The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-01-21
THE CLOSURE RULE PENDING.
Senator AIdrich Succeeds In Cutting
Off Ancient History.

WASHINGTON, January 20.-Mr. Aldrich
moved that the Senate proceed to the consid-
GRAFTON of the resolution to change the rules
submitted by him December %. The motion
was agreed to without contest ou the Demo-
cratic side.
Mr.. Harris arose to q question of order.
He quoied rule 40, which provides that no
motion to modify, amend or suspend q rule,
or part thereof, Is in order except on one
days Dotice. in writing, specifying precisely
the rule, or part, that 1t Is proposed to sus-
pend. modify or amend, and the parts there
OF. The notice given did not, he said, call
attention to the part Of any rule that sit was
proposed should be modified. 1t simply left
the chair and each senator to find out for
himself. He argued that the notice was not
sufficiently specific. Inc discussion was
proceeding when, at o'clock, the Vics Pres
ident laid before the Senate, as unfinished
business, the elestions bill. Mr.. George coz
tinued his speech against it. The point OF
order was made by Mr.. Edmunds that the
question of change of the rules was a privi-
legged question which superseded all her
business. This point was contested by Mr.
Blackburn. Mr.. George claimed the floor
and declined to yield TO anybody.
After he had spoken for three hours, But
Ter attempted to giv- him a rest by having
chapter of the Revised Statutes read. The
Vice President refused to allow anyone to
lHbULlCko Will OtUER6, WuO udu Luc
floor, and he proceeded with history Of
slavery. Finally Aldrlch asked George to
yield voluntarily while he, Aldricb, renewed
his motion. to tase up the resolution in re-
gard to changing the rules. Senators OBJ
iected, claiming that on the face Of the Vice
wayto Aldrich. After considerable debate.
Aldrich was allowed to address the Chair.
He moved that the Senate do now proceed
to the consideration Of resolution submit
Tod hx fh.,O nfh nf haa aha.r rr1tf fnh
was under consideration during the morning
hour.
MIR. Morgan addressed the Chair.
The Vice President, without recognizing
Morgan; put the question on Aldri his mo
tion. There was a response of ayes, fol
the ayes appear to have lt.
Mr.. Morgan pressed his claim to recogni-
tion. saying he had addressed the Chair five
or six times, and ne thought the Chair saw
to state his objection.
said Mr.. Morgan My point of order is
this: The Senator from Mississippi (GeOr e)
b d the hoor and yieldt d 1t, under some agree
ment H. t yet explained to the Senate l
have several times asked very respectfully
to know what the agreement was; now
respectfully ask the Chair W neither the Sem
ator from Mississippi has yielded the floor
absolutely or under some agreement,
That is true, exactly" said Edmunds.
"Yes," coincided Morgan; shut want to
know whether there was any agreement" 4
$50 far as | am concerned" Aldrich said.
81 addressed the char very politely and
respectfully" Morgan was going on to say,
when Edmunds broke 10 with an inquiry as
to what the pending question was. "rhe
resolution being pending" said Aldrich, II
move that the Senate adjDurn."
At this point the Vice President recog-
niZed Ransom, who asked Aldrich whether
ne withdrew his motion to adjourn. II do
not" said Aldrlch. Thereupon the Vice
President put the question at 6.15 and de-
clared the Senate adjourned.