New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-20
ANOTHER SHOW OF FIGHT.
MIR. VOORHEES BELLlGERENT
HE ANNOUNCES HIS INTENTION TO FORCE
LONG SESSIONS IN THE SENATE.
FIRST. HOWEVER, HE GIVES THE ANTI-EEPEAh
MEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET An END OF
DEBATE-THEY PROMPTLY REJECT HIS
PROFFERS-THE ADMINISTRATORS
LEADER TALKS FOR THE

PROFFERS-THE ADMINISTRATION
LEADER TALKS FOR THE
-. PUBLIC BENEFIT.
(pY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUsE.J
Washington, Sept l9-The Senate reassembled
this morning, after its holiday of Monday, in any,
thing but that restful and somnolent mood which
a two days respite from the grind Of repeal ana
anti-repeaI Oratory might have been SUPPOSED
TO occasion. From the very beginning OF the ses-
sion il was evident that the irresponsible, happy-
co-luclxy temper in which the debate on the Voor-
hees bill had been allowed to drag along ior SIX
full weeks was not to continue much longer, the
nominal leader of the repeal forces having az last
been proddcd by the Administration and
the metropolitan press to the poins
of making at Last a show of fight against The
tlatory tactics of the opposition. Mr. 'oorheeS
had pursued a Eerveless and temporizIng policy
- long that little faith was left IN his purpose
Of closing with the anti-repeal forces IN actuai
parliamentary warfare 1t was rather sirpri'-
ing display of belliserency on his part therefore,
whcn after another futile effort tins mornihS 10
secure an agreement for Totc on the kepea'
bill. he annourccd-alihOugh with some rcsr'a-
tons AID qulliiCftOns-his intention 10 iofce ."e
Senate to begin tomorrow the longer sessions
weeks ago.
Mr.. Voorhees, was, indeed delightfully."- IN
definite about the added time each day the
Senate would he compelled to sit, and he did not
commit himself at all clearly 10 the policy oi
continuous session either now or at some Iatr
date Having at the very opening of his tax
gone to great pains TO repudi1te absolutely AL
PROPOSITIONS for CLOSURE the only sure means NY
which vote on the Repeal bill can be obtained-
the Administration leader had, of course, no
other path open TO him but TO throw hlneii
on tine mercy Of his opponents, with the ie,pio
threat, in case mercy was withheld, OF competing
them 70 sleep. sooner on later, for hiSht OF
two in their committee rooms at the Capitol
or on the lounges of the Senate lobby
WHERE THE PROD Is.
What influence is pushing the chairman OF
tho Finance Committee TO apply the first OK
his coercivc measures tomorrow is not known,
although the criticisms Of the New-iork bankers
and newspapers TO which he replied 30 impatientIy
this morning. may have something to do wita
rrecpitating the programme OF "cNhaustns de-
bate"
This programme was not generally expected To
he put in force before the end Of the week, ann.
much to their surprise, "A number OF Democratic
Administration Senators, who. with the Woo
President were to I've the guests OF Srhd'or
Gibson on trip to EastQn, on the Eastern Shore
Of Maryland were obliged OIL short notice tiis
morning to abandon this promising and agreeable
outing. Mr. voorhees, has been so disappointinsy
indecisivc in his leadership, however, that it Is
not entirely certain that his courage may not
ooze out again tomorrow and CO
ercve measures he POSTPONED once more
until another parliamentary crisis gathers As
number of Senators who gave notice OF speeches
more than a week ten days ago have not yet
had an opportunity to speak, MIR. VOORHEES, Will
he put tomorrow, if he persists in his cxhaiist-
ing process in the disagreeable attitude OK
discriminating AGAINST these Senators, who arc
AS much entitled to an exercise of ordinary Scna-
torial courtesy on his part as any OF the speak
ers who have already occupied the time Oh the
Senate For Mr.. Voorhees, to force Demo-
cratic colleague like Mr.. George, who expects
to speak for at least ten or twelve hours,
TO oeJlv.r ms remarks at a single stretch instead
of breaking them into sections Of three or Tour
hours a day, would involve fragrant breach OK
Senatorial courtesy, which would properly be re-
sented as an invidous discrimination by this
Mississippi Senator and his friends; and an at
tempt, after so free an indulgence Of DEBATE at
their own convenience TO other Senator'S to abrldge
the personal comfort of the orators who are
vet to come would logically free them from all
obligations to yield to the unwrittcn law OF
Senatorial courtesy now invoked by Mr. "oorhees
to secure vote on repeal
IN HOPELESS POSITION.
The Administration leader is, in fact, III the
hopeless position of imploring his opponents to re-
spect the traditions of the Senate and allow %
vote, while he refuses himself to respect the same
traditions which give to every Senator the right
nd hnxxr la balk
speak and when he shall discussion. The
only logical and sensible method Of stopping de-
bate-the closure rule-having been discarded at
the outset by Mr. Voorhees, and the Administra-
ton Democrats they are now left In the belpitSyy
state of depending for vote on test OF physIcal
endurance in which they are handicapped Dy z
hundred unfavOrable conditions. or on an appear
TO the charity and courtesy OF their oppohen,ot
against whom they are preparing TO eNeeJie oiey '
forcing them TO talk themselves into state OK
bronchial paralysis. A.,
Senate who sees in a test OF physicai enuuranc"
q very puerile method of legislation, wholly un-
worthy of serious and dignhed body IKE .ne
Senate; and if he can help II, the senate wlii nov
be forced to descend 10 making laws Dy tine SLOW
process of pumping the breath out OF tne lungs
Of those who oppose action. In spite OF MI .oor-
heess Discrimination to try closure, Mr. Ila,e TO-
day offered an amendment to tho Senate rules
which without infringement OF any Just liberty
of debate might well be Incorporated into the code
OF the Senate. IL provides tnat on written fe-
quest from a majority of the Senate the pre-
siding officer of that body may hx limit up TO
five days on general debate, vote TO follow two
days later after discussion under the fve-minute
rule This sensible proposition would put an end E
70 the burlesques Of debate which often disgrace
the "delherative branch Of Congress. There is
no hope however OF its adoption AZ this session. Or
as long as the present Democratic dscendency in
the chamber continues
Mr. Mills made the chief speech OF to-day's sos-
sion. after Mr. voorhees, had skrmished awhile
with the anti-rcpeal leaders and had received his
nsual rebuff. The Texas senator is "a convert"
who believes in conversion for nc speech could
have been more radical than his TO-DAY In sup
port Of gold monometallisfn. Mr.. Daniel. OF Eir-
MIR Mills's detection from the Cause of silver began
t,,a dov he WAS defeated hy Mr. Crisp I'm this