The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-15
GAG LAW IN THE SENATE
a CLOTURE RULE ALMOST sUBH
TO BE ADOPTED.


tee of the Republican Senators SUBJ
mitted to the Caucus Last Night.
Its Terms Kept Secret Yet, but It's
Adoption Almost Certain.
WASHINGTON, July 14-The republican
senatorial caucus committee instructed TO
frame a rule under which debate in the
Senate may be limited held a meeting this
morning and agreed upon the form of O
rule to be reported TO the caucus tonight.
An injunction Of secrecy was put upon the
members Of the committee and the terms Of
the proposed rule are withheld from general
circulation. II is learned, however, that it
differs from the text as published ina mum
ber Of papers to-day, and is in effect a
modification of the previous question as
generally used in parliamentary bodies.
APPLICABLE TO ANY MEASURE.
The rule is applicable to any measure
under the constitution, being made general
in its scope with a view, it is understood, OF
passing an apportionment bill after the pro-
mitigation Of the tabulation of the census
| returns of the population. This, it Is now
said. caE be made before Aug. 10. There is
nothing in the proposed rule referring to
the counting of aquorum by the presiding
officer in case any senators shall refuse to-
vote when their names are called.
THE CAUCUS MEETING
The caucus tonight to hear the report Of
| the committee was attended by twenty-nine
members OF tile eighteen absentees ten
were reported to be out Of the city. Senator
Platt presided. The conference lasted two
| and q half hours, and all reports agree
| that practical unanimity prevailed.
The rule as agreed upon by
| the committee was presented and
thoroughly discussed There is as yet the
| oN- 49, H..
terms of this rule, and various versions OF
1t are current. The one nos5
largely accepted is that after
proposition has been debated for three
or four days 1t shall be in order for any
senator tc move that the debate thereon be
limited under the rule. That motion shall
be put without debate, and If adopted, then
debate on the question shall cease at the
end of six days thereafter.
WHAT THE DISCUSSION REVEALED.
The discussion Of the rule revealed the
fact that almost every one present was in
favor of the adoption Of some method of
limiting debate. Mr. Edmunds is said TO
have conceded that this was desirable,
and he outlined the provisions of a rule
that would have his approval While diff
fering from 1t in terms, it is said that his
proposition was In effect similar to the reso-
luton proposed by Mr.. Chandler, which is
now pending before the committee on rules.
After the conference adjourned inquirers
after the results were referred TO Chairman
| Platt, who stated that the conference hal
voted by a decided majority that
the adoption of rule to
limit debate was necessary, and
mlttee had been recommitted to that COM
mittee to be again reported TO another
conference, the date of which was not fixed.
NO OTHER NATTER DISCUSSED.
During the discussion there was no ref
erence made to the tariff bill or to an apl
portionment bill.
The vote in favor of adopting the rule, as
stated, was 25 to 2 two not voting.
A senator said, after the adjournment,
that the practical effect Of the vote was the
adoption of the rule proposed. The recom-
initial of the rule, he said,
was due TO disposition on
part of the majority of the caucus to
postpone putting it in operation until
necessity arose for its use. Those in favor
of the adoption of the rule. he said, were
divided into two classes, one Of which
favored immediate consideration of
the rule with a view to
its adoption by the Senate The
other and larger class believed it best 10
wait until the minority actually showed
disposition to delay apd obstruct the trans
action of business and then bring the rule
| before the Senate for its action. The Sem
ate will ,:.the senator, continuing. said, take
up the tariff bill and dispose of it before
considering the election bill, but the latter
will be acted upon.
| TO BE APPLIED TO THE TARIFF TALK.
| The rule to limit debate will be applied to
discussion of the tariff bill. If necessary to
| close the debate on 1t in time to take up the
election bill. The decision of the republican
senators to consider the latter, he said, was
settled. In view Of the absence of eigh.
teen senators from the conference,
who may not feel themselves bound
to accept the conclusions reached,
the programme outlined above may possi-
bly, not be carried out Two Of to-nights
absentees were Senators Plumb and VOL
colt. who have been classed as opponents of
the proposition to change the rules for the
purpose of expediting consideration of the
election:bill Should their two votes be
added to the two negative votes In confer
ence tonight and those of the two senators
who did not vote they would be sufficient
with the solid democratic vote to defeat the
adoption of the proposed rule, or even its
| consideration.