The morning call., 1890-08-03
CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
Blair Defends His Resolution Changing tn.
Rules.

Blair Uefends his hesoiuLion CnanglnS tne
Rules.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.-The Senate met
at 10 o'clock. On the call of the roll forty
nine Senators-Six more than quorum
were present.
The resolution offered yesterday by Blair,
instructing the Committee on Rules to re-
port within four days rule for the incor-
poration of the previous question, or of
some method of limiting and closing debate
in the parliamentary procedure of the SEN
ate, was taken up. Blair said that several
Senators had spoken TO him, indicating
their desire to be heard before action
should be taken in the matter, and who
were not ready to proceed. He should,
therefore, not press the resolution this
morning, but he desired to say that he had
offered the resolution not with special refer
ence to any pending bill, but with feeling
that there was a necessity tor the proposed
change. The period has arrived when in
the transaction of the cOuntry'S business
the Senate must have some way by which
the large number of important pubic
measures could be decided As it now was
the whole business OF the country was at
the mercy of one or two individuals who
might be opposed to a measure. The ma
j0rity was practically under control of the
minority. Nobody could complain that
there had been disposition to procrasti-
udlt VI W OuStluCb lDC UIuilldlN CUuISt VI
debate and decision on the Tariff Bill, yet,
although the Senate had already spent ten
days upon it, only fifteen PAGES had been
disposed Of out OF a total of 1S2 pages in
the bill, and all the great subjects for dis
cussion, sugar, reciprocity, etc., were still
to come. There was no reason to suppose,
therefore, that under the existing rules the
bill will be concluded before next Decem-
Der. He had offered the resolution with
view not to any pending measure. but with
the view to fundamental, radical, indis-
pensable change in the parliamentary pro
cedure of the Senate.
Blair's resolution to provide for the pre-
vious question or some other mode of limit
ing debate has been referred TO the Com
mittee on Rules.
Morgan reminded Blair of the long time
six or seven weeks-consumed in consid-
GRAFTON of tile Education Bill. He said that
time had not been wasted, as the result of
the discussion of that bill had been its de-
feat. Just as lie hoped debate on the Talif Bill
would result In the defeat OF that measure.
The resolution was referred 10 the Committee
Rules.
Plumb offered concurrent resolution, and
asked that II lie over until Monday to the effect
that Congress desires the removal of the re-
mains OF the illustrouS soldier and statesman,
U. s. Grant to and their interment I'm the Ar
lingt0n National Cemetery, and the President is
requested TO convey to the widow such desire,
rendering TO her, on behalf OF the nation, all
necessary facilities ior such re moval and inter-
ment.
The Tariff Bill was then taken up, the ques-
tion being upon Vests amendment to reduce the
duty on decorated china to 80 per cent ad
vai0rem and on plain white china 10 40 per cent
Instead OF GO aud 90 per cent as In The House
bill and DO aud 90 per cent as proposed by the
Finance Committee.
The amendment was discussed pro aud con at
length.
German thanked Allison for his frank state
ment
After a further discussion OF the chnaware
paragraph George took the floor and made a long
speech on the general subject of the tariff.
Platt replied and denounced an assertion made
by George to the effect that while the duty on
steel rails was S11 ton, the labor In producing
the article cost only 81 "a. The fact was that II
the production Of ton of steel cost S24, the
labor portion OF that cost was not only 81 54,
but three times that amount.
Jones OF Arkansas supported Georges state
ment about steel rails, aud also spoke on chiua-
ware matters appropos of which lie read from
chase by an English syndicate OF various glass
ware lac cries, aud said the effect OF tariff egis-
lation was 10 encourage SUCH trusts aud syndi-
Gates.
Regan warned the Senators that the farmers
alliance and worklngmen's association are not
to be ignored.
conference was ordered on the Sundry Civil
intending TO move an adjournment, proposed
tnat vote on the pending question be taken on
Monday without further discussion.
Take vote now. We are ready. We are
always ready to vote as soon as discussion is
over" were the responses from several Senators
on tue Democratic side.
AldIich did not think there was a quorum
present, but he was willing to try. A vote was
taken on Vests amendment and the result was:
ayes II, noes 20. No quorum.