New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-12
THE SENATES DICTATOR.
MIR. GORNiAN'S PRESENT POWER IN TIE UP
PER HOUSE.
HOW THE MARYLAND SENATOR WORKS on THE
FEARS OF FEW REPUBLICANS-THE
NEED OF A CLOSURE RULE.

HOW THE MARYLAND SENATOR WORKS on THE
FEARS OF \ FEW EEpUBL1CANs-TnE
NEED OF a CLOSURE RULE.
Washington De-. 1l.-Nothing hu; an absurd
and WORKOUT tradition opposes the proposition TO
change the rules in the Senate SO ms 10 have there
the previous question the possibility of closing
debate at fixed time. Nothing shows more the
conservatism of the Senate than its previous neg
lcct TO adopt the closure rule when it has been
SHOWN the world over that untmed debate IS
one OF the most powerful weapons OF hcticus
minority. To illustrate: The Democrats i'll the
heAate have already put IN an application TO the
presiding officer for permission TO make speeches
upon the Election bill that will take exactly
sixteen weeks of legislative days 1t IS absurd for
cay one TO suppose that this is done for any pur-
pose except that of factions opposition. The sit
uation in the Senate now is nearly The as it.
was when the Tariff bill vas up. The Democrats
at that time used the unlIm'ted debate privilege
TO such extent that few OF the Republican
Senators ven;urcd 10 speak and thereby add 10
the loss of time in securing its passage To-day
The Republican Senators are hoping that the Dem
ocrafs will c> haust Themselves and are civing
them all of the privileges of the so-called dis
cussion. So YOU hear constantly more of the ar
gumcnts against the measure than for il.
The comnon-sense view is that the majority
should be permitted to transact such business as
II may see tit 10 present. The responsibility is
with II, not with the minority. The Democrat,
~ the senate are much more compactly organized.
iheE nave also there leader whom they obey
without hesitation. This leader is Senator Cor
man He has worked skilfuly upon the fears of
the Republican Senators who are anxious 10 So
cure further silver legislation. He has told
them: will consent TO this or that in the way
Of financial legislation if You will kill the Flee
ton DILL The few Republicans who are fright
cned al the bold threats of Senator German of
what he VIII do in the way of opposition are in
the curious position Of constantly seeking him to
ontain his permission or approval as TO what can
or cannot he done. At present he is the dictator
Of the Senate.
Now all this can nc rcmcdied in a way SO
simple that even hoary tradition. the strongest
obstacle in the Senate. will nc Obliged to give
way. Let the previous question be adopted in
the Senate and then give ten days or two weeks
if necessary for The debate. But there should b.,
a fixed day when the debate should close Heaven
knows that everything that it is possible to say
upon the subject has already been said Once
the previous question is adopted. this measure can
he passed. and any other legislation which the
Republican majority TO take up-and this
TOO" without being obliged to send cmissarcs to
plead with Senator German 10 obtain his per
mission to pass Something. Senator German
poses friend OF the financiers who are dis
trcssed over the commercial question. Yet he
poses only for the purpose of defeating the Flee
ZION bill. and has refused 10 consider any
compromise proposition which would permit that
measure 20 20 70 vote.
The real positive detection on the Republican
side comes from the two PENNSYLVANIA Senators,
but their votes are not necessary To secure the
Of fbo D,n( ic ,,,r,1,
affected in his opinions concerning this measure
hy his personal relations with Senator VI. c. But
Ter. of South Carolina. These two init
mate friends. There are no two Senators who
have such close personal relations Senator Cam-
erOn is Influenced much in his public acts by his
private likes and dislikes. He is 50 devoted TO
mis- friend Butler that | am sure that is reason
enough for his being Indifferent the fate Of the
Election BILL although he would probably evade
voting directly against IT, Senator Quay made
an arrangement last summer with the Democrats
to secure the passage of the Tariff bill, and this
trade to have carried some after bargains
with il. because Mr.. Quay eVades any deca ration
for the election and sklfully avoids TAX
ing part in pushing il through. No one here be
lieVes however, that lie would vote against the
bill.
There is a strong feeling OF Indignation on the
Republican side about this needless trading and
compromising with the Democrats. Senator Ed
munds probably represents the head and front
Of the Republicans who believe that when once
a policy is undertaken after deliberate thought II
should be carried out. If the rules are amended
Mr.. German ceases 10 he dictator OF the Senate
and the Democratic minority will take the posi-
ton of nferiOrity which belongs to their limited
numbers 1t is believed that next Monday the
previous question will lie agreed upon in a caucus
of Republican Senators. Even the traders who
have been nervous over the possibility Of
their not being able TO pass free-coinage
are beginning 10 see that the previous question
will he their salvation. But the last doubt in
their minds cones from a mysterious threat Of
Mr. German. He says 10 the silver men:
You haven't cHough votes on the Republican
side 20 carry your frec-coinage measures through
Dare 70 pass the Election measure and every vote
on the Democratic side will be arrayed against
YOU for every financial measure proposed on the
Republican side"
Such position shows the utter lack Of sincerity
upon the part Of Senator German when lie made
his mOck-heroic speech in the Senate the other
day, in which he dwclt upon the pressing need
Of legislation for the relief of the financial Sit
uation. T. {. CRAWFORD.
VIM uant IN h,,v On cell ANYTHING. or find work