The age-herald., 1898-01-02
DUTY IF TIE OBJECTOR
To Bob Up at Every Opportunity
 Like a Parrot.
OBSTRUCTER OF LEGISLATION
Mr. Cummings Describes What He Terms the Toadstoole of the House-Delight of De-
 laying Legislation to Show Power.

Rich and nourishing is the soil of legis- lation in Washington. Almost beyond be- lief are it's productive and reproductive qualities, but when fertilizers are used they are absolutely marvellous. Many choice and nutritious plants spring to the surface, but among them are many worthless weeds. Among the weeds small groups of fungus growth obtrude themselves. The most re- markable of these fungi is the objector, alias the obstructor of legislation. He is the toadstool of the house, although he develops far more rapidly than the toad stool. Nor do his foliations turn black and shrivel; they become hardened, and preserve their color, lasting almost inva- riably to the end of the term. Like all fungass plants, this toadstool never ger inmates. It arises from the spawn of par liamentary practice. The general public takes these outgrowths for mushrooms, and this mistake is sometimes fostered in the newspapers. They are not mushrooms, but the genuine amanita phalloides. There may be an occasional mushroom among them, but it quickly becomes impregnated with their poison, and usually develops the same deadly qualities.
 The objector has already sprung up In the present house of representatives. His presence was manifest In the extra ses- sion, and he will undoubtedly increase in size after the holiday recess. His pow CT has been increased by the development of the Reed rules. These rules. as they stand today, make no provision for the consideration of any bill involving appro- priations, except the appropriation bills themselves. They alone are privileged, and have the right of way at all timeS Bills that do not involve appropriations go upon the house calendar. and may be con- sidered in the morning hour upon the call of committees Similar bills involving ap- propriations, however small go upon the union calendar and are never reached un- der the rules, except by the special order of the committee on rules. The only way in which they can be brought before the house. aside from this. Is by the unanimous consent of the house, provided the speak CTS recognition for unanimous consent can be obtained When such recognition Is given the objector is in his glory The time for him to distinguish himself has arrived. After listening to the reading of the bill, he usually arises, as though governed by an overwhelming sense of duty, and says, "Mr. Speaker, I object" The speaker re- gards him fxedly for several seconds, and then says. Objection is made"
 Work of the Objector.
 This ends the matter. The member who has been recognized usually resumes his seat in disappointment Occasionally, how ever, he visits the objector and pleads with him to withdraw his opposition, but us- ually in vain. At times he has the te- merity to openly appeal to his sense of justice. The objector listens with an ap- parent desire to please, but finally insists upon his objection, and the bill IS again buried on the calendar.
 The injustice of this system of legisla- ton is clearly apparent In one case a . merchant in New York paid under protest excessive duties levied by an appraiser. He appealed to the board of appraisers. Before they had rendered a decision the collector had turned the money into the treasury. It could not be returned to the importer ,.ithout an act of congress. A bill providing for its return was intro- duced, and promptly reported from the committee on aims. It went upon the calendar. There it remained until the speaker recognized a member who asked unanimous consent for its consideration, The bill was read by the clerk but the in- evitable objector was on hahd. He lis- tened to no explanations, and the session