Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-22
THE CLOTURE RULE.
The Resolution Providing For It
Adopted by the Senate.
THREE REPUBLICAN SENATORS
Vote With the Democrats in Or
position to the Motion.
KILLING TIME IN THE HOUSE.
KILLING TIME IN THE HOUSE



Immediately after the prayer the Vice Presi-
dent directed the reading of the journal of yes
terday's proceedings.
Mr.. Faulkner suggested that there was no
quorum present and the roll was called, dis
and the journal was read.
Mr.. Aldrich inquired whether the question
was on the approval of the journal, and receiv-
ing an affirmative reply said that he wished to
address the Senate briefly. The journal just
history of the Senate of the United States. 1t
disclosed the fact that it was the determined
policy of democratic Senators to prevent
any legislation or any action unless their
wishes as to certain measures should
receive consideration and be acceded
to. The republicans had long ago been
aware Of this fact, but not until yesterday had
all disguise been thrown of. This purpose on
the part Of the members of the minority was Of
such character that it could not for a moment
be acceded to. To accede to that intolerant
and outrageous domination of a minority would
be to strike a serious blow at free institutions.
The action OF the minority was revolutionary.
Mr.. Aldrich then quoted from a speech de-
ivered by Senator Hill of Georgia, while a
member Of the Senate, denouncing as revolu-
tionary the action of the republican Senators
in refusing to vote upon the army appropria-
ton bill.
MR.. STEWART MAKES SOME INQUIRIEs
MIR. Stewart inquired whether the Senator
from Rhode Island believed that it was proper
upon any measure for Senators to sit silent and
refuse to vote.
Mr.. Aldrich replied that, in his opinion, it
was not.
Mr.. Stewart inquired whether it was proper
for the Senate to violate its own rules. Demo
cratic laughter.l
Mr.. Aldrich answered that that was
question he did not exactly understand. When
a bill was under consideration the body was
bound to follow the rules it had adopted until
they we're changed. 1t was clearly the right of
cordance with the provisions of unwritten Law
in every country to change its rules.
Mr.. Harris inquired whether in changing its
rules the Senate must not be governed by its
existing rules
Mr.. Aldrich replied that it should not if the
existing rules were of such a nature as to pre-
vent action.
Mr.. Harris said that the gentlemans asser-
tion was that, in changing the rules. the exist
ing rules must be ignored and violated. The
change must be made regardless of existing
rules whenever a bare majority desire to make
the change.
Mr.. Aldrich said that the gentleman was put
ting words in his mouth that he had not used
Mr.. Harris replied that the gentleman had
used words Of the same import.
DEMOCRATIC ACTION DENOUNCED.
Mr.. Aldrich said that he did not think that
1t was competent for the Senate to establish a
rule that would prevent its successors chang
ing the rules Proceeding to comment upon
the action of the democratic Senators he de-
nounced that action as revolutionary in the
highest degree. 1t was within the range Of
possibility for Senators on the other side TO
prevent for o time (and possibly
for all time) the transaction of
A. Al
terday's proceedings was that the rules Of the
Senate did not prevent dilatory tactics. The
republicans knew that under the present rules
they were completely in the power of the mi
nority. The nominal majority of the Senate sat
on the republican side and was held responsible
for legislation. But with responsibility
should come power. II the majority had no
power to legislate on any subject except with
the consent of the minority, the responsibility
did not properly belong to the majority. He
then went on to enumerate the important bills
pending in the Senate, which must be passed
before the 4th Of March.
Mr.. Harris-H you move to proceed to the
consideration of appropriation bills or any of
these bills you have mentioned you can get
unanimous consent on this side.
Mr.. Aldrich-That is exactly what I have
said. Ii we yield to the dictation of the
minority and let it say what legislation shall
be considered everything is all right. Con-
tinuing, Mr.. Aldrich said that in his opinion
the time was coming when the previous ques-
ton, and the absolute previous question, would
be found necessary in order to allow the Senate
to transact its business.
1t became the positive duty of the Senate in
some way and by some means TO SO change its
rules as to allow it to proceed in an orderly
and regular manner to discharge the great
functions imposed upon it by law. Believing
this sincerely, Mr.. Adrich said in conclusion:
81 now move that the Senate proceed to the
consideration of the resolution submitted by
me on December 49,"
Mr. Harris and Mr.. German rose and ad-
dressed the chair.
MR. ALDRIcH DECLINES TO YIELD.
Mr.. Adrich-I do not yield the floor. ask
that my motion be submitted to the Senate and
that the resolution be read.
Mr.. Harris-It may be read as q part Of the
Senator's remarks.
Mr. Aldrich-No, sir. make the motion.
Mr.. Harris-I rise to a question of order,
which is that the motion Of the Senator from
Rhode Island is not in order.
Mr.. Aldrich-I am willing to submit that to
the decision of the chair.
Mr.. HarrisI ask the chair to have rule s
read.
Mr.. Edmunds-Let the chair state the mo-
The Vice President-The question is the mo-
ton made by the Senator from Rhode Island
that the Senate do now proceed 10 the consider
alton of the following resolution.
Inc clerk tnereupon re2u the res0lutl0n pro-
posing a change Of rules.
MIR. Harris asked for the reading of rule s.
The rule was read. 1t provides that the
presiding officer having taken the chair,
the journal Of the preceding day
shall be read, and any mistake corrected, and
that motion TO correct the journal shall be q
privileged question and shall be proceeded with
until disposed Of.
Mr.. Aldrich called for the reading of rule g.
The rule was read. 1t is to the effect that, ct
the commencement Of the morning business
each day the Senate will proceed TO the con-
alteration Of the calendar Of bills and resolu-
tions and shall continue such consideration
until 2 o'clock.
Mr.. Harris stated his point of order to be
that the correction Of the journal was ques-
tion Of the highest privilege, and that the un-
hnished business this morning was Mr.. Cor
mans motion to correct the journal Of Tuesday
Mr.. Aldrich-Debate il not in order.
Mr.. Harris-l am quite a. well aware Of that
- the Senator from Rhode Island ia and do
not propose TO debate. am stating question
Of order.
TEE vIcB RAnsrDENr's D8cuIoN.
After further debate the Vice President ruled
tlhat Mr.. Adrish's motion 10 proceed 70 the
consideration Of the closure rule Il in order
and ovefTuled Mr.. Harrb point Of order. Mr..
Harris appealed, but The chair vas sustAinsd--
yeas S6, nays 30-Heesrs. Tellsr, Wolcott and
etewart voting With tie democrata
M. Adx1ch moved TO proceed 70 Tie eon1id-
eration Of his resolution (olosure).
Mr.. 0ormAu moved 10 tab1o Il
Ihe Vice Prssidsat submft1sd lie question