The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-06-28
SENATE CUSTOMS.
III Secretary George g. Gorham Ma rate
Some OF uis ObserNationS.

Some of uis observations
Debate in the Senate is entirely free.
The only way debate can bc cut oil by
the majority and vote ON me,suro
be competed is by refusing To adjourn.
II the minority is a small one, con-
tinuous session OF two or throo days
and nights will usually bring II TO
terms. In such case members of tho
majority can relieve each other and
get some rest, still leaving enough con-
stantly on guard TO vote down an ad-
iournment
II the minority weary OF speech,
there is still another method for OBJ
structing vote, and that Is by alter
nate motions TO adjourn and go into
executive session. These motions are
always in order and are not dcbatable.
and the yeas and nays can bc ordered
on them every time 10y ono-ifth OF the
Senators present Sixteen members
are onc-6lth OF the Senate as IL Is now
constituted. A minority strong enough
To keep that number always In the
Senate chamber without any being
continuously deprived OF rest could
revolutionize the Government
When the debate begins the effect Is
TO relieve Senators from further alton
tion TO the business in hand. Some
member, charged with the subject,
commences speech 20 which half n
dozen may listen some OF the time.
Others commence writing letters to
their constituents. some go 10 their
committee rooms, and still larger
number repair TO the cloak-room to
smoke, tell stories and do little log
rolling for measures OF their own. The
two cloak-rooms open directly out of
the Senate chamber. They are spacious
and comfortable, well supplied with
sofas and easy chairs. The Democrats
use one OF these and the Republican q
the other. There are legends Of an
Oldcn time when some OF the old boys
Of the Senate INDUCED themselves In
IA convivial way in some OF tho com.
mittoe rooms, but the better opinion
now prevails that they are all very
circumspect. In the Senate restaurant.
whore the sale OF liquors and wines is
strictly forbidden, the sinful caterer
appeals from the rules TO the higher
law. and serves whatever Is called for
This Is an Improvement upon the time.
not twenty-five years ago, when liquors
were dispensed from "A regular bar In
the Capitol, in an out-of-thc-way room,
known as the 'holc in the wall"
1t was my fortune for eleven years To
have access To the Senate in secret Sos
sion ~ secretary of that body. Slow
rs the Senate is in changing. | saw two
hundred different mon sit as Senators
during that time. When left IL TO
make way for one OF the oppositc q
party then dominant, IL contained but
four who had been members when !
entered It's service My observation In
tho executive sessions OF tho Senate
lead me 10 the opinion that the aver
ago man, like the average boy, be-
havos himself better before folks than
he does In private groups. Not that
any thing goes on behind the closed
doors OF an unscemly character. Tho
proceedings are as orderly rs at other
times, bearing a little relaxation in
way OF moving about and smoking
But men do not always vote rs they
would under the public eye. Scenes
from the School for Scandal arc
sometimes enacted by the picking 20
pieces Of private character. and, on
the other hand, unsayory regulations
are sometimes mended by the parLiali-
" OF strong, personal friendship.
1t is "A fact which Is not generally
/ known that the Senate sat at all times
with closed doors during the first six
/ years after tho Government went into
/ operation under the Constitution. Not
| even the members Of the House OF Rop-
rcsentativcs were permitted 10 invade
It's hiding-placc A resolution pro-
viding that "thc doors OF tho Senate
! chamber shall be open when tho SEN
ate is sitting In their legislative ca
pacity. 20 the end that such Of the citi.
zens Of the United States as may choose
90 hear the debates OF this house may
have an opportunity OF so DOING was
voted down April 80, 1890, just one
year after Washington's first inaugu
ration, and the Same proposition was
rejected at the two following sessions.
On the 18th OF April, 1892, some bolc
and venturcsome Senator made mo-
tion 90 admit the members OF the
House OF Representatives 20 attend the
debates OF the Senate when sitting IN
lis legislative capacity. II received
but affirmative votes against is In
the negative. On the 9th OF Dccom
Der 1895, sccrcsy was abolished except