New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-23

Mr. Adrch replied that II should not II the existing
rules were of such nature as to prevent action
lie did not think that competent for the senate
TO establish rule that would prevent its successors
changing the rules Proceeding 10 comment upon the
action OF the Democratic senators, he denounced that
action as revolutionary in the highest degree. II was
within the range Of possibility for senators OH the
other side TO prevent for time land, possibly, for
all time) the transaction Of any business. Another
thing disclosed by yesterdays proceedings tina,
tile rules OF the Senate did not prevent datoy tactics
The Republicans knew that under the present rules
they were completely in the power of the minority
The nominal majority Of the Senate sat on the Re
publican side and held responsible for legislation
But with responsibility should power. If the
majority had power to legislate on any subject
except with the consent Of the minority, the re-
sponsbility did not properly belong to the majority
lie then went to enumerate the important bills
pending in the Senate which must be passed before the
4th of March.
Mr.. Harris-f you move TO proceed TO the considera
ton Of appropriation bills or any Of those bills you
have mentioned, you can get unanimous consent on
this side.
Mr. Aldricll--That is exactly what have said II
we yield the dication Of the minority and let it say
what legislation shall be considered everything Is
all right.
Continuing, Mr. Aldrich said that in his opinion tho
time was coming when the previous question and the
absolute previous question would be found necessary
in order TO allow the Senate to transact its business
Believing this sincerely" Mr. Adrich said in
clusion, Il that the Sena'e proceed to the
consideration Of the resolution submitted by me on
the Goth OF December"
Mr. Harris-I rise TO a question Of order: which is
thai the motion Of the Senator from Rhode Island
is not In order.
The Vice Presdcnt-The question is the motion made
by the Senator from Rhode Island that the Senate
do proceed to the consideration of the following
resolution
The Clerk thereupon read the resolution proposing
change of rules.
Mr. Harris asked for the reading of Rule g. The
rule read. 1t provides that the presiding officer,
having taken the chair, the journal Of che preceding
day shall be read and any mistake corrected and that
q motion 10 correct the journal shall be a privileged
question: and shall be proceeded with until disposed Of
Mr. Aldrich called for the reading Of Rule s The
rule read 1t is to the effect that at he begin
ming Of the morning business each day the Senate
will proceed 10 the consideration Of the calendar Of
bills and resolutions and shall continue such consdera-
ton until o'clock
Mr. Harris stated his point of order TO be that the
correction of the Journal question % the highest
privilege; and that the unfinished business this
ing Mr. Germans motion to correct the journal Of
Tuesday.
Mr. Aldrich-Debate is not in order.
Mr. Harris-I am quite well aware of that as the
Senator from Rhode Island is: and do mo- propose to
debate. am stating question of order.
Mr.. Aldrich stated his view of the parliamentary
position Of the question, and submitted that if there
any unfinished business il his resolution to
amend the rules, and that the question OF the
rcction Of the journal would stand until the resou
tion was disposed of. Even If Mr. Iar1s's point OF
order question of privilege. he mr. Ndrchl could
not be taken off the floor.
After some further discussion Mr.. Sherman argued
that If the motion to corrcc. The journal q
privileged question, privileged question might be
set aside at any time by majority vote.
Mr.. German started TO discuss the general subject
but was soon interrupted BY another objection from
Mr.. Aldrich. That gave the NicePresident the OPP
pounity Of expressing the opinion that the discussion
should be confined to Mr. IIarriss point Of order.
Then Mr.. Teller came forward as a champion o.
free debate, and lie wanted the Nicclresident TO state
any rule that gave the senator from Rhode Island the
right to call any Senator to order for the manner in
which he discussing any matter before the Sen
ate. lie protested against anybody acting censor
Of any Senator
Mr.. Adrich defended his right to do What he had
DONE but Mr. Teller insisted that Mr. German
speaking by permission Of the senate. and not by
permission of the Senator from Rhode Islend, who
seemed to be boss Ia the matter. once more tho
Vice President stated that he would. for the present,
hear discussion the point of order; but Mr.. Cor
man paid only slight attention TO the technical cues
ton involved and proceeded 10 make general review
Of the situation.
The Vice President repeated the statement that he
was prepared TO rule the question. and expressed
the hope that Mr.. German would not occupy much
time. The suggestion, however. had little eject, and
Mr.. German went with his remarks in his way.
Some further discussion followed. I'm which MeSsrs.
Edmunds ai7d Carlisle took part, and then the Vice
President Overrued the point of order made by Mr..
Harris. The Chair, lie said. did not find any rule
bearing the question Of approving any other jour
nal than that Of the preceding day, and was of the
opinion that the motion Of the senator from Rhode
Island was in order. The Chair had no private desire
to do otherwise than TO administer the rules of the
Senate as he understood them.
Mr. Harris appealed from the decision. but the ruling
was sustainedyeas 80, nays 30-aS follows
Yeas-Messrs Aldrlch, Allen. Blair, Carey. CASEY.
Cpllom, Davis, Dixon, DOlph, Edmunds Evarts, Far
well, Frye, Hale. liawley. Higgins, Iiscock, Ioar,
Mcconnell, Mcmillan. MandersOn, Mitchell, Morrill,,
Paddock. Plat, Power. sanders, sawyer, sherman,
shOup, spoOner stockbndge Warren, Washburn, VIII
son (Of lowal-3j.
Nays-Messrs. Barbour, Batc, Berry, blackburn. Car
isle Cockre Coke Eustis, Faulkner. George Gibson,
German, Gray Hampton. Harris. Jones arkansas,
Kcnna, Mcpherson, Morgan, pasco, Payne, Pugh,
Ransom, Reagan, stewart Teller, Tmpie, Vance,
Walthal. WOlcott-30.
Pairs were announced as follows: Messrs Chandler
aid Blodgett. Pierce and Brown. Cameron and Butler,
Pettgrew and Call squire and Daniel lIawcs and Col
quit Allison and ingalls,, Stanford and Hearst, Plumb
and Vest, Moody and Voorhees, Quay aud Wilson
(Maryland)
Mr.. German moved TO lay Mr.. Adrich's motion
the table.
Mr.. Adrich made the point Of order that the motion
was not In order.
Mr.. German called on the Vice President 10 cite
rule showing that 1t not I'm order.
After some search the Vice-Prcsdent stated that no
did not find any such rule. and he entertained tho
motion. 1t was lost-yeas 80, nays 80.
The vice-President then directed the clerk TO call
the roll on Mr.. Adrichs motion, but Mr.. Ransom
interjected a point of order. This point was that
of he of
terday read the proposition now submitted TO tho
Senate and upon which the vote was to be taken,
was adopted by the senate, hepgh morally Senators
knew that the journal spoke u fal>ehOod. But there
stood the journal declaring that on the Goth tho
proposition of the senator from Rhode Island was
In iho