New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-09-03
SENATORS TAKE NO OUTING,
THEY MIGHT AS WE'LL, HOWEVER. SO FAR
AS RESULTS GO.
FOR THE SAKE OF FORM. THEY GO THROUGH
THE MOTIONS OF ATTENDING TO PUBLIC
BUSINESS, BUT LITTLE CONES OF IT. :
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

| TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBrNE.J
| Washington, Sept 2.-The Senate sat for an hous
or two to-day, simply to save itself from tine I'M
putation Of neglecting tie urgent public business
now before it for the sake of a Saturday outing
The usual two days recess might as well nave
been taken, however for the Silver Purchase he
peal bill was not considered at all, ana after
killing little time with routine matters, the
"delberative branch adjourned shortly before
3 o'clock. Mr. VOORHEES,, on being prodded by
Mr. Hale, announced that on Monday next he
would try to haW work begin in earnest on the
repeal bill, and that, means OF Fastening
action he would ask the Senate TO vote then on
motion to assemble daily at IL a. m. instead OF
noon Why vote was not insisted on to-day
was not explained, though Mr.. voorhees, was
probably satisfied that roll-call would show
the absence Of a quorum.
The chairman of the Finance Committee also
made his usual daily profession Of absorbing eager
ness for a speedy vote, and, with an Impressive
show OF impatience, declared that he had an old
fashioned idea of the will of the majority being car
ried out" Though Mr.. voorhees, described this
idea as old-fashoned" he forgot to add that.
with himself and his fellow converts to repeal, IL
is one of extremely recent currency Only two
years ago both he and Mr.. GofInan were insisting
that the right of the majority to have a vote on
the Federal Elections bill was subject to indefinite
postponement at the pleasure Of the minority.
When they carried their point in 1891 they did
not foresee of course, that the precedent then
created was TO return to plague them when they
should themselves assume leadership in 1898, and
attempt to force measure of their own to a vote
against the opposition of a minority. 1t is to he
feared, indeed, that both Mr. Voorhees, and Mr..
in their effort to secure repeal by the wholly in
defensible and fatal example of parliamentary
obstruction which they and their followers set in
the memorable ilibustering fight against the
Lodge bill. They cannot advocate closure
without the most direct reputation of their ac-
tions and professions of two years ago, nor can
they, in the face of determined minority, reach
a vote either on closure rule on the repeal
bill itself, except by methods which they have
denounced wholly irregular and revolutionary.
Mr. Vo0rheess motion 10 begin the sessions OF
L o'clock will probably have little or no appre-
ciable effect in expediting business. Nothing can
be done in the hour before noon, II any SILVER sen
ator cares to raise the point 9i no IloI"n, ,p ts
there have been few / O'Clock nse,mss . Vi h.n sa'
Senate in recent years Ut when quorum nos uec'
actually present Allnight sessions, II attemptSI,
likely to prove equally irutiess ims uuge
of sustaining continuous session. ieiis =. ~,
IN the majority which must keep quorum AT htnt
at ali times. while the minority can disp,rse, eav-
inc but two or three Individuals on guard to carry
on the merchandising or other diatory proceed
ngs With but forty.eight OF fifty senators to
depend upon to carry through continuous night
sessions il is safe TO say that they are practically
bevord successful accomplishment.
it is clear therefore that the length Of the light
over repeal in the Senate VIII depend almost en-
trev on the determination OF the antl.repeai men.
!, ,hey are satisfied to undertake halfhearted
tsst Welding after making definite record in the
way Of protest and attempted amendment, q nnal
80 On tbe voorhees, bill Mas he had within the neat
,Hroe or four weeks. II, on the other hand, they
are resolved 10 use all the means Of opposition put
IN their hands bv the senate rules there Is little
hone of any legislation except compromise legisla-
tion for several months To come.