It was, therein, clearly pointed out that such an arrangement would prevent paralysis or inaction in Congress.

With the Administration proposing its measures directly to Congress, discussion of them and decisions upon them could not be avoided.
But such a public forum could not be established without sweeping away many intrenchments of factional interest and private opportunity, and this was not at all the purpose of the committee on rules.

It took its character and direction from an old feud between Morrison and Randall.
Morrison, as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 1876, had reported a tariff reform measure which was defeated by Randall's influence.

Then Randall, who had succeeded to the Speakership, transferred Morrison from the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee to the chairmanship of the committee on public lands.

But Morrison was a man who would not submit to defeat.