The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-01
BLAND'S SILVER FIGHT.
he EXPLAINS THE NATURE OF
THE CLOSURE RULE.

II !s Not the Gag Law Measure in
Vogue When the Republicans Were
in Control-Senators Morgan Springs
the Silver Question in the Senate.
WASHINGTON, March l.-Representative
Bland, the champion of free silver in the
House, In conversation with a report to-
day, expressed the opinion that considerable
Misunderstanding existed throughout the
country on the subject OF the proposed
"oloture" rule, which a large number Of
the democratic members of the House
asked to have uadopted to expedite
a,tion on the silver bill.
Mr.. Bland said: "The difficulty
We have had with the silver bill is an ap-
parent misunderstanding as to the real nat
ure of the rule that the speaker had in
tended to report to the House. 1t is not a
cloture rule further than that it is in aid of
the previous question. The previous ques.
ton is the cloture rule Of the House. We
have had it for over fifty years. There is
no cloture rule In the Senate.
NATURE OF THE RULE PROPOSED.
"The rule proposed to be reported to pass
the silver bill was simply rule to prevent
fhbustering by declaring it to be out of
order for the speaker to entertain filibuster-
ing motions. standing rule that we have
adopted gives TO the committee on rules the
power in this way to stop filibustering
That is to say, the committee on
rules reports rule to the
House providing that pending a proposition
on which the House wishes to come to a
vote the speaker is absolutely prohi itet
from entertaining filibustering motions
Dc Ia 10 -AsNl 10 IA
must adopt or reject 1t, 30 that it is the
House that must determine whether or not
the House wishes to stop tIibustering.
THE RULE IN THE LAST CONGRESS-.
The difference between this rule aud the
rules of the last congress is that the rules of
the Fifty-tirst congress gave to the speaker
himself absolute power to refuse to enterN
tain any dilatory motions. The rules Of the
FlfEy-first congress vested this power in the
speaker. The rules of this congress
vest this power in the House itself
But the House cannot act upon it without
report from the committee on rules. 1t
seems that the enemies of the silver bill,
after ascertaining that the speaker ins
tended to report rule to prevent filibuster-
ing, raised a hue and cry against cloture.
great many of our members being new
members were misled as to its actual nature.
NOT BITTER AGAINST CRISP.
"Since the matter is over I have learned
to my satisfaction that the speaker was beset
by good many members who had voted
for free coinage, and they told him they
would not vote for such rule. Conse-
quently he was apprehensive that
would vote against him. In view
Of this fact he changed his mind and re-
fused to report the cloture rule until a ma
1ority asked for it. I criticized his action
very severely. but did 30 without full in
formation as to the true situation. do not
censure him at this time for his action.
AN INCIDENT IN CARLIsLEs TIME.
During Cerlisle's administration as
speaker, tilibustering became so common
that it was impossible TO pass bill where
few active opponents filibustered against it,
and nearly every bill of Importance was
iilibustered against. 1t was a notable fact
that MIR. Weaver Of Iowa,
then a member Of the House,
acting alone, prevented the transaction
of any business in the House for three or
four days until the speaker. the House and
the country we're dlsgusted with the scene.
The democrats then realized the pecessity of
some rule by which fillbustering could be
prevented by the House, and had the re-
publicans in the Fifty-first congress gone
no further than our rules go now, the demo-
Gratis could not have reasonably objected to
them.n
SILVER SPRUNG ON THE SENATE.
In the Senate to-day after some impor-
tant proceedings Mr. Morgan offered a
series of resolutions instructing the commit
tee on finance to inquire and report as to
the effect Of the silver act of 1890 on
the price Of silver bullion, as to the
issue Of legal tender notes. etc.; and in
structing the committee to report promptly
on the matter, lnasmuch as great anxiety
existed among the industrial classes as to the
causes Of the depression of prices and
the paralysis of the markets. The
resolutions having been read, Mr.. Nor
gan started a discussion by stating that it
was his purpose to call them up Tomorrow
and to bring about, If he could, some dis
Gusslon OF the financial situation of the
United States. He wished to ascertain the
oplnlons Of the senator's in regard to the
necessity and propriety of frSe coinage Of
silver. He wished to ascertain whether on
either or on both sides of the chamber there
were senators who permitted the shadows of
coming heroes and presidential combatsnts
W come between their duty to the people
ana tnelr votes on question of the highest
possible Importance.
WANTS TO LEARN THE TROUBLE.
tie wanted to know what the trouble
PA0NOhbSu buS pSOplO VI AldDdLuh
from getting fair prices for their cotton
whether the cause was domestic aud local
one or was foreign one. He had his own
9pihions about it which he would take occas-
ION ION to express at the proper moment.
mere was a serious difficulty present
which ought to be attended to. 1t did not
MAKE my material difference
whether President Harrison or
anybody else was to be the republican
candidate for the presidency, or whether
resident Cleveland or anybody elss was
70 De the democratic candidate. The sena-
sHs should march straight up to their duty
Tl1 Tl1 correct the evil as they knew how.
1le senator's might talk about postpone
ueut OF the remedies, but the people could
~ auord to wait for speculative advan-
lses IN the political controversy of No-
'enoer next.
CAN'T AFFORD TO WAIT.
nature itself would not permit the people
- NJ %Nt while they were in death struggle
sl'1 poverty, br usht about either by
o[ [lIVy ny legislation OF congress or by neglect
TO- GSougress to legislate. 1t was a subject
- IIee consideration and on its coCsidera-
49,. 49, mere was going to be neither cloud nor
saIe. mU.ufe. Free debate was the duty Of every
t1''or' The senators had no right
d. sdrink from full discus
I'm In Of tine situation or
dr,nn Iree aud manly performance OF their
'y' 80 far as he was concerned, what
NJ euect it might have on any political
EEI''y' be intended to bring the subject for
'u ana to have it discussed and voted