The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-21

Yesterday Senator VOORHEES, introduced
. closure resolution on the lines previously
recommended by Senator HILL. If adopted.
It will supply a method of cutting Off de-.
bate and forcing q vote on any measure
that shall have had thirty days discussion
IN the Senate. The VOORHEES, closure reso-
luton went over until to-day.
AS everybody now understands. this and
similar propositions to establish machinery
for ending debate at a specified time. do
not affect the present situation in the SEN
nte. That is to say. if under existing rules
and practice minority can prevent or
postpone indefinitely vote on the silver re-
peal bill. 1t can likewise prevent OF post
pone indefinitely vote Oh the closure reso-
luton. Tho tactics Of talk and filibuster
would simply be diverted from tho original
measure to the new rule proposed to clear
tho way for the origina! measure: and sill
yer repeal would DO rs far off as ever.
In other words. II summary action on the
part OF the presiding officer. backed by
majority on the floor is needed to break the
present deadlock. it will be no less requisite
for the passage Of n rule OF the sort contem-
plated by Mr.. Voorhees, resolution. To
establish closure by formal rule. there Will
first In any event. have to be closure by the
Informal process advocated by Mr. HILL
and other Senators as constitutional, and
denounced by Senator HARRIS and other
Senators as arbitrary and revolutionary.
At some juncture. either in the legislative
history OF the silver purchase repeal bill, or
In the legislative history Of scheme OF
closure intended to make u road for that
BILL the knot will have to be severed by a
sword stroke.
1t will be observed that the proposition
TO establish in the Senate. rules which will
cut off debate. prevent flibustering. and
enable the majority to force vote, is
favored or opposed almost exclusively with
regard to the pending measure. the repeal
Of the silver purchase law.
And yet II the closure comes. 1t will come
to stay. Democrats may study with profit
Its possible bearings on other questions in
which they are interested. and concerning
which their party is committed.
Right on the heels Of the silver question,
Tor example, Is the question of the enact
ament OF tariff for revenue only, the sole
constitutional tariff. according to the De-
mocracy's solemn declaration. The party
In power Is pledged to enact such
. tariff. The Republican minority in the
Senate may be expected to exhaust every
expedient to prevent the overthrow OF pro-
lection and the enactment OF a tariff for
revenue only. Contemporaneou experience
ls showing that. under the present condl-
ton OF the Senate rules. the Republican mi
Inority in that body will be able to block
5tarin reform, and to preserve the present
unconstitutional tariff. no matter how
easily the Democratic measure Of reform
may pass the House OF Representatives
Or how eager the Democratic President
may be to sign bill redeeming the prom
ises made in his behalf at Chicago and
throughout the campaign.
When. therefore, we find Republicans In
the Senate protesting willingness to join
with the silver repeal Democrats in estab-
fishing a closure rule. thereby surrendering
the advantage they possess in the impend-
ing fight over the tariff. we are greatly i'm
pressed with their magnanimity. their pub
lie spirit. and the strength and sincerity OF
their devotion to the silver repeal cause.