The Portland daily press., 1890-07-12
WASHINGTON LOOKS TO THE SENATE
For Another Battle over the Federal
Election Bill.
Republicans Must Follow the Course
Adopted In the House
And Be Prepared to Put a Stop to
Democratic FIIIbusterIng.
Especial to the Press

WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE Senate in its
task of passing the federal election bill now
absorbs public interest here. That a crisis
is approaching which will test to the utmost
the ability of that body to legslate upon a
public question of transcending Importance
is regarded as certain in all quarters. Last
evening the Republican Senators held a eau
Gus and that prolonged consultation, while
it came to no formal result, disclosed pre-
ponderating sentiment in favor Of taking up
the federal election bill and putting it
through this session. As to how this shall
be done there is much perplexity. The Sem
ate has no previous question" whereby the
time of taking vote may be set and the
custom Is for 3T,,a all h the mem members to take
as much oueston 11@s as Tsys wSa Ancient
usage the Democrats propose to make use Of
to prevent action on the election bill.
They think they can talk until the end Of
this Congress II necessary; Upon a SUD
ject of which l know nothing | can talk
day." Senator Morgan of Alabama is re-
ported to have said, "and l think | can talk
forever ON a subject with which am fami-
liar" The most Of the younger Senators
are in favor Of meeting this Democratic pro-
gramme at once with rule that will close
older men like sherman and Edmunds. who
have been in the Senate for thirty years,
hesitate to break from its time-honored
tradition, although they recognize that the
body has outgrown the old ways.
This is not the first time crisis like this
has arisen. In 1871 an election bill was
killed by the Democrats flibustering in the
Senate. Bnt farther back than that, when
the shoe was on the other foot, famous
Democratic leader, no less man than
fhrnnOh
Kansas-N Nebraska bill against the efforts Of
the Wings by having recourse to meas
ure such as the Republicans are hesitating
to use now. Mr. Douglas introduced res
olution to engraft the previous, question upon
the Senate code and, although 1t was not
adopted, it served the purpose of discourag-
ing filibustering. 1t may be that the same
tactics will be used now. resolution like
that drawn by Mr.. Douglas can be framed
and held in reserve by the Republicans.
Then IL the Democrats persist in hlibuster-
ing, after full debate has been allowed, the
rule can be brought forward and used II
necessary. If there Is filibusteriDg against
the rule, the Republican. presiding officer
will be obliged, at such time as his
discretion and the sentiment Of the majority
may approve, to refuse to recognize
members further and put the question. This
is what the Speaker of the English House of
Commons did to end the famous filibuster-
ing of the Parnellites. Senator Spoouer
WHO Is Reu6Tdly IeBdIucu ho lcduiuS buo
contest on the Republican side, is radical
in favor of meeting and conquering the
Democrats at once, and his influence will
undoubtedly be in favor of new rule If
new rule shall be necessary. Another eau
Gus will be held tomorrow night, at which
some definite result will probably be reached.
Mr.. German, whose fine. Roman hand has
dominated Maryland politics so many years,
is to lead the Democratic opposition. He Is
the ideal leader for a. battle against meas
ure for promoting fairness Of elections
The President has appointed Colonel Nc
Cook to the brigadier gsneralship instead Of
Colonel G. II. Smith. Colon AMleCook Is an
Ohio man, and the Sherman influence -
credited with the promotion.
WASHINGTON, July 1L-Carrying out the
instructions of the Republican senatorial
caucus held last night, Chairman Edmunds
has appointed Senators Hoar, Spooner,
Frye, Moody, Aldricb, Sherman and ingalls,
to report as a caucus committee upon the
question Of changing the rules of the Senate
to provide for the closure of debate at the
will of the majority and ascertain and re-
port how that result can be attained II
deemed necessary.