New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-24
AMENDING THE SENATE RULES.
PROPOSING TO EMPOWER THE PRESIDING OFF,
GER TO CERTIFY A oUORUM-DEMo-
Gratis PLANNING OBSTRUCTION.

Gratis PLANNING OBSTRUCTION.
Washington. April 90 Cspccal.-Thc first move
| toward the reform of the senate rules. along the
| general line indicated in The Tribune dispatches OF
last week, was made today by Senator Chandler VINO
offered amendment 10 the present code. by Which,
| on motion. discussion on any measure may be limited
10 six consecutive days, aud by which, In any roll
CALL the presiding officer may, as the speaker oi 'ho
House Is empowered do. count as present ana
constituting quorum senators who, for purposes Oh
obstruction. refuse The text OF the proposed
new rule is follows
Whenever bill or resolution reported from COM
mttee l. under consideration. the senate my IN
motion, TO be acted without debate or dal"ly
notions order that day not less than SIN uay =
after the passage VI the order debate shall ce',e anu
the Senate proceed 70 dispose of the bill or resolution
and when said day Shall arrive. al . O'Clock the Vo'e
shall be taken. without debate or dilal'iN
upon any amendments of the bill or resolution ahn
| upon the passage thereof Whenever = quorum %
senators shall not vote upon any ron can ,nv Pl"
ing officer at the request OF any senator Sha oa"So
to be entered upon the journal the names 81 All zen,
ator> present and not voting and such senators ,"i'
hc deemed and taken in attendance and present As y
part Of quorum TO do business and docaIi'i"l VI
The result of the voting shall be made accoInlnf ia;
The purpose OF the foregoing rule Is to eApcnio mo
taking of votes in the senate. and to facilitate 'ho
public business.
This i, practically the system, except as to the
designation of the minimum of time to be allowed Tor
debate under which the House is now working ana 10y
of which the orderly prosecution OF business
there has been facilitated to gratifying an extent
The urgent necessity Of the adoption in the senate OF
some such means limiting debate and defeating tho
datory tactics of the minority fully pointed out
in The tribune Of last saturday. since then "A fresh
proof has been given Of the determination Of the Demo
cratic avail themselves Of the generous "p
portuntes offered 10y the present rules 10 obstrict
legislation
As Yet no purely political measure Of any great I'M
portancc has come before the senate. bat the Demo
Gratis have cndeavorc'i. and in great measure sue
ccssfully To- prolonE the discussion of all bills {" the
point where a general wearinc-s Of the subject has
forced vote upon the reluctant minority
ON Monday, however. Democratic caucus
was held discus, the general prospect
Of political legislation at TIN, session. and
The decision reached That organized hgat should
be made on every bill Of political chni4'tc'
which may come before the senate. All the resources
If the hlbuster Will be brought into play To SaNc
OF action Oh each successive measure, ana: IL me
plans Of the Dcnoc ate manager, are no, ,' ~
the prospect j. that the senate VIII be barely apic 10
do it, routine bu,Inc,, before the heat 81 summer
comes OH 10 make legislative lie here Intolerance
\ Democratic steering committee i now ID '"a'rc
# Democratic Interests Oh Tie hOor Of the senate
which simply mean, that the hihu'terms campaign
is ready 10 begin AT am moment
Let The first Of the proposed republican measure,
the Mct oma> Anti Terry Wandering blL' tnc Lifv
National Election bill. any tarf OF custom, bil
come In sight. and the many fluent talkcr, against
time on the Dculocrac side viii start up prepared
exhaustion. No one can doubt. in fact, thsi nniec7
the Chandler rule something similar to IL. D, put ia
force. the passage 81 many pieces 81 legislation 10
which tie Republican party D., pledged VII ne a
f,florn hope AT mi, session 81 Congress. II VIII hc
argued. Of course. that Mr. Chambers proposition is
| a violent Innovation on the parliamentary practice
OF the senate. where cvcrNi thing j. supposed I" 20
ly courtesy and common consent. But IL ~" pi,-',t
development Of legislative business. aud ~ bviy
large TIE senate now is III" rules wNi'h served
fifty q hundred wears 40 have become inappH' iht
Unlimited debate oFcrs large license 81 fractloss
and obstinate minority aud abuse Of privilege h'
that INDUCED in hy the Democratic senator during
the Montana contest ought 10 lie enough L. convince
any impartial observer that the old system mas "l'
\ lived III rcaSouahleNcsS. A. well A. Us n-'ihlh'>-
senator Chambers proposed amendment Wa INFERRED
| 20 the Committee on rules, and II Viii probably 70"
heard from Al an early day rs adoption. ~ eour.",
viii be bitterly opposed by the Democrats In tho