Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-19
EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE SENATE
WEDNESDAY, March 10.

Mr.. Wright asked 20 take up his resolution
looking 70 the adoption of the previous question
in the Senate, and to provide a modification OF
the regulations for conducting business.
Mr.. Thurman objected TO taking up such an
important resolution as this at this time. IL
proposed an entire change in the manner OF
conducting the business of the Senate.
Mr.. Wright said IL was well known that much
valuable time was constantly wasted in the Sen
ate in struggles TO get up particular business
and in Irrelevant discussion.
Mr.. Sherman said with him il was a conyic-
ton that sooner or later the Senate must alter
its rules, that something must be done 10 limit
discussion and facilitate business. or course
nothing could be done at this session. but this
subject should be referred 10 the committee on
rules that they might report on IL az the next
session.
Mr.. Bayard opposed any restriction upon de-
bate in the Senate. He was opposed 70 any
in this body.
Mr. Carpenter concurred in the views of Mr.
Bayard, and said he should never give his vote
to limit debate in this Senate.
Mr. Thurman s~id Tho moment tho senate
should adopt the previous question, from that
time the power and influence of the Senate
would begin to decline. The Senate Was ike
the courts, il could transact the most business
with the fewest and simplest rules. The more
Senators trust each other, the more they are
thrown on their individual responsibility. and
the more expeditiously and agreeably the pub
he business will be transacted.
Mr.. Wright said il this debate had satisfied
him Of anything, II was as to the propriety OF
referring this subject to the committee ON rules.
His motion was simply 10 take up the resolu-
ton, and i'm the very face OF the rules a long
discussion had ensued on the merits of the mat.
ter proposed TO be taken up.
Mr.. Stewart doubted whether the rules could
be so amended as to supply the desired remedy
but he favored the inquiry being made.
Ine motion to take mp the resolution was no,
Mr.. Anthony called up his resolution direct
ing the Commissioners OF Agriculture TO trans
mt his last annual report to the Senate.
The Vice President then laid before the
Senate the report Aforesaid; and on motion of
Mr. Anthony 1t was referred TO the committee
on agriculture and ordered to be printed
Mr.. West asked to take up his resolution
authorizing the committee on the levees of the
Mississippi TO sit during the recess, with a view
TO an inquiry into the propriety Of the national
government assuming the care and maintenance
OF the same.
Mr.. Ferry Conn raised the point OF order
that the resolution was in the nature of legisla-
ton and could not be entertained.
The Vice President sustained the point Of
order.
The unfinished business. being the resolution
declaring the seat OF Alexander Caldwell, of
Kansas, vacant, was then taken up.
Mr.. Conkling being entitled to the eoor, said
II free institutions were to remain unsnllied
then all interference with the freedom OF cleo
tons must be stamped ont. Stuffing ballet
boxes, employing reporters, classifying counts,
Forging returns, pointing elections in the legs-
appliances-all these must be put down by the
strong hand. If the committee had proved
that any Of these things had been done ina the
case at bar. then the blow should fall, crush
whom ii may, more snned against than SHINING
though he be, no individual considera
tons should arrest the stroke. But the
Senate must keep within the law. III the
law is exceeded, then Senators themselves be-
come usurpers and ministers OF wrong. II the
law is rahscended, they become not the de-
Tenders but the enemies Of order and public
virtue.