Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-22
Senator Wolcott's Earnest Argument
Against the Resolution.
Mr.. TELLER WILL RESISFW EVERY WAY
The Resolution Finally Went OveI
Until Tomorrow.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE.
THE SENATE.

MI. Aueu NAau.) introduced 8 Dill IOr tne
coinage Of silver money, and 1t was at his
request. laid on the table for the present.
1t provides that the unit OF value shall be
the dollar OF az l-2 grains Of silver or rs s-l0
parts Of gold: and such dollars shall be
legal tender for all debts, public ana pri-
vate. Any owner of silver bullion may de-
posit IN any mint and have it coined into
standard silver dollars for his benefit, less
10 per cent seignorage. which Is to be coined
and covered into the treasury. 1t also re-
peals the Sherman act.
Mr.. Cockrell introduced q resolution call
ing on the Secretary of the Treasury for
information as to gold, silver and treasury
notes. After 1t was read the Vice Presi-
dent put the question on its adoption. As
there was no response on either side the
Vice President ruled humorously that the
vote being equally divided, the chair would
vote no. This first deciding vote of the pre-
siding ondcer caused general laughter.
The Cloture Resolution.
The cloture resolution offered yesterday
by Mr.. Platt Comm was laid before the
Senate.
Mr.. wolcott (Col) took the noor to speak
on 1t.
The debate on the pending bill. 30 long as
It proceeded decently, in order. and during
the usual hours OF the Senate, would oc-
cupy the time Of the Senate profitably, and
in accordance with its principles and ira
dittons. But any attempt to impose on the
body cruel or unusual hours. or extraordi-
nary methods. would be met with opposi-
ton unless cloture should prevent It, For
that reason he thought 1t due to the coun-
try to know that there was a method OF
stininE debate In the Senate, ana that there
was but one method. That method was by
the resolution offered yesterday by the Sen
ator from Connecticut, or some similar one.
such a resolution could be voted upon in
the Senate far earlier than the measure
which was now pending could be.
Vote Could Ne Had.
He could not speak for other Senators on
his side Of the repeal bill: but he knew that
some Of them felt as he did, and II the Sen.
ate desired a vote on the cloture resolution
1t could be had without much debate. For
his own part he would not interpose the
slightest objection to a full and free and
fair vote upon the question whether cloture
should be introduced. Some DISTINGUISHED
Senators had already put themselves on rec
ord In opposition to cloture; but then Che
said bitterly their former speeches may not
control their votes now. Former speeches
do not seem to control present Legislative
action. He repeated that II a vote on the
previous question or on cloture were de-
sired the Senate could have 1t in q very few
daye-ryery much earlier than on tha-2DpsAl
bin. There would be no ef1Ufelfafy meth.
cd used to prevent such a vote. He would
content himself with voting against 1t. II
Senators desired to change the rules and
practice of the Senate they would have no
serious difficulty In submitting II to a vote
and then the Senate might determine once
for all, as to whether there should be cloture
in the Senate or not. But II there was fall
ure to press such a question to a vote, or II
Senators in control Of the bill declined to
press the cloture resolution, then criticism
on the opponents Of the bill would have to
cease. Senators in the majority might, II
hav rod doho 70 hui p,,fn "a
not stife 1t SO long as Senators, acting In
the line Of what they conceived their duty
and in accordance with the rules saw At to
interpose such methods as they desire. II
cloture were applied to debate on the pend
ing question II would have to apply to
everything. II Senators desired cloture they
had only to unite and press It: and they
would find no factious opposition to a vote
But. In his opinion, cloture was not neces-
sary, for there had been no factious delay
on the pending measure.
Unusual Opposition.
But Senators would remember that un-
usual methods and unusual process invited
unusual opposition. Mr.. wolcott referred
to the fact that three seats in the Senate
were vacant nrom Montana, Washington
and Wyoming). and said that II three seats
were vacant from New England and a
tariff bill were before the Senate the bill
would not proceed until those seats were
filed. He had no doubt that II the SEN
ators who had been appointed from those
states had been democrats or had been op-
posed to silver their seats would not have
been denied them. He wanted to know
why the democratic Senators who professed
to favor silver coinage did not report q bill
which would make that principle para
mount. Why. he asked, did they leave a
great section Of the country in impoverish-
ment for q long period Of time until a sill
yer measure could become q law? II there
was haste to dispose Of the Sherman act II
would not take twcnty-four hours, should
the Senators on the other side carry out
the convictions which they said they cher
ished, and give the Senate q free coinage
measure. and then repeal the Sherman act
II they were friends Of silver why did they
desire to subject a free coinage measure to
the possibility Of a veto from the President
1t was idle to talk Of the action that was
to follow the repeal Of the Sherman act. 1t
was futile and foolish to talk about forcing
Great Britain into an International agree
ment II Mr.. Gladstone had been correctly
reported the sentiments which fell from his
lips In parliament were most brutal
Mr.. Teller followed Mr.. Wolcott and
closed his speech with the earnest declara-
ton that he would resist, by every method,
obstructive and otherwise. the adoption OF
q rule In the Senate which would limit or
restrict debate. The resolution then went
over till tomorrow. when Mr.. Turpie und J
is to speak upon It. The repeal bill was
taken up and Mr.. George MISSY continued
the speech against IT which he began on
Wednesday.
THE HOUSE.