Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-18


Mr.. Moagan, defantly, responsible for
every word say, either in this cham
her or outside. You understand that.
Perfectly" Mr.. Washburn re-
sponded.
Perfectly responsible" added Mr..
Morgan in emphasis Of his original
statement Mr.. Morgan then went on
with his argument In the course OF II
Mr.. Morgan alluded TO Senator Sher-
man as one of the leaders OF the coali-
ton, and Senators Lodge and Hill be
called "the juveniles Of Massachusetts,
and New York" He proceeded to
argue against the position taken by Mr..
Hill, which brought thatSenator to his
feet 70 state exactly what his position
was.
II claim first" said he, that it is
in the power Of the presiding officer
Gin the absence Of express rules to the
contrary to determine the presence OF
a quorum. My second proposition IS
that there is 10 rule OF the Senate
which expressly, or even implicitly for
bids that action"
Mr. Gray could not call to mind any
provocation for Mr.. MorEan's "heroics,"
nor could he see much Of argument in
support Of any of the important prosi-
tions pending. Vituperation was not
argument, and imputatiOns on the mo-
tiyes OF others did not carry conviction.
In the question Of cloture, Mr.. Nor
gan defed the Senators TO establish
such a rule. He would not be alarmed
into subordination 10 the scheme OF
any one by anything Of the kind, nor
would he surrender his constitutional
rights in response TO bowling, rampant
demands Of concession to the banks.
'Ii I must die here" said Mr.. Morgan
in closing, Il will die like an honor
able man az my post"
Dir. Gray took issue with Mr.. Hill.
That Senator was in error in saying
there was no rule that covered the case
expressly or implicitly. he read a por-
ton OF the rule to show that the pre-
siding officer could not act in accord
ance with Mr.. HIPS suggestion. He
had denounced the proposition before
on the force bill as a step toward abso-
lutism, and he denounced II now. lie
did not propose 10 blow hot and cold.
Mr.. Hill said be had not expected to
convince Senators who had no respect
FOR the Supreme Court and were not
willing 70 bow TO its decision.
Mr.. Hill then paid his respects to
Mr. Morgan. 1t was true, Mr.. Hill
said, that there were politicians III
New York. He supposed there were
no politicians in Alabama; they were
all statesmen from that coultry.
Laughter Mr.. Morgan had spoken
Of his lifelong devotion to the conStl-
tuition. 81 supposed" said Mr. Hill,
that for brief period my friend was
supporting another constitution, but
may be mistaken" Applause. As 10
Mr.. Morgan'S talk about dying at his
most. Mr.. Hill had heard like
statements by men who were going to
Idle 10 the last ditch" but said
Mr.. Hill, ''there are many OF them
left" Renewed applause aud laughter
Then Mr.. Hill referring to a remark OF
Mr.. Morgans' that the decision Of the
Supreme Court did not bind his con-
science Mr. Hill related an anecdote
Of a lawyer arguing a case before JUS
tice of the peace who read q chapter
from Blackstone, not for the purpose OF
showing that the justice was wrong, but
20 show what q fool Blackstone was"
Laughter. So he (Mr. Hill had
read the decision not TO show that Mr..
Morgan was wrong, for he was
always right, but for the purpose
OF showing what a fool the
Supreme Court had made Of Itself.
Referring to a remark Of Mr.. Morgan,
complimentary 10 Allen g. Thurman,
Mr.. Hin said be supposed Mr.. Morgan
IN making that tribute had In view all
the record made by Mr.. Thurman in the
Senate. He then read from the journal
OF the Senate. when on tho occasion or
Mr. Thurman being temporarily called
to the chair, and certain Senators re-
fused TO vote counted a quorum. The
galleries vigorously applauded the re-
cltal of this action on the part OF Mr..
Thurman, aud Mr.. Hill said; "There
Is the precedent which / ask this body
10 initiate. There Is one OF the distin-
guished men whom propose to follow
rather than the lead Of the distin-
guished Senator from Alabama"
Mr.. Sherman, (Rep., OhiO,) then ad-
dressed the Senate. He said the rules
OF the Senate were made TO eXpediate
the public business In an orderly man
ner. aud their object was TO enable the
Senate TO leglslate. While that was the
primary object Of ell rules, it was
equally important TO give the minority
full and free opportunity OF debate.
But when the rules were used by the
minority 10 ObStruct legislation, then
the rules should az once be altered.
Whenever a minority used means OF OBJ
Struction uuduly il created q reYolu-
tion. MI sherman said the obstructive
methods which has been pursued ia the
last two mouths had gone far beyond
ANYTHING be had ever witnessed In his
senatorial experience. 10 fact, obstruc-
tive measures had been resorted TO
which had never been invoked since
tho Senate was first organized.
IL was then q dignfed body Of twenty
six members, and il went to the extreme
vergoOf libersljty on debate. The prac-
tice of stopping a SenOtor in the midst
OF his speech TO suggest the absence OF
q quorum was an innovation, and was a
kind OF obstruction that had never been
resorted to. The refusal of Senators to
vote was violation OF the rules of good
order lie thought, therefore, probably
not az this session, that the time had
arrived when the Senate must adopt
rules 10 prevent obstruction 10 public
business. There was change 10
the Senate, not on the score
OF ability, but due to in
creased numbers. There was
no legislative body in the world that
had not somtapower to close debate.
The proper way to secure limit OF de-
bate To the Senate was At the next ses-
sion Of Congress, 10 have the Committee
on Rules strengthened in numbers and
have it examine all the various rules