The Washington herald., 1908-04-04
Who Is Master of the House? ?

II il were true that the majority of
the House is in control Of its business.
or even that the Republican majority is
in control OF II, as was triumphantly as
serted by Mr. Payne at the outset OF
Thursdays filbuster, there would be no
ground Of complaint about the legislative
methods of that body But il is notori-
Gus that neither or these things is true
The House is wholly under the domina-
ton Of the Speaker and his lieutenants.
and the sentiment Of the majority
whether majority Of Republicans or Of
Republicans and Democrats together. has
practically no influence over the course
Of legislation. Mr. Williams is giving an
ocular demonstration Of this fact that
ought 10 make an impression on the
country for there is no more crying evil
in our national life than the degradation
Of the House Of Representatives TO a
mere parliamentary mob under the COM
plete control OF one or two OF three men
without whose consent no proposition of
any consequence can be brought TO
vote
The House rules have often been de-
Tended as necessary in order TO permit
the responsible majority TO transact the
public business free from dilatory or fill
| clustering tactics on the part Of a minor
ity. So far as the present rules con-
tribute to this end. they are justiiable.
and no modification Of them is likely to
be made by any party that would reduce
the House 10 the helplessness of the Sen
ate under the factious opposition of
minority. But the rules have done much
more than bestow on the majority re-
| sponsibility for legislation. with power TO
enforce that responsibility. They have
thrown both power and responsibility
| into the hands Of the Speaker and his
/ friends. TO that extent throttling the ma
| jorty on the floor. Rules alleged TO be
/ intended TO facilitate the business of the
/ House are. in fact. utilized to prevent
I needed legislation and to thwart legiti-
mate expression Of the legislative will
| The Speaker blocks all measures save
those which have his express sanction.
and nothing can even get before the
/ House TO which he does not openly or
! tacitly consent. Congress" said Mr..
I Williams. in Thursdays debate. lis the
master. not the servant. OF it's standing
| committees" but that body would not
instruct its committees 10 bring in Iegis-
lation carrying out the views OF the ma
! jority. and il appears that the House mas
surrendered the power to order a com
mittee TO report a particular bill The
House, in fact. Is utterly helpless to take
up and pass any particular piece Of legis-
lation, and no member. or group of mem
] IL tl,,
compel the House 10 go on record on any
specific proposition that has not in each
case been indorsed by the ruling powers
Parliamentary strategy may sometimes
/ effect what cannot be accomplished as
matter Of legislative right as Mr.. Sims
the other day secured the passage Of the
anti-gambling provision as an amendment
TO pending BILL but as general prin-
ciple the hands OF the House are securely
tied by the rules and traditions, which. in
effect. confer autocratic authority over
legislation on a single officer.
There is a growing restlessness among
members Of Congress over the rigor OF
the House rules. and their relaxation is
probably only a matter OF time No one
would object If they were applied to pro-
cure results. as they were in Speaker
Reeds time. but when they are so ap-
piled as TO prevent results and to restrict
and embarrass reform legislation. as
they have been during the incumbency OF
the present Speaker. it is time for a gen
eral uprising against them. Moreover. II
the House is not to lose all semblsnce to
deliberative and legislative body, it
must demand the restoration Of the au-
thority over legislation which has been
surrendered by successive grants to it's
presiding officer. The House majority
has certainly reached pitiable stage OF
subordination when It can be meekly
forced to vote down its own sentiments
al the behest Of a partisan zealot like