Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-25
HARMONY DISTURBED
Republican and Democratic Senators
Agree, But Mr.. Plumb Objects.
A LIMIT TO TARIFF DEBATE.
Conference Report on the Sundry
Civil Bill.
RESPECT TO Mr.. WATSoNS MEMORY.
A LIMIT TO TARIFF DEBATE.
RESPECT TO Mr.. WATsoNs MEMORY.
SENATE.

who had offered amendments, it went over till
tomorrow
AS TO CLOSING THE DEBATE ON THE SENATE BILL.
The tariff bill was then taken up.
Mr. Aldrich referred to the unusual length
OF the discussion that has taken place on the
tariff, and said that that fact and the
knowledge (shared by alb that the business of
the country was in a state of anxious suspense
awaiting the result of the Senate's delibera-
ton led him to ask Senators on the other side
to consider the question of fixing the date of
closing the debate and of having final vote
on the passage Of the bill. He made this sug-
gestlon not for the purpose of preventing
ample discussion on the remaining paragraphs
In the bill, but because he believed that the
orderly disposition of the public business as
well as the convenience of Senators required
an arrangement of that kind. He would be
glad to hear from Senators on the other side if
they had any proposition to make in that re-
gard.
MR.. aoRMAN SAYS THE MINORITY ARE WILLING
TO HAVE LIMIT FIXED.
Mr.. German said that it had been the hon
ored custom OF the Senate on all revenue
measures and legislation necessary for the con-
duct OF the government that after full and free
discussion the Senate came to some agreement
as to the time for taking the vote. That Gus
tom had always enabled the Senate to discuss
fairly and freely all such measures There had
been heretofore demonstration of the wisdom
OF the Senate rule for unlimited debate, but
there always arrived a time when an agree
ment such as that proposed was made. He
therefore thought that he was perfectly at
liberty to speak for his colleagues when he
sad that they would be very glad if the Sena-
tor In charge Of the bill had any suggestion to
make that he would make it now
MR.. ALDRICHs PROPOSITION.
Mr.. Aldrich-I have prepared a proposition
which 1 ask unanimous consent to have
adopted
The paper was read. 1t proposed that the
consideration of the tariff bill shall be con-
tlnued. to the exclusion of all other business
except appropriation bills and conference re-
ports, to ana including September l. subject to
general debate; and during September 2, and
subject to the five-minute rule in debate: that
no Senator shall speak on any one oues ton
more than once; and that on September and
thereafter the consideration to be continued on
the bill or amendments, without debate to and
Including the third reading, when three hours
shall be allowed to each side for general debate,
and then the final vote shall be taken on its
passage.
MIR. Cullom-On what date is the final vote
to be taken?
Mr.. Aldrich-My suggestion is..that the gen.
eral debate shall close on the lst of Septem-
Der. 1t Is merely a suggestion. / am quite
SIDE think that the time proposed is insufficient
TO consent to any reasonable extension.
THE DEMOCRATS PROPOSE A SLIGHT EXTENSION
OF THE TERM.
MIR. Gorman-l am aware that in the con-
sideration of this bill we have spent twenty
four days, and that the long hours of the daily
slttlngs, from 10 till 6, have taxed us all to an
extent that has not been beneficial to health nj
all events. and have possibly, delayed some
what the progress of the bill. As compared
with any revenue measure in the past we have
considered this tariff bill greater number OF
hours and 1t has filled greater number OF
columns in the Record than any previous meas
ure OF the kind, but there we're special reasons
why this should be so. This is the only place
and the only time when the bill could be con-
sidered and fairly discussed. He thought the
suggestion OF the Senator from Rhode Island
reasonably fair, but it would be more satisfac.
tory to the democratic side of the chamber if
the time OF general debate were extended to
the Sd OF September and then to have three
days for the tve-minute debate That would
bring the time for taking the final vote to the
Sth OF september, two weeks from today II
that were agreeable to the republican side OF
the chamber it would be equally so, he thought
to the democratic side. OF course allowance
would be made for time that might be con-
sumed in the consideration of conference re-
ports.
TEMBER8 8.
Mr. Aldrich expressed his willingness to have
the memorandum modified as suggested by Mr..
German. 1t was therefore modified so as to
continue the general discussion up to and in
cluding Wednesday, September 8; to have five
minutes debate on Thursday. 4. FRIDAY 8. and
Saturday, g. and to fix Monday, September 3.
and thereafter for consideration of the bill and
amendments without debate; then three hours
to be allowed to each side for general debate,
and then the final vote to be taken on the pas,
sage of the bill.
The presiding officer (Mr Ingalls) asked
whether there was any objection to having the
order entered.
MR.. PLUMB OBJECTED,
and asked to have the matter go over till to-
morrow. 1t seemed to him that the time fixed
in the order was too short At all events there
should be some other division of the time.
although he was not prepared to make a sug-
gestion on that point The most important
thing to be taken into account had yet to come
before the Senate-for instance, about what
was to be done in restraint of trusts, about
reciprocity. about the effect of the bils on the
revenues, and AS to whether there would be
money enough to carry ON the government IL
the bill became a law. All these things had to
be taken into account. While he was as willing
to take the chance as other Senators were he
did not care to do so until he had at least time
to consider the proposition. He had not known
anything about 1t in advance except in q GER
tain way. and he thought that it should go over
till tomorrow.
Mr.. Aldrch-Then I offer the memorandum
In the form OF an amendment to the rules. I
give notice that l will ask tomorrow for a
modification of the rules in accordance with
the memorandum.
THE DEMOCRATS ARE SATISFIED.
Mr.. Gorman-I trust that the Senator from
Rhode Island will not pursue that course. 1 do
not think that it will be necessary. l am en-
tirely within bounds when 1 say that every
Senator on this side will agree to the terms
proposed.
Mr.. Aldrich-I do not think that the ar
rangement ought to fail from the objection of
Senator or Of a minority il it is satisfactory
to a large majority of the body, and it is for
the purpose Of avoiding the possibility of that
that have given the notice.
MIR. German suggested that if the daily hours
OF the -sittings were not sufficient
EVENING SESSIONS MIGHT BE HRLD.
Mr.. Harris said that he understood Mr..
Plumb's object in having the order go over till
tomorrow to be only that he might look into it
In all human probability the Senator from
Rhode Island could get unanimous consent to
the order tomorrow. He therefore suggested
that the step proposed (to amend the rules)
was unnecessary.
Mr.. AldriCh ihereupon withdrew the notice,