Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-31
WASHINGTON SMALL TALK.
Reagan's Closure Amend acknowledgements
tion as to the Passage Of the BIZ.
by Telegraph to the Dispatch.l

(By telegraph to the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, ID. O.. December 30.-Sen-
ator Reagan to-day struck the hrst blow
in behalf Of the Democratic senators at
the closure resolution offered by Mr.. Al
drich by giving notice Of several amend
ments intended 10 be proposed by him 20
the resolution when II is taken up for
consideration. The general effect OF the
amendments is 10 enlarge the opportunl-
ties Of the minority 20 prevent abrupt clo-
sure, and IL is 10 be achieved as
follows: The provision that aiter
the decision has been reached TO
close debate no motion shall be in order
except TO adjourn or take recess, ana
then only upon a majority. The second Is
TO be stricken out. In its place ls 70 be IN
serted the following: After the Senate
shall have decided 20 close debate, as
herein provided. no motion shall be IN
order except a motion 10 amend the pend
ing bill and five minutes debate may be al
lowed for and five minutes against such
amendment. or motion 10 adjourn or 10
take recess" IL Is also proposed 70
strike out the provision that motion 10
adjourn or take a recess shall not be i'm
mediately renewed If 10 failed OF q
second. The principal significance OF
the foregoing amendment hes in tho
attack upon majority second, for II that re-
uuirement is maintained the minority
would be estopped from the tlme-con-
Stunning yea-and-nay vote upon motions
90 adjourn and recess. Again II IS pro
posed by Reagan 10 strike out the entire
paragraph which provides that When IN
der closure no proceedings IN respect OF .
quorum shall be in order until ITS lack
shall have appeared on division or call
inc of the yeas and NAYS. This last pro-
vision would be still more obnoxious 70
the minority in the event OF their falluro
TO secure the desired amendment OF the
majority second provision, as the chances
for yeas and nays would be ordinarily very
few.
THE FORCE BILL.
Among the few members congregated in
the chamber Of the House to-day after
that body had adjourned the fate OF the
election bill was q fruitful topic OF con-
versatiOn. Many Of the leading Republ-
cans were sanguine of the bill being en-
acted into "A law. but some were less conf
dent. One prominent Republican said,
in conversation to-day: If the blll
comes from the Senate III an amended
form it's doom IS sealed. In TACT, !
believe il is already dead, as l
do not think it will pass the Senate. Even
should il do so in cannot run the gauntlet
OF the House unless there Is Republican
quorum present, and 1t IS almost ilnpossi-
bic 10 secure one at the present session.
OF course We might call a caucus ana py
making the bill an imperative party mea-
sure obtain the presence of absentees, hut
] hardly think this course will be followed.
If the Democrats persist III absenting them
selves 80 as to prevent the counting
Of "a quorum we are almost help-
less.n The Democratic course will be
one of obstruction should the bill
come from the Senate. Every bill upon
the Sneakers table having precedence 20
tho elections bill would be used 10 OBJ
siruct the consideration of that measure
and yea-and-nay votes will be demanded
upon the disposition OF each OF them.
When the election bill Is finally reached a
motion will be made by one of its Repub-
lican champions to concur in the Senate
amendments. This Will supply Democrats
with another opportunity TO practice their
Administering tactics. and their avowed In
tention is to leave the hal IN order 10
break a quorum.