The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-01-23
The Force Bill.

Senator Hoar's Force Bill was set aside, in
the Senate, on the 5.h of January, for the
silver bill, by the votes of the Democrats,
>~aided by eight Republican Senators. 1t was
hoped that the dangerous measure would not
be brought up again, but on the 14th instant
it came to the front once more, though Vice
President Morton casting vote. Since that
time the Democratic Senators have stubborn
" contested every inch of ground and if the
bill gets through the Senate at all the Re-
publicans must furnish quorum and pass it
themselves
The Senate was in session all last Friday
night, the members getting what rest they
could in the cloak rooms. Whenever the
Democrats made motion to adjourn sleepy
looking Republicans issued from their rest
ing-places and voted to continue the session.
At go Saturday morning Mr.. Faulkner,
who began his speech against the Force Bill
at II o'clock on Friday, resumed and con-
cluded at 1890, having spoken nearly twelve
hours.
Senator Daniel followed, and amendments
offered by Democrats were voted down with
out debate. Senator German made an ap-
peal to Mr.. Hoar for fair play, pleading for
an opportunity for discussion, instead OF cut
ting off debate by summarily laying amend
ments on the table. Mr.. Hoar, however,
was deaf to every appeal and the farce con-
tinued until Saturday evening.
at is difficult to say" remarks the Balti.
more Sum- "whether the spectacle presented
by the Senate during the prolonged vigils OF
Of Friday night is more of farce or TRACE
dy. Farcical it certainly must be considered,
viewed from the standpoint OF common
sense, and regarding the Senate itself as
deliberative body, whose action is to be de-
termined by reason and argument, and not
by the ability of one side to keep awake
longest or go longest without a change of
clothes. Tragical it may seem to some, as
suggesting the dying agonies OF once great
party forced TO resort to such desperate ex-
pedients to maintain its waning supremacy
and strengthen its failing hold upon place
and power"
On Tuesday there was an interesting strug-
gle In the Senate. Mr.. George was speaking
against the Force Bill, but finally yielded the
floor to Mr.. Alrich to make motion, when
the latter moved to take up the cloture reso-
olution. This is intended to permit the pre-
siding officer to cut of debate at his own
pleasure and force vote. Mr.. Alrich fol-
lowed up his motion by motion to adjourn
which was declared carried. Dir. Alrlch's
object was to get up his cloture resolution
before the Senate on Wednesday as unfnisb-
ed business.
On Wednesday Senator German started
discussion on the correction of the journal,
and debate on the subject dragged along all
day, to the extreme disgust of Mr.. Hoar.
During the day Vice President Morton left
his place and called Senator Blair to preside.
The latter showed disposition to act the
part of dictator, similar 10 that played by
Reed in the House, and it seems evident that
if the Force Bill gets through the Senate it
can only be by arbitrary action hitherto un-
known in that body, by which discussion
may be summarily stopped. 1t is amazing
that Hoar and his fellow obstructionistsswill
persist in endeavoring to pass a law which
is opposed by three-fourths of the respect
able Republican newspapers in the country
and which is adverse to the business interests
ofevery section.