The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-01-19

STANDARD, SATURDAY, ia
II ..ss..a,.e-.ss--.
stars and stripes now float are part
of the United States-in other words
that the constitution follows the flag
the. tariff laws which impose a tax on
Porto Rican products will be nullified,
and trade with that country will be as
free as between Minnesota and Wis
consin.
The supreme court is the interpreter
of the legislative acts of congress, and
that being so the members of that
body should be chosen by the people
The courts decision is being awaited
with interest because it will determine
whether the supreme court is true to
it's high ideals of Marshall's time or
is dominated and Influenced by politi.
cal bias. I touch on this matter to
show that the highest judicial tribunal
is not invulnerable to political or par.
tisan influence, and will not be so long
as its members are appointed by the
president for political reasons. There.
fore the people should elect judges and
senator's.
Parliamentary law is closely inter.
woven with the principles underlying
and leading up to these necessary re.
forms. The future will need men of
ability we'll versed in political economy
and parliamentary practice. Our young
men should study parliamentary law.
Irish boys are naturally bright, and
there is no reason or excuse for their
tagging behind. Young men of Amer
lean parentage make special study of
parliamentary practice, and even
young women in this city are learning
how to conduct an assembly.
A short time since read of young
man who rose from the humble posi-
tion of page to a seat in congress; and
long before he took his place in con-
gress he was an expert parliamentary
an. The speaker of the house used to
consult him on points and rule as he
advised.
knowledge of any kind is no bur-
den, and our young men should store
their minds with useful information.
This advice is particularly intended for
the members of No. Z of the A. o. H.
There are more young men under 80
in No. than in the other divisions.
l should be pleased to see them bril-
liant leaders in the business, profess
sional and political life Of the commu-
nifty, and you can be prominent if you
try. All that is necessary is to study,
observe and reflect. Get standard
work on parliamentary procedure, read
it carefully and utilize the division
meetings to put your knowledge in
practice. Make every motion you can
think of, enter objection when you
see an opening, and call the president
down if he becomes too officious or
assumes prerogatives that do not be-
long to his office.
This motion to lay on the table is
motion to suspend the
of question during the
pleasure Of the house. 1t carries with
it all the questions on which it is
moved. If it be moved OH the main
question, then all amendments go with
it. If moved on the amendment, then
the main question goes on the table
also. This is upon the solid ground
that you cannot go on with an amend
ment when the main question is no
longer before the house, and cannot
go on with the main question, when
there exist amendments liable. to be
called up at the pleasure of the house.
The motion to lay on the table is not
lebatable, and cannot be amended.
A motion to postpone to a day GER
tain is debatable, but the debate does
not involve the merits of the main
question; it is also amendable and in
ferior to the motion to adjourn.
A motion to postpone indefinitely is
debatable and the debate involves the
merits, of the main question. This mo-
ton cannot be amended.
The previous question is not debat-
able and cannot be amended. If the
previous question is decided in the af-
firmative, then the presiding officer at
once. without debate, proceeds to put
first the amendments pending and then
the main question.
The object Of an amendment Is to
SO change the main proposition that it
may more nearly conform to the judy
ment of the assembly. In all modern
assemblies the right to originate and
the right to amend are indisputable.
can be made in three
ways: First, by inserting words; Sec
ond, by striking out words; third, by
out words and inserting 9TH
ers.
Amendment to the amendment may
be offered; Here, however, the pro-
cess must end, for there must be
limit, or confusion would ensue. If the
to the amendment is not
satisfactory to the assembly it can be
voted down and then a new amend
ment will be in order, which, in its
turn, can be rejected or adopted, as