The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-10-24

BROOKLYN, n. Y, Oct 23-Democrats
in thousands gathered and circulated
around the big Academy Of Music this
evening. Nothing short OF hurricane
could have prevented Montague street
from being blocked. There was not
room within for quarter OF those who
came, and the other three-fourths stayed
outside and cheered or passed along to
wait for the next meeting. Senator
David Bennett Hill was the cause OF all
this.
1t was announced as a grand Demo-
cratic ratification meeting and the
promoters Of both the meeting and good
Democratic principles took occasion
once again to make public record OF just
now the party stands in reference to
some OF the important questions that
are new before the people.
A long series OF resolutions had been
printed and were distributed through
the building. These were endorsed by
some three hundred Democrats who
had been chosen vice presidents OF the
meeting and by half as many secre-
taries.
The resolutions contained pledge OF
support to Cleveland and the national
Democratic administration, demanded
the prompt and absolute repeal OF the
silver purchase clause OF the Sherman
act, paid tribute to the senior senator
from New York and endorsed the plat
form OF the Democratic state conven-
ten.
Gen. A. S. Barnes was chosen chair
man.
When Senator Hill came to the plat
form, the great crowd cheered again and
again, and half the audience rose to
their feet, waving flags and handker.
chiefs. ""What's the matter with Hill?"
came from every side, and thun-
derous response came back that shook
the foundations OF the walls, Hes all
right" The senator from New York
bore it all calmly, placidly and when it
was over he began his speech.
Senator Hill opened with short al
lusion to the opponents OF Democracy
and their principles saying it was the
same common enemy with whom his
party has been contending for so many
years
The senator spoke OF the work OF the
ways and means committee in tariff re-
visions and said the country was on the
eve Of the realization of Democratic
promises.
Senator Hill repeated his we'll known
views on the Federal election law, re-
ferred briefly to the finances OF the
national government and then passed
to a consideration OF the Sherman silver
law "another legacy left us by the Re-
publican party" On this subject he
said:
"The law was Illogical in its construc-
ton, vicious in its tendencies and in
furious in its operation. 1t was not a
safe or honest silver law, as it reduced
silver to the level OF q commodity. 1t
provided for the purchase and storage
of silver bullion, and was the very OPP
posite OF free bi-metalllc coinage.
"The President OF the United States,
Grover Cleveland, performed patriotic
act in promptly conveninC Congress and
recommending the repeal OF the Sher-
man law.
THAT which has since been done, or
omitted to be done, you are entirely
familiar with.
"In the desperate effort to prevent or
delay the passage OF this bill, the tree-
dom of debate has been abused. Physi-
cal endurance rather than intellectual
argument has been made the test OF
success. 1t has been shown that the
! existing senate rules which have come
down to US from our fathers are weak
and defective and insufficient II has
been proven that under them it is i'm
! possible for majority to pass q meas
ure to which a large minority strenu-
ously objects, and for that purpose is
willing to invoke the right OF unlimited
debate. For one, believe that it was
the duty OF the majority to no longer
submit to the dictatlon OF the minority,
and 1 undertook last week to provide
remedy.
"It it was true, as assertsd, that the
rules gave such privileges to the minor
ity as to enable them to prevent final
action on a bill las seemed to be the
case) then believe the rules should be
amended. Then, the minority claimed
the right OF unlimited debate upon the
very question OF the amendments OF the
rules. That right stoutly resisted,
and I. think made 1t plain to the coun-
try, II not to the senate itself, that the
power of the minority to change its
rules was a constitutional right.
"The heated discussions OF the last
week upon this vita! and important
point overahadowed every other ques-
ton. Undisturbed by the threats OF
the minority we proceeded to offer an
amendment to tho rules so as to author
ize the majority to compel q vote after
reasonable debate had been had, to-wit,
thirty days. The amendment is now
pending and may be brought forward at
any moment when forty-three senators
are willing to give it their support.
''No matter what may be the outcome
Of the present struggle, the necessity Of
a change in the senate rules has boon
abundantly demonstrated. promise
YOU that the effort for change will be
continued, irrespective Of the fate OF the
preseut bill. The country may need re-
lief in the future as well as now. Par
liamentarv obstruction - unreasonable
and protracted-should DO a thing OF
the past. The right of unlimited de.
bate is isinconsistent with the duty Of the
senate to legislate. The majority must
be permitted to regulate and control
its proceedings. or else legislation be-
come impossible. 1t is impossible to
predict at this hour what precise meas
ure may finally meet the approval ol
Congress and the President 1t is evi-
dent that the end Of the great contest is