The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-04-08

Speaker Reed began 70 explain his policy.
He said:
the house will perceive that the gen.
| tleman from Kansas (MT- Simpson, has
made no proposition whatever upon tbs
subject. He has simply stated his own
views. and the chair had thought that
perhaps il was best that the matter
should be stated and that the house
| should consider. So far as the power OF
the speaker is concerned. every one or
You who has made the subject a matter
OF consideration, understands that his
power is solely the power of the house.
and the house can at any moment change
the action which its representative sees
fit 10 indulge in. The house has the
power a all times, and while the rules
Of the house require certain committees
TO be appointed. there has always been
allowed 10 the chair a reasonable amount
OF discretion as 10 the time when they
should be appointed. Opportunity is al
ways allowed 10 the chair 20 find out
something about a member 50 that he
may do the duties which are imposed
upon him in the most intelligent way OF
which he is capable. II is not a rare
case that the speaker has not appointed
committees at once A congress which
mas been called together under tircum-
stances something ike the present. the
Forty-second. was presided over by a
very eminent man. Mr.. Blaine. and he
ueclined-not declined, bur did not see fit
to appoint committees. The matter was
brought up In the house and he gave his
reason therefor, and these reasons We're
approved by the house: at least no ac-
ton was taken by the house on the sub
ject. There are about $50 new members
in the house. Under ordinary circum-
stances the occupant OF the chair has
time from the fourth day OF March un-
Ill the first Monday IN December TO OBJ
tain information in regard 10 his fellow
members: but under the present circum-
stances there mas baen no opportunity.
We have been called together in extra
ordinary session and the question was.
what was the best course for US 10 pur-
sue; whether We should fail In appoint
ing the committees until such time as
would make the appointments more sui
table: or whether the public service was
in such a condition that tina; ought 10
be done Now the chair has had full
consultation with the various members
as ne has met them upon the subject.
and until this morning he supposed that
il was the unanimous feeling OF the
house that ii was not necessary 10 ap-
point the committees in taste. because
the public service did not require it. The
chair is sorry TO see that any gentleman
in the house has lent himself TO the sug-
gestions which are sometimes made OUT
side Of the house with regard 10 The pow
er Of the occupant OF the chair. Il IS a
power that is given 10 him by the house
for It's purposes. and its purposes alone.
not for any selfish purposes. not for him
to carry out any personal desires or de-
sgns OF his own. but 20 carry out the
wishes OF the house as he understands
them after faithful and conscientious
examination OF the subject. II the house
thinks that any occupant Of the chair is
not carrying out It's wishes, is not acting
as its representative. the remedy Is in
the hands Of the house AZ any time. and
the chair cheerfully welcomes any ac-
ton on the part OF the house. whose rep
resen tative ne is prolonged applause
on the Republican side)
Al 30 p. N. the house adjourned un-
Ill Saturday.