The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-26

The change Of froEt on the part Of the
Democratic opposition to the repeal bill,
which makes its passage reasonably GER
in the senate had become so intolerabls
that the Democratic party was in immi-
nent danger of becoming fatally discred-
tied before the people. The beginning Of
the end showed itself after the remarkable
debate Of the 18th. when Senator John
Sherman, in q memorable speech. ex-
pressed his contempt without reserve for
the Democratic majority in the senate.
Senator Sherman urged such a change of
rules rs would change the situation. and
he was most ably supported by Senator
David B. Hill. of New York. who laid
down this absolutely sound proposition:
"The right 10 change the rules of the
senate Is right OF the highest privilege,
constitutional right of which the senate
cannot be deprived by debate. delay, tech
nicalities, or The prorision Of existiag rales.
Senator Hills position is entirely sus-
tanned by the decision of Speaker Blaine
In the Forty-third congress, decision
which had been carefully considered and
written out in advance, in which Mr..
Blaine said that pending proposition TO
change the rules. dilatory motions could
not be entertained; that the right of each
house to determine its rules was an or
ganic right expressly given by the consti-
tuition. and that the house was incapable
of depriving itself Of its inherent constitu-
tional power to determine its rules. Mr..
Blaine anticipated all the participants in
this great debate in taking this impreg-
nable position. Senator Frye, who cited
this decision OF Mr.. Blaine. said there was
not o shadow OF doubt that 1t was the duty
Of the senate at any time to make rule
for any case then pending before it; and
that II would become the duty Of the pre-
siding officer. under his oath, TO refuse to
entertain any dilatory motion. and to put
peremptory stop 10 diiatory motions, and
thus preserve to the body the right which
the constitution gave II. II the majority,
Mr.. Frye declared. had adopted proceed
ing Of that kind month ago there would
have been q vote on the hill before this
time.
The scathing speech of John Sherman
and the equally vigorous and aggress-
I've speech of Senator Hill brought
the Democrats TO their senses. They
saw the honest supporters OF repeal
were ready to force matters to n de-
cision. The next day began desperate ef-
forts to secure a compromise. but the DEM
ocratic opposition to repeal soon found out
that neither the Republicans nor the
honest Democratic friends of repeal would
accept any compromise. and they found
out further that Presiden. Cleveland would
accept no compromise. The Democrats
who favored repeal and the Republicans
had become so exasperated that they were
ready TO insist on vote. II Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson had any personal delieacy
about taking the responsibility repeal
Democrat would have been called TO the
chair. There was blood in the eyes, of the
honest repcalers, forbearance and senatorial
courtesy had ceased TO be avirtue, and the
Democratic opposition had 10 choose
whether they would permit vote TO be
taken on q Democratic measure, or
whether they would force the Democratic
rereaiers TO succeed by the help of the
Republicans
The Democratic opposition to the bill
could not afford to adjourn; they could
not afford 10 let their president fail TO
carry his measure in senate which his
party controls absolutely against both Re.
publicans and PopnIists combined. There
Is no doubt that q majority of the Demo-
cratic party in the senate never meant 10
have the silver purchase act repealed; they
expected 10 enact a eompromlse that would
make repeal vslueless. This was the in
tsntion OF German aud the hope Of Voor-
hees, bat the stress Of indignant public
opinion ~ the ridiculous spectacle nre-
scented by the paralysis of the senate as a
governing body has been too powerful for
these tFieksters snd they have been
''busted at the bridge" by the silly sheep
Of their own flock.
The Democrats party has the White
House: 4 has the house by seventy f We
majority and the senate By eve majority
over the Populis,s and Republicans com.
bined; il has besides twenty-four Rspablg-
can votes behind il in the senate. and
under these circumstances, IL the Demo
cratic party did not repeal the sherman
bill. il wouid he because the Democratic
party did not wAns 20 repeal II, and the
Teop,e would hold the Democratic party
solely responsible for the consequence. Of
the failure 20 pass il or for the oonse-
qUsnoes Of any compromise substituted for
=. or ios the consequences Of adjournment
without action.
paipaAle breach between the president
snd his party woald follow the enactment
q compromise and It's veto by the presi-
deaf Viewed on al SIDES il was perfectly
plan thai The only safety Tor the Demo
cratic party VAS 10 support Senator Hin
and allow shs bal 10 come 10 = vose. In
a1ehoed by these considerations the
democratic opposition 10 repeal aban.
dened TIRE flgihustsring silver senator's. aud
'as result wsll be the passage OF the yoor-
lees biz shis week.