The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-27
FATE OF THE FORCE BILL.
INDICATIONS INCREASING OF ITS
ABANDONMENT.

Numbers OF Senators Clamoring for Gen
eraI LegisIaton--statu- of the Gag Law.
Contested Election Cases-Congression
al and Capital News.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 26.-lspecial. There
are increasing signs pointing to an early
abandonment OF the Force bill by the Re
publicans Of the Senate. Their last device
was the introduction Of tn clOture rule,
under the pretense that it was essen
tial to the progress Of business.
The Republican managers were not
willing to adopt arbitrary measures
10 pass the Force bill. It was suggested
that a motion TO clsse debate ard take "A
vote be made by a Republican, who should
he recognized for that purpose, but the
leaders rejected that proposition.
rhey realized and virtually confessed
that the Force bill Is too unpopular
a measure TO risk arbitrary action
| for its sake. Then the device OF gag
rule was resOrted to, the theory being
| that the party will stand better before the
country by this subterfuge. But that l.
doubtful The people no doubt, fully un-
derstand the situation. They understand
that but for the pig-headed obstl-
macy OF "A faction OF Republicans sus-
tanned and encouraged by the President
there would be no case even for the sugges-
| tiOn of "A gag-ruie. But for the time was ed
on that bill the proper business of the ses-
sion would be now well advanced. IL was
not until after several ciucuses and many
conferences that the unusual step OF propos
ing gag-rue was asserted TO by the sup
porters OF the Force bill. The argumen,
which prevailed was in substance as fol-
lows:
lin view of the hostile public sentiment it
would never do for us 20 repeat the PomerOy
trick of 1868 (recently detailed in THE
rIMEs) to pass this bill. No despotic steps to
advance il would be afforded. Hence We will
Introduce "A clOture rule, and declare that its
adoption is necessary in order TO assure the
enactment OF financial legislation, which is
so generally demanded. BY this scheme
the Force bill will be kept in the back
ground, and the people will be made TO be-
lieye that we are doing violence TO prece-
dent to serve them by passing financial
measures"
SENATOR STEWART on SILVER.
Senator stewart, a Republican whose par
ty tealty cannot be questioned, asserts that
this dodge or trick was what led to the in |
PRODUCTION Of the clOture resolution. He |
his party associates now IN control as to
their purpose 10 enact any silver legislation. |
lie believes they are once more juggling |
with the people, and that they are keeping |
the Force bill before the Senate as an OBJ
stacle to legislation 80 universally de- |
manded To use his own words he says;
The gold bugs are still in cOntTW Of the |
senate, and they do not intenl that any |
thing shall be dOue that will put silver on
an equality with gold"
Senator stewart is not alone among the |
Republicans in holding that the leaders ol
mis- party are making convenience OF the
Force bill tO block other legislation Sena-
tOr PaddCch, OF Nebraska, coincides in ths
opinion. he recently gave notice that unless
the Force bill should be disposed OF IN
reasonable time ne wOu.d mlye TO
iay il aside ia order that ia- Pure
Food bill. Of which he is auth B. mgh'
be consideration. lie is also desirous
that silver legislation shall be ta,en
up. MIR. Paddock says that be does moi !
intend 10 wait many more days 10
ont his motion. lie iutl mates that unless
The way shall be cleared 10y The latter part
Of next week he Will test the sense OF the /
Senate by moving 10 lay aside tue Force Dill.
Blair, of New Hampshire, says that his
duty AID obligations 40 the labOrng men |
c mpel him to move tO set the Force blii
aside at an early daY, in order to get the
Eight.hour bill through. He has been |
growing and complaining for two weeks,
and now and then has threatened. lie |
frankly declares in favor Of the adoption OF |
"A gag rule, but Just as frankly SAYS he
senate will not adopt il. Therefore he holds |
that he cannot longer see a measure 10
which he is pledged, and upon the fate oi
which he believes his future political Tor |
unes largely depend, JeOpardlZed by the |
Force bill.
Senator Plumb has not SAID much in the |
senate Of late, but he Is dlsgusted ut the
waste of time, and is likely at any moment |
after the resumption OF business To pup
ncly pronounce the Force bill nu- |
sance and ask the senate TO vote II |
out Of the way. In a spirit Of
,uDseryience TO the President. oenators |
uOar SpOOuer, Eva Il, aud others, have re-
sorted to all sorts Of schemes to save tnt |
Force bill, but there Is reason 10 believe
tbey Will fail There is still "A feel.
ing of apprehe nsi0n among Democrats
that the unusual pressure being
excited may drive unwilling Republicans
20 support the bill, and 1t has been sug-
gested that the business interests OF the
large cities should adopt concerted action
10 express their opposition to the measure
and thus strengthen the hands Of the men
who are fighting IL.
FIRST OPERATION or THE GAG-LAW.
The special dispatch recently published IN
The TIMES making public for the first tint
the details OF the only instance in the his
tory Of the Senate when gag-law was ar
Ditrarly applied, hos attracted considerable
attention. One comment II that the
Republican Senators selected as then
tool Pomeroy, Of Kansas, who, stigma
matized as subsidy" is Infamous in our
politics. His attempt 20 bribe his re-elec-
! lion TO the Senate was exposed. aud today
the name Of Pomeroy stands for all
| that is despicable in American politics.
| It has also developed that Republican Sena-
tors, even those who clamOr lOudest Tor the
Force bill. refuse to enact the ole that on
that occasion was assigned to POmeroy.
senator ingalls,, who was counted upon, re-
fused with Indignation. as THE TINES re-
Gently reported. Even Senator Edmunds
declines, and the be licose FRYE says he
thinksit is the duty Of the regular presiding
officer TO put any motion OF that important
character
CONTESTED ELECTION CASES.
Next Monday the two houses OF Congress
| will resume the transaction Of business, but
il is doubtful whether either will have
ouorllm present. IL is certain
mat neither House Will muster a
quorum without the cO-Opefai VI
Democrats. Chairman ROwel, 4 me
House Elections Committee, has been ex-
dressing anxiety'tO bring up for action the
three remaining contested cases-one from
| West Virginia, one from Florida, ana one
from Tennessee. Except in regard TO the
latter the Republicans Of the commit.
tee have already decided and reported
against the sitting Democrats. In the
case OF Eaton against Phelan from the
Memphis district no decision has been
reached. Now that the session Is 50 tar ad-
yanced, and that nearly all the important
and necessary legislation remains to he en-
| 1cted. the Democrats feel very hopeful OF
being able 10 prevent the uuseating OF any
more of their members.
CAPITAL NOTES.
The Bureau Of the American Republics
has received information from BOgOta that
the Congress OF Columbia has renewed the
concession for the construction OF the Pan
ANA canal to Lieutenant Wise, the agent OF
the canal company.
The recommendation Of the last lnterna-
,ional American Conference for the estab-