Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-18
THE SENATE SITUATION.
The ClOture Rule, the Proposed Financial
Legislation and the Elections Bill.

The ClOture Rule, the Proposed Financial
Legislation and the Elections Bill.
The action of the caucus last night does not
appear to have smoothed the way to any extent
for the elections bill. determined effort will
be made to secure a change Of the rules, but
this does not indicate any advantage for the
elections bill.
The committee on rules will have a meeting
today. Their purpose is to report resolution
tomorrow for the application of cloture in the
Senate during the short session.
They will ask for its immediate consideration
One objection will be sufficient to send il over
for one day and there are number of Sena-
tors ready with an objection. Therefore the
ton on Saturday, displacing the elections bill
THE CLoTURE RULE MAY BE DEBATED INpErI-
NIrELY.
As vet there has been no determination
reached to adopt revolutionary means of
changing the rules therefore the resolution is
subject to indefinite discussion. The demo-
Gratis will fight against the change with all
their might and there will be no disposition
to hasten the debate to conclusion.
To stick to the consideration would greatly
delay action on the important financial legisla-
tion. Therefore it is proposed that, after the
resolution has been discussed for a while. it be
laid aside and the financial bill be taken up.
WHAT WILL THE DEMOCRATS DO?
If, when the time comes for a vote to be
taken on the latter measure, the democrats at
tempt unnecessary and unreasonable delay, the
cloture question will be again taken up
and, strengthened by the anxiety of
the silver men for prompt legisla-
ton. they would hope to secure a
change Of rules. by whatever means might be
necessary. II the democrats do not attempt to
Iala ha nff fba al ii
able that the reapportionment bill will be
taken up before the change of rules ID
again considered. II may Be- necessary
to adopt the new rule in order to get a vote on
that measure. but is not likely to be the case.
BY the time these measures are disposed OF
there will probably be but little time for action
on anything but the appropriation bills and
two or three other measures il is considered
important should be disposed OF before this
Congress expires.
THE ELECTIONS BILL.
1t is not improbable that first or last. the
change of rules will be effected, but the change
is not apt to benefit the elections bill in any way
A number of men who are in favor Of a change
of rules, applying cloture during the short
session of every Congress, are opposed to the
elections bill in its present shape.
CAUCUS ACTION NOT BINDING on THE FINANCE
BILL.
Ine repuDncans are not vet out OF the woods
with their financial bill. There are q number
of very positive and very contradictory state
ments as to the effect Of the
caucus action. 1t is asserted on excel
lent authority that the action of the caucus was
not binding, and it is asserted that the financial
bill will not be favorably reported from the
finance committee. 1t is understood that
there are Senators on both sides of the silver
question who will oppose the bill.
.a-
Moreover the silver men who are willing
to accept the compromise will be greatly
embarrassed when the democrats propose to
amend the bill by provision for free coinage.
1t is probable that very, few of them will be
able to see their way clear to a vote against
such amendment, and there is the possi-
bility at any time of the whole plan going to
pieces. 1t is not at all improbable that in the
eud o free coinage bill will pass the Senate,