New-York tribune., 1890-06-30
A BATTLE IN THE SENATE.
1T WILL BE on THE NATIONAL ELECTION
BILL.
DEMOCRATIC THREATS OF DELAY-LIKELIHooo
OF THE ADOPTION OF SENATOR oHNND-
LEI'S RULE on THE PREvI-CS
QUESTION"
IpY TELEGRAPH 10 TIE TkrBUSE-y


Washington, June 20-rhc battle in the Senate
over the National Election law is likely to be
opened sooner than has been expected. Re-
publican Senators having in mind the threats
openly made by Democrats that they will resort
10 all known dilatory measures 10 prevent the
consideration Of the National Election BILL are
making their plans 70 thwart the opposition The
Democrats declare that they will not allow such
a measure to be taken up Therefore their tao
tics will he brought into operation at convenient
stages in The proceedings before reaching and
with purpose 10 avoid reaching, the point Of
actual contact with the Election bill. The Tariff
! bill will hr the most appropriate measure upon
which to consume time. The Democrats say that
were il not that the Republicans threaten TO Try
10 force through the Election bill during the
present session they would not make any eX-
traordinary opposition TO the passage Of the Tariff
bill AMI that if the latter were the only unusual
measure that the Republicans wish to put
through il might easily be got ont Of thr way
within n few weeks and Congress might adjourn
about August But unless they can obtnin
positive assurance that the Republicans will forego
the attempt 10 pass an election bill. the Demo
cratic policy OF delay will he put into operation
Immediately. The appropriation bills and other or
dinary legislative measures will not be obstructcd,
but the Tariff bill has been selected as the object
Of especial attack, because il offers the best pos
sible opportunity for almost endless delay Many
weeks can. if necessary desirable he consumed
in general debate. and after tiring Of debate an
indefinite length Of time can bc killed by insist
ing that separate vote be taken on every one o.
tie thousands of clauses, paragraphs or divisible
parts Of this bill OF many items.
II will hc seen. therefore, that in this way, as
etanI he, Democratic Senators could
without serious difficulty. Kill two or three months
of time and Tie session could thus he prolonged
to "A point so late in the year that IT would he
practically impossible for the Republicans h put
through the Election bill for operation or effect
M the Congressional elections this fall
The Senate Republicans, as n rule, do. not share
tho belief Of some Of their party friends elsewhere
That the Democrats will feel the force Of public
sentiment in favor of a National Election law, and
refrain from captious opposition. believing IN
the earncstncss Of the Democratic threats, the
Republicans prepared 10 meet them IN the
same spirit The most ciIcctual way T. do that
is t. do thing that haS long been considered
tahlc-namcly, to amend the rules Of the
senate - as 10 provide way 10 limit debate and
lar ont dilatory motions II IS, in other words
~ adopt what is known in parliamentary practice
- Tie previous question, so as I" cut oil
debate and bring the Senate 10 direct vote upon
tlc question or questions on which the previous
question has been asked or ordered There is a
growing sentiment in the senate in favor Of
.narfinr f-pin tho pr,rtic~ ~ p,oss,ne os'imtted
eoatc. and it is admitted that some such limit
rs that suggested in Mr.. Chandcrs proposed new
rule must Lc adopted In the House the previous
| onesiion may bc ordered within few minutes
or few hours after any measure gets before the
! House.
The proposed new rule Tor the Senate. sub
mittcd by MIR Chandler. the purpose Of which as
stated by him is To- expedite the taking Of votes
IN the senate and 70 facilitate tie public business,
differs materially from the previous question IN
the lIousc In that it proposes 20 allow at least
slN DAYS for debate. The text OF senator Chand
| l,r's resolution Is as follows:
Nhcucvc. a rill or rc,ontiol reported from com
miit"c J., under consideration the senate may. on mo
ton tn bc acted without ichai' or dilatory mo-
ton- order that day not T., than SIX days a'tcr
The pa--aec OF th. order debate shall cci,, ana the
senate proceed tn pos" ~ The III or rr~olution> anF
when said dan -hill arrive at > o'clock. IN, votes
hall De forthwith tahon, without drga,c or da,%ry
lion and upon tllc pa,,l-c the cof.
Whcncy,r Quorum 81 S'uator, shall not vote upon
senator ~hall c.ipsc t. entered upon tn" Journal
the II all senator prc,ent ana not voting am
tendance and prr.cnt part OF a quorum 20 do
business and the declaration OF the result oi the vot
inc shall De made accordingly
Republican Senators in conversation within the
last few days have expressed their opinion that
without doubt the Senate Will take up the Elec-
tion bill during this session. and. in respect 10 the
suggestion that the Democrats will try to prevent
the consideration Of the Election bill by dilatory
work upon the Tariff bill. il YVES predicted that
such Obstruction on the part Of the Democrats
would afford an excuse for the inmcdlat" ADOPTION
| Of ncw rule 20 place reasonable limit upon
! debate.