The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-11

ly compelled TO call each name twice,
and time is lost In ascertaining whether
the member has responded
The proposition of an electrically trans
mitted roll call originated in the mind OF
Representative Peter J. otey OF Virginia.
He was informally encouraged to investi-
gate the project, it being understood
that a favorable report would be follow
ed by formal acceptance on the part OF
the House.
PROJECT FEASIBLE.
The architect of the capitol under
whose jurisdiction the proposed change
would ccme has reached the conclu-
sion that the project is entirely feasible,
and recommends its adoption. The ar
chitect suggests three distinct features:
a visible record OF the vote, a duplicate
record which shall constantly be under
the eye OF the tally clerk. and third
record which shall be in the nature OF
permanent or official record
The principal feature OF the device Will
consist of a large board TO be placed inn
inediatey above and back OF the speak
er's desk. I'm plain view OF every mem
Der.
The board shall be divided into spaces
so that each member shall have space
which shall bear his name and be per-
nanently his The name Will be In black
upon white porcelain glass. There shall
be two smaller spaces at the right OF Q
name. one marked AYE" and one marked
may"
The tally clerk shall have Immediately
under his eye. upon his desk, board
precisely similar 20 the large one, upon
scale of possibly one TO five.
Then. close at hand, within easy view
the third or permanent official record
shall be placed. This will be similar 10
the smaller record save that as each vote
is recorded the device will punch a hole
I'm the card I'm the space marked aye
or may" as the case may be. 1t Is also
proposed that this last or official feature
shall he provided with "a mechanism for
automatically counting the ayes and
nays as they may he electrically sent
in so that when the last vote has been
recorded the total will be Immediately
available for use OF the speaker In an
nouncing the totals.
The official sheet. which may alse be
i'm duplicate. may then be handed to the
official reporters who place it In the
proper channel leading TO the govern
ment printing office, where the follow
ing morning Il will he inserted in the
Congregational Record.
THREE PUSH BUTTONS.
OF each member of the House three
button panel, one marked aye" and one
may" and ono present. not voting
Let is be supposed a roll call has been
demanded. The officer In charge Of the
mechanism. presumably the tally clerk.
throws i'm a switch which will complets
half the electrical circuit, which includes
the three divisions mentioned above. The
same action illumines the board, or rather
makes luminous tho names thereon ~
member desiring TO vote may do - ~
any time within the prescribed limit, arA
instantly the vote will appear upon the
board. In case he has voted AYE"
small red disk will appear At tbs right -
his name.
At the same time q miniature red dish
will have lighted up the space % the
small board under the eye o9 the enily
clerk. and tho punching device viii have
punched out the word aye opposite his
name on the official or permanent sheet.
In case he votes may" q green disk Win
appear on the boards and ''nay~ nv ~
punched from the official list.
In case he should be ';paireds VII
some absent member, yet oasireo ne yeoa
ord to show that he was In his aeaA hG
will press tho button marked 'pseesnA
not voting" and this record ~ ba
made on all three boards - dgnd IN
this case being white.
As separate wire wiz run from uasn
members desk TO the three tsardA che
vote OF the entire House might ~ made
simultaneously, provided each nmben
pressed his button at the same mDoneaA
The device will not only save nine
tenths Of tho timo now uselessfy con-
sumed but IL viii make lrnpossibio thA
practice or hlibustering. ~ killing tims.
Under the present system the minority
may block legislation indefinitely and the
majority seems powerless 20 prevent ~
T1is rs directly the result % the greal
length Of time required - call the roll.
Before the possibilities Of parliamentary
procedure are exhausted. . dozen roll
calls may be demanded. ana BY this tirns
the day has been consumed and nothin8
accomplished. Under the electrical vote
ing system fllhusterins would cease 90
the committee on rules could limit tho
time CT voting TO one minute if desired.
IL Is estimated that tha device at ite
installation would cost approximately
$4,000. On the basis Of . saving Of sfse
on each roll call ths new electrical dc<