The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-07-11
VOLLEYS OF WORDS TO KILL TIME.
The Opposition to the Election Bill
Republicans In Caucus.
Herbert C. Briggs, ESQ.,, Nominated
For Postmaster at Portland.
Conference Report on the silver Bill
Adopted by the Senate.

WASHINGTON, July 10.-There will be a
caucus of Republican Senators soon to ar
range the programme for the disposition of
business during the remainder of the session.
The real point at issue Is whether the ma
tional election bill shall be considered at this
session. 1t is tactily understood that II as
surance is given to the minority that this
measure shall not be pushed, no factious op-
position will be interposed to the speedy dis
position CT the tariff bill and the river and
harbor bill which is the remaining appropria-
tion bill, and an adjournment may be had at
an early day. The caucus will be to decide
whether an arrangement Of this kind shall
be made or whether the bill shall be taken
up, and, in the latter event, to devise means
Tor Its disposition. There has been much
consultation, among the Senators upon this
subject and the strength of the opposition to
be met, which Is expected to take the form
OF talking against time, has been taken into
consideration. 1t Is realized that the sue
cessful issue Of such programme Of oppo-
sition would probably involve the failure Of
the Senate to act upon the tariff or river and
harbor bills as well as the national election
bill. fhe amendment to the rules proposed
by Senator Chandler and other amendments
devised TO achieve the curtailment Of tile de-
bate and speedy action ON pending business,
Will du Cono IN iOI lalr snare Oh aItentlOn.
The apparently fatal objection made to all
such propositions is that the attempt to
change the rules OF the Senate, could be re-
sisted as effectively as motion TO consider
the election bill and as much time might be
consumed in adopting new rule as would
De necessary to pass the bill initially. The
latest proposition which may be laid before
the caucus Is to proceed under the existing
rules, and transact such business as the ma
lor.ty may see fit to undertake. According
TO this plan. when measure has, in the
judgment of the majority, been debated TO
a reasonable extent. the Senator in charge of
the measure. is to move the adoption Of the
report, involving the passage of the bill,
without further recognition of would-be
speechmakers. IT, presiding officer is then
to put the question. 1t Is urged that this
does not involve a novel or revolutionary
proceeding inasmuch as the original super
visors's act, to which the election bill Is an
amendment, was finally passed in the Sem
ate by just such construction Of parllamen-
tary law by the presiding officer and in the
face OF similar opposition.
-RepuhlicanSenator were in caucus
three hours tonight discussing the order of
business. The outcome was a decision to
conclude consideration OF the pending ship
ping bills and take up the sundry civil ap-
preparation bill. A prolonged debate oc-
Cured respecting the places to be assigned
the tariff and river and harbor bills as we'll
as the expediency of considering the nation
al election bill this session. No decision was
reached. 1t is believed that before the ship
ping and sundry civil bills are disposed Of,
the Democratic policy will be sufficiently re-
Vealed to guide the Republicans in formula
ting measure at a subsequent caucus to
meet the necessity of the situation. The
speeches showed decided majority for the
federal election bill, but fairly good num-
ber showed a great deal Of lukewarmness on
,he subject. There was almost unanimity
IN the opinion that.would it be absolutely ne
,es sary TO adopt the closure ruile,in order TO
pass the bill. Mr.. Edmunds, Mr.. Teller and
a few other cid Senators thought this would
the benefit 70 came from the bilps
passage.