The scenes Of the
Fiftieth congress, where business was
impeded sometimes for weeks, would have
been repeated In the Fifty-first congress.
In the Flfty-first the House was run I'M
der general parliamentary law for more
than two months but the speaker constru-
ed general parliamentary law. 1t was not
until Jan. T. 1880, that a storm occurred. Mr..
Louis Z. McComas Of Maryland, now a
judge in the District Of Columbia, moved
that the House go into committee of the
whole on the state Of the union for the
consideration Of the District of Columbia
appropriation bill. under the rules of the
last House" This action aroused the
minority. It indicated that the majority
intended to use the rules Of the last House
when it served their purpose. and to do
without rules and trust to the speakers
rendition of general parliamentary law at
other times.
Mr.. Breckenridge raised the question of
The speaker refused to en-
terrain II, saying that such a question
could not be raised on a motion to go
into committee of the whole. Thereupon
Mr.. Breckenridge replied that 1t was not
simply a question of going into committee
of the whole but also a motion for the
temporary adoption of rules for the gov
of the House. The speaker in
sisting upon his ruling. an appeal was
taken. His decision was sustained by a
vote of 14z to 100 Mr.. BLAND of Missouri
called for tellers. The speaker ordered
them, and Mr.. McComas and Mr.. Breck-
inridge had taken their places at the
mouth of the main aisle, when the yeas and
nays were secured upon the demand OF
Maj. Mckinney. Then Mr. McComas
moved the previous question upon his res
olution. Mr.. Breckenridge, being recog-
nized, said: Pending that demand l
move that the House adjourn until Thurs
day The speaker put the question as a
motion to adjourn. and declared that 1t
was lost. When his attention was called
TO the fact that the motion was ito adj
Journ until Thursday" he replied that
such a motion was not in order and put
the motion on the demand for the previous
question, declaring that the ayes had it.
All this was done under general parlia-
mentary law. The minority was astounded
but contended itself with suppressed muir
Thirteen. days afterward, near
the close OF the days session, Mr.. Bland
moved that the House adjourn. The speak
er put the question and declared 1t lost.
Mr.. Bland called for a division. The MEM
oers rose and the speaker counted them.
He announced yeas 81, nays S. Mr.. Bland
questioned the count, saying, Let us have
1eltelg The gnaaEpr aaT fs
no provision for tellers," and recognized
Mr. Hit of Illinois Mr.. Bland insisted
upon tellers, but the speaker refused them
Then the Missourian demanded the yeas
and aays, and the speaker replied: 1T
seems 10 be too late to demand the yeas
and nays. Thereupon Mr.. Hit was rec
ognized and business proceeded
Thus IN the face OF his action on Jan.
Z, appointing teliers, on Jan. % the speak
er refused tellers on the demand Of the
same member. More than this he re-
fused to recognize a demand for the yeas
and nays guaranteed by this clause Of the
constitution: The yeas and nays Of the
members of either house on any question
shall at the desire Of one-hfth of those
present be entered on the journal"
such was the opening Of the great fight
OF the minority IN the Flfty-nrst con-
eress. IL was continued on Jan 90 The
House was sul without rules. Mr.. Da,zeu
OF pennsylvania, VINO Is to-day n promi-
nent figure on the floor. called up a resolu-
ton reported from the committee on cleo
tons unseatins James M. Jackson a rep
resentauve from West Virginia when
the yeas and nays were called only two
Of the minority voted. making the vote
three less chan a quorum. Speaker Reed
amid great confusion. named and counted
enough Of the minority 60 make a quorum.
ana announced that the House had agreed
TO consider the election case. Among those
recorded as present and not voting was
Mr. Outhwaiie N Ohio lie shouted: u
was not present when my name was CALI
ed. and the chair ls. therefore. stating
what Is not true His name. however
went upon the list. Mr. Crlsp repeatedly
shouted. u appeal from the decision ~
the chair The speaker paid no attention
20 HIM. lie refused 20 entertain any par
liamentary Inquiries until de- had named
the members Of the minority present lie
besea his action upon the constitution.
argued his right 10 count "a quorum for
half an hour. Then he recognized Mr..
Crisp, who again appealed from HIS deci-
sion, and said. u desire 20 bo heard on
this appeal" The speaker recognized
Judge Payson OF Illinois who moved 10
lay the appeal on the table. Mr. Crisp
shouted. Il claim thelieif to De- heard.
fIiNN artnINfnr rNT.taNf