The Portland daily press., 1891-01-27
WHAT MlCHT HAVE BEEN,
What -he. Closure Resolution
Really ls.
'pecial to the Press,l

lopocla 10 tne freSS.l
WASHINGTON. January 26-The closure
resolution of the Senate, of which much has
Deen SAID OF late, especially by the Demo-
Gratis, who have denounced it as revolution.
ary, is intended to enable the majority of the
Senate to stop debate after 1t has proceeded
suitable time and enable vote to be tax
en-. The House Of Representatives has had
the means of doing this for hundred years
or so. The English House OF Commons has
had such means since the memorable fiibus-
tering OF the Irish members made it necessa
ry to adopt 1t or allow the entire legislative
business OF the empire to be blocked. The
French Assembly also has the means of stop
ping debate.tBut in the United States Senate
talk has been eternal. The Aldrich closure
resolution does not contemplate the cutting
OIL OF depate Immediately. After closure has
been ordered each Senator may speak thirty
minutes on the question, or for eighty-eieht
Senators. the present number, there would
be allowed foIty-f0ur hours or about seven
legislative days supposing daily sessions to
pe Oh the ordinary length. But the resolu-
ton would put 1t In the hands of the major
ity iS . close debate sometime. a power which
dne SENATE rules have not hitherto given.
The full text Of the resolution is as follows
Resolved, That for the remainder of this sess.
ion the rules Of the Senate be amended by addins
thereto the following: - s
When any bill, resolution, or other question
snail have been under consideration for a reason
able time 1t shall be In order for any Senator 10
demand that debate thereon be Closed ON sueh
demand no debate shall be in order and bending
sucn demand no other motion except one motion
to.adlourn shall be made. II such demand be sec
onded 0y majority OF the Senators present the
question shall forthwith be taken thereon With
OUT ueoate. IL the Senate shall decide to close
keDate on any BILL resolution, or other question.
tne measure shall take presidence OF all other
business whatever. and the question shall be put
upon me amendments, ifsany then pending, and
upon tne measure IN its successive stages Accord
Ing 10 the rules OF the senate hut without further
deosie, except that every Senator who NAV desire
snail De permitted TO speak upon the measure in
ciuulng all amendments, not more than once ard
not exceeding thirty minutes.
Alter the Senate shall have decided To close de-
pate as nerelh provided, no motion shall be in or
uer put mOtlon 10 adjourn or to take a recess
wnen such motions shall be seconded by a major,
lty Oi lne senate. When either of said motions
snail nave been lost or shall have failed of sec
ono, II snail De IN order to renew the same until
one senator snail nave spoken upon the pending
tervened. ~
Pending proceedings under the foregoing rule
no proceeding ln respect of a quorum shall be in
order until II shall have appeared on division or
On tne Iaklpg Oh the yeas and nays that quorum
Is not present and voting.
Fendleg proceedings under the foregoing rule
al queStlons OF order. whether upon appeal or
otherwise, shall be decided without debate, and
no oOstr ructive or dlatOry motion or proceedings
Oh any kind shall be in order.