The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-14
GAG LAW FOR THE SENATE.
IT GIVES THE MAJORITY THE RIGHT
TO CLOSE DEBATE AT ANP TIME

Inc prospect OF Its fasSnEo ana OF the
Passage OF the Force Bill Growing Less
Brisht-The Tariff Bin Now Has the
Right OF Way, and tho lag Rule May Not
he Presented for some Time, ir at All.
WASHINGTON, July l3.-The prospects OF tho
passage OF a gag rule aud force bill in the
Senate are far less bright now than they were
three days ago. The action OF the Senate yes
terday in taking up the Tariff bill IL happy
thing for tho Democrats and the othor on
ponents Of the Force bill. The Democratic
Senators now have an opportunity to prevent
the abortion OF a gag rule or even its consider
alton, at leust for some weeks The Rerub-
leans realize this. and those OF them
that are leading in their demand FOR an
election bill are very much discouraged a.
the situation. These radical Republican Sem
ators had about decided that the Election bill
must be put ahead OF all other measures IL it
was to succeed. They were preparing to do
this when the Senators In charge Of the Tariff
bill checkmated them by getting that measure
before the Senate. They declare that they Will
not allow 1t 10 be displaced by any proposition
whatever. Senator Aldrich. who Is largely
responsible for thus giving the TarN bill! the
right Of way. is Chairman OF the committee that
is preparing q gag rule to submit to the Senate
caucus. He Is no ir,cud Of the Elections till,
and Is probably conGratulating himself that
he las that measure where 1t must remain
quiet for q long while.
A caucus OF the Republican Senators will
probably lie held to- morrow night, and cons!l-
GRAFTON given to the new rule, which vii! be
agreed upon at meeting OF the special COM
mittee tomorrow morning ut 10 o'clock.
leading member OF the committee said to-
night that the rule will probably not be pre-
sented TO tho Senate for some time to come If
oil 7, nt Jn bn sniJ m hriDp II in
during legitimate discussion of the tariff, for
the Democrats can reasonably claim the right
TO debate that bill for three or four weeks at
least. Then II they show q disposition to
cause delay, the gag rule may be brought for
ward. Tho Democrats can then ATTEMPT to
talk that to death. They appreciate the fact
that they have tho whip in hand, ami will
endeavor to retain IT,
Speaker Reed and the radical Republican
Senators are more than ever determined how
ever. that a plan of majority rule shall be
adopted. and q force bill enacted before the
political campaign 0. the all bcGius There is
no doubt that the sentiment in the Senate
against the adoption OF gag rule and the pas
sage OF n bayonet election bin i Increasing day
by day. but the bloody shirt Senator'S boldly en-
press the opinion that their programme OF ac-
ton will be put through in spite OF the opposi-
ton OF their colleagues on both sides Of the
chamber. These Senators say that the bill is II
political necessity, and that it must go through
or the party will bo left open to the charge OF
having abandoned their cause. Tho Senators
who ure acting As Mr.. Reeds assistants are
using every means in their power 10 drive
their colleagues into support Of the bin. They
furnishing interviews and statements TO
lepu blican newspapers, and seIdlnE Hruehis
broadcast over tue country Tor an expression
OF opinion that may influence the Senators
who are holding back:
The work OF Preparing the gag rule is, rrac-
tically completed; 1t WI be a very simr!e one.
time they see dt after a reasonable time las
views. The rule will say nothing about an
election iii. but 1t will be SO drawn that it gan
lie applied to any measure that comes M, The
committee has been very dili@ent in studying
up presidents for their action IN order to COM
VINO T think as he does and they nnI thai, on
three 0eS%ioII n" % them Yt mn
the majority Tie right 10 order the pre-,
vous question. 1t + probable that the RUE
will be agreed to Ivy the caucus, although there
is little doubt that several senators will oppose
1t or remain away so that they will be free, TO
munds and Teller are leading the opposition
10 the adoption OF the gag ri e. and say Z mt
they will persist in talking and voting against
it. The Republican pres, has Already com
tors. and the dispatches sent out duriiG The
past few da' ). at III" suggestion of the men
who arc leading the attempt t. enact the 10 &c
bill. plainly gave notice to Thorn that they Will
Although the Tsrif bill is row before tho
Senate i Is not likely to be continually under
tons COMMITTEE is ready to bring forward the
Snn1y ys GT oil Is bill rasad
very soon II it is to become a law. and ts
friends will insist on having time t9r its con;
sideration The fact ihRt Ne,STs AISG fI anh
not be sde-tracked j. causing more anxiety to
the friends OF the Election bill than ANYTHING
the situation. Whilc they talk very contldentiy
Of being able to Hd2nt gag rui" with with very s lit.
rapidly as they sec it,, they know in their
hearts that they have difficult task on hand
Y Theg eE he P pn s so IS very o
to the ars on " as
Possible. it Is true that large ma ority If III,
Kenubican Senators want force OIL passed.
tits Iu-t ~ truc, however that yer, strong
minority. comprising certainly more than
twenty Senators. will throw every sible oh
Whether Il ey can be subdued into obeyInR the
dictates OF ne caucus remains 10 ne seen:
s Mh 'he tbH ar Void
very easy 10 drive these men into line. 4 Il
came TO nm issue rs to whether or otLthry
would support caucus measure. Their
cause ia strengthened. however iythe opyor-
tunitl"s which they, Rave for dolGy and the short
can assist he democrats in proionGinG dcbn'"
on the Tarin bin and keept the Liver and hnrbor
long time. II Is altogether prohable that thoy
viii succeed In nHaEgginE TO death the prolent
fer a. ssstons e 10 2 brp c 9n9p 10
after there, has been q season u tarill debate.
sicncing the oppOstion TO IL by every means
in their power, force IL to a vote and bring tho
Fore bill In Mt once. This is u big task, but
NOT So big q one n S! caker Reed ACCOMPLISHED
in the House This is what gives them hope,
| With All tho Democrats and n large number, Of
their own party colleagues against them, tho
promise OF success Is not iiattering.