New-York tribune., 1911-02-15
RETTER DAYS ~ TIE HOUSE.

The beneficial effect of the changes
made last year in the rules of the House
OF Representative has been suikingly
demonstrated in the action Of that body
On the Canadian reciprocity agreement.
No one familiar with the procedure
which prevailed under the old system
will seriously question the statement
that had it been still in force no action
OH the reciprocity agreement could have
been obtained at this session. The es-
sence Of the old order was the delegation
to the Speaker Of practical veto power
on legislation. No bill which be did not
approve and as to whose details he had
not been consulted in advance could be
submitted to the House. The parlia-
mentary power put in his hands did not.
Of course. extend far enough TO prevent
the House from voting to consider
measure. properly reported from a COM
mittee when reached in its order; but
the political power vested in him as the
rhaker Of the committees and as the sup
posed responsible representative Of the
will Of the majority precluded the use
OF the machinery OF the House TO facli!-
tate action on any measure which in his
judgment il was better TO let slumber IN
committee or On the calendar
In other days the Speaker was the
recognized agent Of the House. whose
function it was TO consult on behalf of
the majority with the administration
o,d +y,o ,,oo io-.itv ooda-S in tha Soma ra
when any important legislation was to
be undertaken. He was political fac
tor Of the first consequence, whose as
sant to a legislative project was con-
sdered 70 carry with ii the assent OF
the body over which be presided. But
the new rules have changed all that.
The enforced retirement of the Speaker
from the Rules Committee and the de-
termination Of the House to make the
experiment Of naming its own commit
tees and acting on its own initiative
have circumscribed the Speakers infu-
ence. giving him only that weight in the
maiority's councils to which his expert
ence and capacity as a member entitle
him
II would have been difficult two years
ago 10 conceive Of a successful effort in
the Ways and Means Committee TO re-
port a bill TO which the Speaker was
opposed and consideration Of which by
the House he publicly deprecated. Mr..
Mccall and the other Republican men,
berS Of the committee who voted to re-
port the reciprocity bill would have felt
two years ago that they We're 10 be
marked for punishment for defying an
unwritten party law. They would have
been sharply disciplined by the House
organization when the time came again
for naming committees. as Nr. Cannon
not long ago disciplined the Western
insurgents who refused to recognize his
authority and tried TO defeat him for re-
election at the opening Of the 61st
Congress. Under the new order how
ever. thought is free, and the Repun-
licars who want 70 see President Taft's
programme Of reciprocity with Canada
carried into effect can exercise their
right to ask consideration for a bill.
whether they have the Speakers ap-
proval or NOT. That is n noteworthy ad-
vance toward f-government in the
House and the revival there of spirit OF
legislative responsibility. based on the
unhindered ascertainment Of the will Of
the majority on any question as IL
arises.