The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-17
STUCK In THE SENATE.
Important Legislation That the
Country Demands.
NEED OF a CHANGE IN RULES.
The Windy Democrats VIII Never Tire
Of Talking rarifr-Westsrn Men
Tired OF Doing Nothing.

WAsHrseToN CIry, Aug. 16-It is seldom
that important egislation-importaut to
parties as parties, and TO the country re-
gardless of party-has been punched to
such an extent as the Senate now has it.
The Developments of day may involve
two or three OF the all-important questions
now before the country. The tariff bill is
always TO be expected. Debate on it goes
on in q way that wearies xerybody. The
election bill is likely 10 be upin some shape
or other, and there Is o squirming all
around every time the subject is touched.
The river and barbor bill, which interests
every state in the Union and represents
about $50 00O. 900 of cold cash, is in place
where it can be alluded to at least
very often--too often for those who
are Immediately interested and cannot be
on deck to look after their own particular
sections every minute. In addition, there
are two or three appropriation bills which
have yet to be passed. Then there Is the
Notifications bill with the question OF gen.
eral policy of the government on this point.
which is sure to come in for good, yigor-
Gus discussion when the bill comes up.
The question of reciprocity, which has by
agreement been Land away with the sugar
schedule, for the closing of the tariff dis
cussion. is binted at now and then in way
that makes it interesting. Along with this
is the talk OF a change in rules to limit
debate By moving the previous qnes-
ton or some other method which causes
the dry bones OF some OF the old timers on
both sides o. the Senate TO rattle every time
it comes up. So, taken ali in all, the de-
velopments in the Senate wing of the
capitol are very entertaining, and such as
to make it binding on ali senator's to attend
to their knitting pretty closely. II is aw-
full hot in the Senate chamber, and it is no
sinecure to hold a seat in til so-cailed
millionaires' club. jast at this tine.
If the Senate should ever get near
enough TO the latest approved methods OF
transacting public business TO come to q
vote OH the resolution to shut off debate,
would support the measure. l. will be
tough on good many Of the Senator's who
have regarded ii as part of senatorial
courtesy, inherent in the high office,
TO be allowed TO talk against
time. but the sentiment is growing in favor
OF il. There is row OF back seats full of
men who chafe under the long winded ar
guments. In this row of men are Sanders
and Power OF Montana, Pierce. Pettigrew
and Moody from the Dakotas. Wolcots of
Colorado, Squire and Allen of Washing
ton, and Higgins of Delaware. All are
new men in the Senate, and they do not
take kindly to the traditions which have
come down from former generation.
Chandler OF New Hampshire, Casey OF
North Dakota, and Washburn Of Mime
sofa would easily join in a business move
ment of this king II would annoy Sena-
tors Evarts and Edmunds to see such a
step taken, and Dolph and Merrill would
not be able to sleep soundly for
the first few days after it came
about. John Sherman would not
really enjoy the change. but would main
tain digniied GOODNESS during the strug-
gle and after it was all over. Allison and
Cullom and Cameron and Davis and VIII
son of Iowa would rejoice at the change il
it were not that they do not like to see the
feelings of their older associates wounded,
as they would be.
It would seriously interfere with the
most approved tactics of the Democrats,
and there would be violent opposition
from Vest of Missouri, George of Missis-
sippi, Reagan of Texas, Call of Florida,
Cockrel of Missouri They would pro-
test. They would talk. They would
cumber the record with long-winded argu-
ments. 1t would kill off their strength.
1t would be putting water on what powder
the minority has. But the question is on
the minds OF the people. and il will not be
kept quiet. The crowding together of SO
many important measures as are enumer.
aied above, and the endless delay in get
ting action on any of them, because of all
this talk, is driving it home that some
time or other the rules must be changed
and the Senate get down TO business