Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-10-24

existing Senate rules which have come
down TO rs from our fathers are weak
and defective and insufficient 10 has
been proven that under them 10 10 in-
possible for the majority 10 pass a
measure 10 which large minority siren
uously objects, and Tor that purpose
is willing TO invoke the right OF unllm.
tied debate. IL was openly avewed In
the Senate that nnder the existing
rules the repeal bill would never be per-
mitte1 10 come 10 a vote. That was the
clear, undisguised purpose Of the oppo-
sition. For one, believe that it was
the duty OF the majority 10 no longer
submit TO the dIctation Of the minority,
and undertook last week 10 provide =
remedy.
"If IL was true, as asserted, that the
rules gave such privileges 10 the minor
ity as 10 enable them TO prevent hnal
action on the bill, as seemed to be tho
case, then believe the rules should be
amended. Then, the minority claimed
the right OF unlimited debate upon the
very question OF the amendment OF the
rules. That right stoutly resisted.
and think l made IL plain TO the coun-
try, II not 20 the Senate itself, that tho
power OF the majority 10 change its
rules was a constitutional right, aud
that it could be successfully resisted or
prevented by unlimited debate.
"The heated discussions OF the last
week upon this vital and important
point oyershadowed every other Ques-
tion. Undisturbed by the threats OF
the minority We proceeded TO offer an
amendment 10 the rules so as 10 author
ize the majority TO compel vote after
reasonable debate had ben had, to-wlt:
thirty days. / believe In the perfect
constitutional right OF the majority 10
pass that amendment, and 10 prevent
unlimited debate upon its adoption.
The amendment IS now pending and
may be brought forward az any moment
when forty-three Senators are willing 20
give II their support.
"No matter what may be the outcome
OF the present struggle, the necessity OF
change In the Senate rules has been
abundantly demonstrated. i promise
you that the effort for 4 change will 10
continued, irrespective OF the fate Of
the present bill. The country may
need relief in the future as we'll as
now. Parliamentary obstructIon--un-e
reasonable and protrActed be =
thing OF the past. The right OF un-
limited debate Is incOnsisted with the
duty OF the Senate 20 legislate. The
majority must be permitted 10 regulate
and control its proceedings. or else leg
lslatlon become impossible, IL Is I'M
possible TO predict at'this hour what
precise measure may finally meet the
approval OF Congress and the President.
II Is evident that the end OF
the great contest Is very near.
II have expressed 10 you my
Individual preferences as TO the course
which / have advised aud which ! de-
sire 10 pursue 20 the end. II by reason
OF the difficulties TO which / have re-
ferred and which may prove insnr-
mouutable, there must be harmonizA-
tion Of views 70 accomplish any prac-
tical result II may bo- permlSSihl =
suggest the wisdom OF the'kdoptlou OF
that policy which teaches'ln essentials,
unity; in non-essentials, liberty, and Ia
all things charity"
The remainder Of Mr.. HIPS epeech
was taken up with discussion OF State
matters, and he closed with prodlc-
tion Of great Democratic victory next
month.