Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-22
,MYANEA" Of asfeatinsi bills VA an

,l,MrANEA"o OF defeatins bills swss an.
known, or at least was not practiced.
Therefore cloturo was unnecessary, and
would he unnecessary now IL ii werc not
| Tor the modern spirit OF legislative otstruc-
ton which always seeks to make the mi
hority stronger than the majority.
The Shoe ON the Other Foot.
Three years ago the Republicans Of the
senate. then in majority, were greatly
tempted 10 attempt adoption Of . cloture
rule for the purpose Of passing the famous
force bill. 1t was believed then, aud 80
published in the newspapers, that the Re
publicans were compelled to give up their
idea ON account of the determined opposi
tion Of the minority. The truth is, how
ever, that there never was majority In tho
senate in favor Of cloture. All the Demo
Gratis were against 1t and quite number
Of Republicans. In his speech concerning
the late Senator Stanford during the eulo-
sies to his memory the other day, Senator
Vest told story which explained why SEN
ator Stanford had opposed not only cloture,
but the force bill itself. This was some
what remarkable occasion on which to bring
forward an incident Of that character, but
Senator Vest did it with his usual grace
and without any violations Of the proprie-
ties.
A Hit Of Inside History.
A bit of inside history Of that exciting
period is pertinent just now while there Is
talk of a renewed attempt to pass cloture
For long time the Democrats who were
fighting the force bill and cloture were not
quite sure of the power Of their opponents.
They were very much afraid that II test
vote were reached the Republicans would
he able to muster u majority in favor Of the
new rule. The means adopted by
the Democratic leaders for defeat Of this
effort were somewhat sensational. 1t WAS
that u number Of Democratic |
senator's noted for their personal courage
and physical prowess were to meet the |
force bill with force, and by actual violence, |
If necessary, suppress the reading clerk. |
The plan WAS that when the presiding |
officer Of the senate put the motion for /
adoption of cloture great hubbub was to |
BE- raised on the Democratic side Senator |
alter senator was to demand recognition by i
he chair, and il the presiding officer re-
used to recognize them and ordered the /
'eading clerk to call the roll Of the senate /
or vote upon the motion, then the phys
cal force committee were to rush down to |
he front Of the chamber where the reading
;lerk had his desk and order him not to call
he names. II the reading clerk persisted
II Obeying the orders Of the vice president,
" 1t would be his duty to do, then the
,hysical force committee were to seize him
md carry him out Of the chamber.
Disgrace Happily Avcrted.
There is no doubt that IL the Republicans
lad attempted to proceed In this way such
result would have followed. The senate
Il the United States. which claims to be
he most digniiied legislative body in the
world, would have been disgraced. Had
he Democratic physical force committee
made such II demonstration, as they had
damned, doubtless Republican senators rs
veil as the officers Of the senate would have
ushed to the defense Of the clerk, In the |
assion and excitement Of the moment
lows would have been struck, and n scene
{ violence and disorder unparalleled In the
american congress would have ensued.
Happily this disgrace was avertcd, cloture
1as not adopted, and the force bill never
anne to u vote.
Now the Democrats are in control Of the
enate, and n proposition to adopt cloture
Iould come from them with u very Door
race in view Of their determined and VIC |
mt resistance to the same procedure three
bars ago. They could not now favor clio. |
ire without qualification. They have
al no intention of proceeding to this ex-
pme, and the probabilities are that for
iany years to come the ancient senatorial
addition of the right Of discussion will
and unbroken.
/ Speech of u Presidential AspIrsnt.
Senator Allison Of Iowa made one Of the ;
table speeches of the repeal bill debate.
T. Allison, it is well known here, is a
indicate for the presidential nomination
the Republican party in 1896 Many OF
} friends believe he stands n very good
ance to win the prize, though the most ,
neral opinion in Washington Is that =,
rernor Mckinley will be the next leader
-the Republican hosts. Senator Allison
) had long and distinguished career in
agrees, but it has always been said Of =
D. that he WAS afraid to make his real
|timent known on any great public .
estion, and that 1t was characteristic Of
b either TO I've on both sides Of question
the same time or else to be ON neither
b his speeches he has always displayed
bat familiarity with the art OF using
fds to conceal opinions. But In this b
ech on the silver question Mr.. Allison 4
J no doubt in his listeners minds as to .
ere he stood He announced himself for
zeal of the Sherman law, and In view Of .
,. fact that he had been one Of the repre- !,
fatiyes Of this government al the inter b
tional silver con NreDce great weight was q
hched to his declaration that the hope Of |;
>yer lay In an International agreement for ,
SenlarRed use, and that the only way to
Yiire this international agreement was for
- government 10 stand out from under
yer, and thus serve notice TO the world 1
Ut If the white metal were to maintain its h
'per place, not one nation alone, but all f.
\ principal nations, must encourage il h
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