The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-12-02
SENATE REFORMS.
One Of the First Attempted VIII
Be the Adoption of Some
Rule
BY Which It VIII Be Possible to
Secure d Vote on Any
Question.
Along With This Will Be Considered
Rule For Counting q
Quorum.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-If certain sen
ators make good their promises 'fere
will be decided and earnest effort at
the approaching regular session to
amend the rules of the senate so as to in
a measure prevent resort to dilatory Ia,
tics and to provide for a closing of de-
bate. The delay in the passage of the
silver repeal bin had the effect, Incl
dental to most conflicts of great length
in the senate, of arousing a number Of
senators to the importance of change
which will place in the hands of the
senate the power to bring any issue TO .
close at definite time, and to make the
majority the judge Of the proper limita-
tion of debate upon any subject. Sena-
tor Black burn, chairman of the commit
tee on rules, became so impressed with
the Importance OF reform of this
character that towards the close Of the
extra session he asked authority, which
was granted, for his committee to sit
for the purpose of considering the ques-
ton with the view of suggesting o
course of action to the senate.
Nine Amendments offered.
The committee has held no meetings
during the congressional interval, but it
is presumed that the subject will be
taken in hand at an early date after the
convening of congress, as MIR. Blackburn
has announced his intention to do 80 at
as early day as practicable. The COM
mittee will find abundant material to
work upon when it meets, as there are
before the committee no fewer than nine
amendments looking TO the accomplish
ment of the end i'm view. OF these Hill
is the author of four, Senator Platt of
two, and Senators Voorhees,, Hoar and
Mandefson one each. A majority OF the
resolutions provide for the closure OF
debate, and the others lciDk TO the deter.
mination of quorom. Senator Hills
attracted greater interest during the
special session than others, and he and
Mr.. Voorhees, united upon the form OF
an amendment for closure, providing
that majority of senators can demand
vote npon any bill which has been
under debate in the senate for 30 days,
The ON. rum Question.
Other of Mr.. Hills proposed amend
ments look to the maintenance of q
quorum, one by authorizing the presid
ing officer to count senators present who
refuse to respond upon roll call, to de
termine the presence of quorum, and
another by authorizing the counting q
senators paired and present ON vot'
for the purpose of making q quorum
also seeks TO prevent recourse to anothel
method of delay by prohibiting senator
from raising the question of lack of
quorum, while another senator is speak
ing, and also by providing that TIN
question Of the want of quorum shall
not under any circumstances be raises
oftener than once an hour.
Mr.. Manderson's 9 amendment is simpl,
an amendment to Mr.. Hills proposes
amendment concerning pairs. tn
amendments Of Senators Plat and Hoa
look to the closing of debate, but diffe
in time and method from Mr.. Hills sug
gestion in the same direction.
MIR. Platt's Amendment.
Mr.. Platt's amendment provides tina
upon the written request Of majorit
OF senator's. at any stage of debate upo
any bill, the vice president shall fix
date for close of debate five days after
wards, and Mr.. Hoar's that after bi
shall have been under consideration fc
one day, any senator may deman
the close and il he is seconde
by majority of the senat,
the debate is to discontinue forthwith
D and the vote be taken after each senate
shall have had an opportunity to spea
once, not to exceed an hour.
1t is presumed that if any chang,
should be recommended by the commi
tee on rules they would be on the lin,
indicated by these proposed amen'
ments, as they cover about all Il
ground.
NO TAX ON INCOMES.