20
THE CHEMAWA AMERICAN
tively. Custom has given a force almost equivalent to that of a law to
the practice of looking to the leaders to initiate resolutions, motions,
etc., relating to the house’s general work. By virtue of his position
the majority leader puts motions before the house if he is present and
in his absence the motion is made by someone representing him. In
case the minority is opposed to the majority’s action the work of open
ing and directing the opposition falls on the minority leader.
Custom has decreed that floor leaders of the parties in the house shall
agree to measures relating to the conduct of the house, such as an
agreement to desist from any important legislation until after the mea
sure pending before it has been acted on, for example, and although
there is no rule against such a proceeding, any member who tried to
interfere with this work would be regarded bv all concerned as an
offensive “ butter-in.”
Business in the house is expedited by the custom of unanimus con
sent which has come into general use. Instead of stating a proposition
in a motion on which the house may be divided, it is the custom to say,
I ask unanimus consent,” for whatever it may be desired to have the
house act on. The request is repeated by the speaker who asks if any
one objects. In the case of party measures there is usually no objec
tion to a majority request because it will carry anyway if voted on, pro
vided a quorum is present. This of course prevents a waste of time.
I he committee plan of the house is another feature that aids mater
ially in economizing time. The house has some 60 different com
mittees, the functions of which are suggested by their names. A bill
to be considered is referred to the appropriate committee either by its
author or by the speaker. When the committee returns a bill to the
house it is handled by the chairman of the committee to which it was re
ferred provided he is in favor of it. In case a minority report is made
the opposition is controlled by the ranking member of the committee.
His part in the action on the bill is an important one because he is al
lowed to take the floor for his side and is required to yield it only to
such persons as he desires. Thus he controls both the time and charac
ter of the debate. By reason of this privilege considerable importance
attaches to a chairmanship of a committee and to the position of rank
ing member of the opposing side.
Members are appointed to committees not so much on account of
special abilities as on account of seniority in service. Since all the im
portant work of the house is done by the committees, it is obvious that
the state which continues its representatives longest in office will enjoy
the maximum of influence in legislation. As a rule the South has nev
er changed its representation so much or so often as the North and
West have done; consequently the South is relatively stronger in the