New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-25
CHANGES IN SENATE RULES.
A PROCEEDING MADE NECESSARY BY DEMO.
CRATIC OPPOSITION.
DEEMED-THE SITUATION IN THE
UPPER HOUSE.
IsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

tsY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUSE1
washington, Nov. 24.-lt Is already apparent TO
everybody here at the Capitol that If the Senate is
10 pass any measures but appropriation bills at the
coming session IL will be Obliged to carry out at
once the pledge which was signed last september
BY forty-three Republican MEMBERS and modernize its
obsolete and Anticipated rules Of procedure. without
the immediate introduction Of the "previous question:
or equally enicent method OF restoring the con-
troll Of business to the majority, the passage of an
Election bill, an Apportionment bill, or any
other piece Of important political legislation,
will be practically impossible. There has
been from the the strongest determination on the
part of the Democrats TO defeat the Federal Election
bill by any means that might Offer and il is be-
coming clear that equally bitter fight will be made
against the proposed bin for the apportionment CT
Representatives under the eleventh The anxiety
Of the Democratic Senators defeat what they are
preparing TO denounce partisan" apportionment
km is even greater, perhaps than that to sthe the
present Senate in the interest OF honest Con-
that the Senate will attempt seriously the passage Of
the Election bill, are they as solcitous now as
they were before the last election about its operation,
should it become q law.
1t is understood that the Democratic leaders already
have plan 10 prevent the Election law from having
its legitimate effect upon the next Presidential election
even If it should be put in operation and succeed in
enforcing free and fair elections for Representatives in
Congress throughout the South. The plan is said to
contemplate changing the manner of choosing electors
in the Southern States, having them elected by the
Legislatures instead Of at the polls on the day of the
general election in November, TIL election Of the
Legislature having this power to be held be
fore the general election. This would apparently be
constitutional and would take the Presidential cleo
ton in these states out Of the supervising care OF the
Federal election law. The Congressional election
would of course under the Federal Election law
so far as ii was operative Accordingly, most Demo
Gratis seem be worried just now over the new appor
hopment They question the correctness of the census
Itself in the first place. and in the second place, they
profess to suspect the Republicans of designing to
manipulate the apportionment to put the Demo-
.rats at disadvantage. They pretend TO DeheVe uas
here was attempt at an accurate enumeration OF
the population of the whole country, and that, con-
sequently they have been deprived of gain OF some
fifteen or twenty Congressman which they expected.
They also say that the Republicans will attempt to cut
them out of several other, Congressman by the metod
of reappoYtionment Taken altogether these specious
pretnces will afford the Democratic senators ample
opportunity for obstruction An investigation OF ths
method of taking the census will be DEMANDED anu
every other possible obstacle will be put In the way OF
a inst and speedy division of representative power
among the States according their actual populations
If the Republicans in the House do their duty and
maintain a voting quorum nothing can prevent INC
passage Of an Apportionment bill through the popular
branch But If the Senate rules are not changed az
once the Democrats the fullest confidence in their
ability to defeat any OF apportonment WHICH
they may please to condemn in the least partisan
or unfair The Republican senators, Fortunately, VIII
be In better position than ever TO enforce sh s
AZ the coming session. The admission OF four new
members from the states of Idaho and wyoming VIII
Increase the Republican strength to 81 out OF tot
OF 6S-a clear majority OF Ia Forty,hve senators
Will make a quorum: that even with the absence
OF six of is number the majority would sui be able
to do business without asking the consent Oh 81, lhe
nat az the session will be Teller OF Colorado
one of the few opponents on the Republican side OF
n change of rules Mr.. Teller is candidate Tor re-
election and may be Obliged TO spend part OF tle
coming winter in Denver The adoption by tie senate
of SOME method of closing debate is in fact looked at
now as foregone conclusion. But of course even so
simple and sensible change in parliamentary methods
msv he exrected assume the mOmentous proportions
of a revolution In that somnolent and conservative
body. 80 1"