The Indianapolis journal., 1891-01-27
Opponents of the Elections Bill Succeed
in Side-Tracking the Closure Rule.
In the Absence of Senator Stanford and with
the Aid Of Seven Free-C Coinage Republicans,
the Democrats Score Victory.
Pre-Arranged Plot That Greatly Sur
priSed the Friends of the Measure.
Apportionment Bill Taken UpinIts Place by
Majority of 0ne-Great Joy Among the
Brigadiers of the Lower House.



UNTRUE To THEIR PARTY.
Seven Republican Senators Join with the
Democrats to Defeat the Elections Bill
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 26.-Again the cleo
tions bill has received black eye in the
house of its friendA The Senate to-day
displaced the closure resolution, which is
conceded by everyone to be necessary to
the adoption Of the elections bill. and took
up the reapportionment bill The move
ment was a great surprise and made q SON.
sation. The motion to lay aside the closure
resolution was made by Mr.. Wolcott of
Colorado, who evidently knew the situa-
tion. for the vote disclosed just one major
ity. The Republicans who supported the
movement were Wolcott and Teller of Col
orado, Washburne of Minnesota, Cameron
of Pennsylvania. and Stewart and Jones
of Nevada. Mr.. ingalls, of Kansas was
paired against the resolution, and Mr..
Stanford of California was absent with
out pair, making eight Republicans
who either voted to displace the closure
resolution or cast their support that way
by pair or failure TO make q pair. It is
stated that the movement carried out TO-
day was arranged at the residence of SEN
ator Harris. of Tennessee last night. and
that some of the Republicans who support
ed it were present when the programme
was made.
Just before the motion by Mr.. Wolcott,
he and Mr.. Stewart, of Nevada, circulated
in hurried manner among the occupants
of the Democratic side of the chamber, and
the details for carrying into effect the con-
cersed movement were perfected. The Re-
publicans were for the moment thunder
struck. While the vote was being taken
Senator German leaned back in his chair,
his face wreathed in smiles apparently
knowing what the outcome of the vote
would be. Unquestionably the six Repub-
licans. led by Mr.. Wolcott and the entire
Democratic leadership. knew their exact
strength, and were conscious that they had
majority of one. 1t is very probable that
some of the Senators have had an inklipg
of this move for more than o week. as there
were frequent hurried and secret inter-
views between certain Republicans and
Democrats on the floor Of the Senate almost
hourly during the latter part of last week.
SENATOR HoAR DIsGUsTED.
As soon as the closure RESOLUTION was laid
aside. and an agreement reached whereby
the apportionment bill is to come up to-
morrow, at o'clock, and keep the foor till
disposed of. Senator Hoar. who has had
charge of the elections bill ever since 1t
came over from the House last summer.
heaved a deep sigh, and. jamming his hands
far down into his breeches pockets, stalked
away to his committee-room in disgust, and
with an air of indifference as to subsequent
proceedings.
The best friends of the elections bill
frankly acknowledge that the outlook for
its success is almost hopeless. There can
no longer be any excuse for MAINTAINING
that either the closure resolution or the cleo
tions bill has any real encouragement. The
action of the recaloitrant Republicans in
joining the Democrats to SIDE track the two
leading questions before the Senate was
greeted with such vigorous Democratic ap-
plause from the galleries that Vice-presi-
dent Morton, at the suggestion of Mr.. Ed
munds, severely rebuked the visitors.
In the House the news was first received
by Mr.. Mills of Texas. 1t was during q roll
call. Instantly the Lone Star statesman
sprang to his feet, and rushing wildly down
the aisle. screamed out hysterically: "Mr.
Speaker, understand the Senate has killed
the force bill" The announcement was re-
ceived with wild enthusiasm on the part of
the Democrats on the floor and their sympa-
thizers in the galleries.
There remain of this session but five
weeks and one day. Mr.. Allison. chair
man of the Senate committee on appropria-
tions. told your correspondent, this after
noon, that all of three weeks continu-
GUS consideration of the appropria-
tion bills would be required In or
der to complete those measures before
the 4th of March. This leaves but two
weeks and day for general legislation.
Not one-half of the work upon the regular
appropriation bills has been completed. 1t
is stated that the reapportionment bill will
occupy nearly all of this week in the Sem
ate. Then there are the bankruptcy. Su-
Cultural, international copyright and other
bills which, of necessity. must be passed,
but not half of these can be acted upon be-
fore the time comes when the appropriation
bills must be taken - up p if they are all
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE NATTER
The Associated Press reporter thus de-
scribes the situation: It is an undeniable
fact that Senator Aldrich and the Repub-
lican Senators were completely taken by
surprise by the action of the Senate to-day
in laying aside the closure resolution and
taking up the apportionment bill There
was no expectation on their part that any
important vote would be reached to-day,
and at least one Republican Senator, who
was in the city, was told that he might
safely leave the Capitol to attend to some
departmental business Consequently he
was not present when the decisive votes
were taken, and il was with difficulty
that pair could be arranged for him.
Senator Stanford was recorded as alb
sent and impaired. His vote for
the motion TO table Senator Wolcott's mo-
tion to take up the apportionment bill
would have defeated the motion, as the re-
sulting tie would have called for the cast
| ing vote by the Vice-president, without
doubt in favor of the continued consldera-
| tion of the closure rule The same result
would have followed the arrangement of q
| pair by Senator Stanford with q Demo-
cratic Senator.
The move made to-day by Senator VOL
colt was thoroughly timed from his point
of view, for it was expected that, in the
course of forty-eight hours &C most,