New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-25
POWERS OF THE SPEAKER.
SERIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION
RAISED.
JOINT RESOLUTION PASSED BY BOTH
HOUSES OF CONGRESS AND SIGNED
BY THE vIcE-PREsIDENT FocK-
ETED BY MIR. REED.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE raiBuxE.1.

ETED BY MR. REED.
iBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBuSEl,
Washington. April 24.-The decision Of Speak
er Reed to retire from public life has opened
the lips OF certain Of the clerks OF the two
houses OF Congress, and given to the country
incident that otherwise would probably have
not been much talked about. 1t relates TO the
exercise OF the power OF the Speaker OF the
House in such q way as ceriousy TO question
its constltutionality In the first session OF the
last Congress the Senate committee made
favorable report and the Senate passed joint
resolution ordering the compilation and pubca-
tion in one volume OF all the treaties and con-
vertions with foreign Powers from 1II6 to date
There is at present volume of this sort bring
ing the treaties down to 1889 but since that
time some important conventions and agree
ments have been entered into. and the commit
tee believed these should be compiled with the
others for the convenience Of the members OF
Congress. the various departments and the pub
lie The work would have cost in the neighbor-
hood of $1,000.
MIGHT SET DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.
The House passed the resolution in the closing
hours Of the first session. and the Joint resolu-
ton, having been previously signed by the Vice
President was laid before the Speaker for his
signature. Mr.. Reed put it aside and declined
to sign II. The business OF Congress is not
interrupted by a recess. and when the second
session convened Speaker Reeds attention was
called to the resolution. which the records
showed he had not yet signed. Mr. Reed for
some unknown reason declined to sign the
resolution. and this condition of affairs lasted
throughout the whole Congress. that resolution.
properly passed by the two houses engrossed
and signed by the Vce-Presdent the part
OF the Senate, remaining in the possession OF the
Speaker when the Congress went out of exist
ence. Among those who knew the facts there
was much comment over what was said to be
an arbitrary act OF the Speaker. The incident
caused some serious discussion in the Commit
tee on Enrolled Bills, and II was believed that
If the matter were permitted to go unchallenged
a dangerous precedent would be established.
For some reason. however no public notice was
ever taken OF this refusal of the Speaker TO
perform the mandatory duties prescribed for
that official by Congressional enactment In pur-
suance OF the authority OF the Constitution.
1t is said by those who are conversant with
this refusal OF the Speaker to afix his signature
TO the resolution that he stepped entirely with
out the bounds Of his powers. They contend
that in such matters the duties OF the Speaker
are simply administrative, and that after the
House has once acted the Speaker is compelled
to put his name to the bill or resolution as an
evidence Of the fact merely that the House mas
acted
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ALARMED.
The Constitution gives to the President only
the power to decline 10 approve the enactments
OF Congress. II 1t is admitted that the presid-
ing officer OF either house OF Congress can with
hold his signature 10 a bill resolution all
le gislaton could be effectually stopped, for the
signatures Of the proper officers are the only
guarantee that the matters 10 which those sig
natures have been affixed have been properly
acf he
gress. II the Speaker could refuse to Sign a
Joint resolution. which Is. perhaps. OF little or
no importance the assumption OF such authority
might in the hands OF Speaker so minded.
extend to legislation OF the most vital impor-
lance. 1t Is the extent 10 which so dangerous a
Precedent might drift that has alarmed mem
iers Of Congress familiar with the incident, but
at the same time the leaders in the House, fear
ing the power OF the Speaker, have dreaded to
raise an issue which they believed would call
down on their heads the wrath Of the man
whose power in the body OF which they are
members has been almost supreme.
Mr. Reeds intention TO retire has, however
Embossed several tongues, and what at the last
session was only limited at is now being boldly
discussed and denounced as usurpation Of
lower.