Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-01-23
THE FORCE BILL.

Since the last issue OF the REGISTER
the Force bill has once more been
brought TO the front, and its consider
ation in the Senate has not been
without incidents OF interest. Last
Friday old Mr.. Hoar, the bills wet
nurse, insisted that the Senate re-
main in continuous session until the
bill was disposed Of. The Senate
thereupon refused to adjourn at the
usual time. But the Democrats sx-
hibited most excellent staying powers,
aud finally, on Saturday evening at
a O'Clock, after q continuous session
OF shout thirty hours, Mr.. Hoar him
self made the motion that adjourned
the Senate until Monday-and the
Force bill was still up. Senator
Faulkner of this State covered him
self with glory. He obtained the
floor at 10 o'clock Friday night and
held it continuously until 10 o'clock
Saturday morning, talking al the
time. His speech was an analysis OF
the Force bill from q lawyers stand
point. aud he pointed out its glaring
defects and inconsist encies in a mas
terly manner. Senator Faulkner also
succeeded In drawing the Republi-
cans into controversies in spite OF
their determination not to discuss the
measure. He was given rest now
and then by some Democratic Sens
tor who would spring some point OF
order or start . discussion with the
view OF consuming time. Senator
Faulkner did not appear to be tagged
out when he yielded the floor to Sen
ator Daniel, but il necessary we sup
pose he would have been there yet.
The lengthy session of the Senate
was not without it's humorous fea-
lures. Some OF the older Senators
were unequal to the task of staying
up all night, yet their presence was
absolutely necessary to maintain
Quorum. Poor old Mr.. Evarts of
New York had gone home about two
o'clock in the morning, and had just
put on his night-cap and prepared
himself for needed repose when the
sergeant-at-arms called and carried
him back to the Capitol. Other
Senators locked themselves up in
remote rooms or hid themselves in the
corners of the building, but their
stolen sleep would be rudely inter-
rupted by the Senate officials. The
Republicans got pretty sick OF theil
Job by Saturday evening, and realiz-
ing that they couldn't tire out the
Democrats. let go their hold to take
q fresh grip.
On Monday the fight was resumed,
with Senator George speaking against
the bill. He continued his speech I'm
til the Senate adjourned, and Tue :
day morning still had the floor. The
Republicans on Tuesday managed to
bring forward the cloture resolution,
or gag law. the object OF which is to
shut off debate and take vote on
the bill Tuesday was occupied In
discussing this measure, the Demo
Gratis succeeding quite well in their
endeavor to tangle up the Vice-Presi-
dent in a parliamentary snarl. When
the Senate adjourned Tuesday even
Ing the Republicans had the clotur q
reso ution under discussion, with the
evident intention Of pushing it
through as soon rs possible after the
manner of Speaker Reed in the
House. But the Democrats had the
condition of business in such n mixed
state that the Vice-President felt as
though he would like to HE away to
lodge in some vast wilderness.
On Wednesday the Democrats in
the Senate held the Republicans at
bay from noon until midnight, discuss
ing the parliamentary situation. The
cloture resolution had no show at ALL
and when the Senate adjourned the
| Democrats were again Vic NiClOio.
The Republicans are becoming des-
perate over the successful resistance
of the Democrats, and exciting events
NAV occur within the next few days.
In the meantime. the emocrats in
the House have been playing a fine
hand. They refuse to do the work Of
Congress while the Senate is doing
the dirty work of the other party
Consequently business has been al-
most at a standstill. On Tuesday Mr.
Mills resisted one OF the arbitrary
rulings Of Speaker Reed, and rushing
to that gentleman's desk shook his
fist under his nose, pouring out a
fiery flood Of denunciation. You are
practicing fraud upon the House"
he said. land you know it." He re-
peated his charge, and dehed the
House to pass vote OF censure.
Matters finally qnieted down, but
the House at present appears to be
a Numbering volcano.
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