New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-21
THE CLOSURE FIGHT BEGUN
THE ALDRICH RESOLUTION FOR THE RIGHT
OF WAY IN THE SENATE.
1T WILL COME UP TO-DAY FOR DlscUssloN-A
BITTER PARLIAMENTARY WRANGLE MARKS
YESTERDAYS PROCEEDINGs-soME
LIVELY EPISODES.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUsE.I

ate The Democratic managers consumed all but
about ten minutes of the morning hour over matters OF
minor importance and then made lao opposition TO tax
ing I'D the proposed rule. Mr.. Harris talked through
the remaining interval Of time point Of order
against the resolution, which he claimed was not
drawn with technical precision At O'Clock the Lice
bill was laid before the senate In accordance Win
the standing rule, apd Mr.. George, who had yielded the
Goor informally last evening for an adjournment got
up TO continue his remarks. Mr.. Aldrch tried 10 m
terpOse a motion TO lay aside the Election bill ana
proceed with the closure resolution but the Mississippi
seator declined buntly to give way for any purpose
whatever and the Vice President obliged to recog-
nize his right to so ahead. This was discontinue
apparently for Mr. A!drch who had supposed that
the Democratic senators would DO glad to lay aside the
Election bill any possible pretext
Mr. German saw a chance, however, OF securing a
few hours more OF delay, and lie told Mr. George 70
talk until he got tired and then to try TO yield in
formally to some other Democratic senator, who was
to occupy the floor while he took breathing spell
such a plan was, fact, adopted later IN the after
noon when Mr.. George attempted to have Mr.. Butler
do some reading while lie rested, but the VicePresi-
dent promptly and properly ruled that Mr. george
could not farm out the floor in that way TO otlcr
Senators except by unanimous consent; 50 the question
became Of endurance simply on Mr. Georges part
lie got weary as the minutes rolled on and by
o'clock ready to abandon his uresome task lIo
made the proposition, consequently, that he should
yield TO Mr. Adrich but should have an unlimited
claim to the floor when the Election bill should be
taken up again. This offer declined and Mr..
George renewed his efforts.
q shortly before 6 O'Clock he yielded uncOndtonaIy
and Mr. Aidrich made the motion 10 proceed TO tho
consideration OF the closure resolution. On viva
vote the Vice President announced that the yeas
seemed 10 have it, and the resolution was laid before
the Senate and read. MI. Morgan and Mr. Ransom
then tried to make the point that the Char
had not really announced the result OF the
Ransom in excited way declared that the proposed
rule was not properly before the Senate Mr. Aldrch
In the meantime had moved an adjournment ullu
10 O'Clock tomorrow morning and the Nice-PIesi-
dent had put the question and declared II carIlen'
Mr. Ransom then went to the Clerks desk and ell
tered into an earnest and excited discussion with the
clerks and the Official reporter and so vigorous were
his declarations about his failure 10 understand the
things as they that he attracted and drew INTO
the discussion the Vice President and MI Adrich'
The official reporter asked to read his tenographc
notes, and, although he confirmed the general recol
lection and understanding of all others present. thls
did not relieve Mr.. Ransom of his doubt about what
lad really taken place. He continued to geSucuate
and protest. Gradually the little crowd withdrew ana
Mr. German came forward 20 pacify the North
Carolina statesman but, convinced against his WILL
Mr. Ransom left the Chamber and went home still
unsatisfed. He may bring the matter up tomorrow
on the question of approving to-day's Journal
The debate on the Aldrich resolution viii be begun
in all probability. 1t is recognized that the only way
TO secure action upon the proposed rule viii be to stop
the debate at some point by more or less pegenptor
action. The plan likely 10 be pursued Will nciude
an announcement the part of the Chair tAat after
fixed time he will decline TO recognize any one for
further discussion. and test of this decision by
reference to the Senate. The Republican MANAGERS
will wait a favorable opportunity for some such
stroke and then carry through by force OF numbers
Mr. AIdrich had a quorum within reach today the
Republican strength having been Increased TO fofysN
by the arrival of Mr.. Farwell. MI Teller was sick
at home but would have come to the senate to Ill
out quorum. Mr.. Chandler is expected to return
at once and Mr.. Squire Of Washington. who was TO-
day renominated by the Republican legislative caucus
at Olympia. will also be back at the Capitol witmh
the next few DAYS. His return will give the hepuo
lean managers a margin of three votes 10 work upon.
Mr.. Aldrich will be the first speaker toHorIo"
on the proposed rule and he will be followed By 'ir
Allison. No list of Democratic speakers has yet been
arranged. Mr.. German would like TO try the strength
of the support behind the resolution by moving 70
refer TO the Committee on Rules; but such course
may be avoided for fear disclosing the real weakness
OF the opposition
After Mr.. George had spoken for nearly three
hours and hSf on the Election bill, Mr.. Butler Wlh
view to give him resting SPELL asked him 10 yieia
the floor that he, Mr.. butler might scnd 10 uio
clerks desk and have read the chapter OF the revised
statutes relating tn the subject of elections NJ!
George assented willingly, and after the secretary
had read for few minutes, Mr. Butler noticed that
the chapter which being read was not the one
lie meant; and lie sent for the volume and SAID he
would read the chapter himself Before he had begun
TO read Mr. Morgan rose and said that he now took
the floor on the Election bill: but he was Informed
by the Vice President that lie had the name Of the
Senator from Rhode Island, Mr.. Aldrch, next on
the list speak the bill. MI Morgan protested
against that as a violation OF the rule, and said
that the Chair could not make an agreement beforehand
10 parcel out the floor
The Vice Presidents response TO that was TO an
nounce that Mr.. George entitled to the floor and
Mr.. Edmunds insisted on the regular order
Mr.. George again offered TO yield the fOor to Mr..
Butler but that Mr.. Hoar objected. declaring that
one senator had not the right to hold the moor and
Weld 10 another except by unanimous consent other
wise Senator might hold the floor for the whole ses
sion.
The Vice President again announced that the Senator
from Mississippi was entitled TO the floor but Mr.
Butler suggested that Mr. George had yielded to him.
"He cannot yield TO anybody said Mr.. Edmunds
Then Mr. George inquired what the present
situation and whether he had the floor or not and was
again informed by the VicePresldcnt that he, Mr.
George entitled to the floor
Mr. Butler asked Mr. George If he would permit him
10 read a few sections from the Revised statutes.
II it be agreeable said Mr.. George, Ito the gen
tlemen who control the senate but do not wish to
be guilty of anything like high treason
Mr. Butler took that answer for a consent and said
that he would proceed TO read from the Revised stat
utes lie was stopped however. by au objection from
Mr. Hoar and the Vice President sustained the obec
ton Mr. Butler undertook 10 state the position Of
the question: but stopped by an objection from Mr.
Sherman who said that, point OF order having been
made against Mr.. Butler. 1t his duty TO take his
p. seat and allow the Chair to decide the point.
G. Mr.. Butler intimated that it unnecessary for
MIR. sherman 10 administer lecture to him.
Then" said Mr.. sherman, with show OF irritation,
~ demand the enforcement Of the rule
q The Vice President gave il as his opinion that Mr..
shermans point of order well taken aud that Mr..
Butler should resume his seat until the point was de-
cided by the Chair. MIR. Butler resumed lns seat.
The Chair is Of opinion" the Vice President said,
IL, he fnnr