Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-09-21
FIFTY THIRD CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. Sept. q. 1893
SENATE.

provide for bureau of loans, and asked
that il lie on the table for the present
1t is, with some notifications, the same
as he introduced in May 1892.
Mr.. Platt offered the resolution for 3
cloture of which he gave notice last
Tuesday. The rules of the Senate, Mr..
Platt said, ought to facilitate the trans.
action of business. That proposition
would not be denied. But the rules OF
the Senate, as they stood to-day, made
it almost or entirely impossible to
transact business. The Senate was fast
losing the respect of the people. 1t
was fast being considered body that
existed for the purpose of retarding
and obstructing legislation. 1t was
being compared in the minds
of the people to the English House of
Mords. And the reason fit was that.
under the rules, it was impossible or
nearly impossible, to obtain action
when there was any considerable oppo.
sition to measure. He knew that il
might be said that, in the present con.
dition of affairs in the Senate, the resolu.
ton could not be adopted. But he be.
lieved that it could be adopted just as
easily as the repeal bill could be passed
and just as quickly. He had not con-
suited with Senators on his side of the
chamber, to any great extent and yet
he thought he might safely say that
there was large majority on his side
of the chamber who would favor the
adoption of the resolution at this time.
fla vote on the repeal bill could be
reached, vote on the cloture would
be forced. If the consideration of the
rule was opposed and delayed faction
ally, that fact would demonstrate most
clearly that the opposition was OBJ.
structing and tilibustering against the
repeal bill. The country, he added
did not understand why the Senate did
not vote. He doubted whether any ex.
PLANTATION could make clear to them the
reason why the Senate did not vote.
He got letters every day from his con-
stituents (he member of the minor
ity) saying "Why do you lot do some.
thing to bring on vote on this bill >"
The trouble was that the Senate rulers
permitted Unlimited debate.
The discussion on Mr.. Platt's cloture
rule was closed by letting the matter
go over till tomorrow when Mr.. Teller
is to speak against it. Mr.. Platt was
complimented by Mr.. Voorhees, for his
clear and lucid statement of the situa
ton. Substitutes for the resolution
were suggeste by Mr.. Hoar and Mr..
Hill. A strong argument in favor Of
the cloture rule was made by Mr.. Lodge
although he recognized the fact that
the adoption Of the rule would be made
use of to pass measures which he con-
sidered worse than the Sherman act
that is, a new tariff bill and bill to
repeal the election laws.
Mr. Stewart declared his readiness to
present arguments and precedents
against what he called "a gag rule in
the Senate.
The repeal bill was then taken up
and Mr.. White, Of California, address
ed the Senate, claiming that there were
other causes for the financial panic be-
sides the Sherman act.
HOUSE.
There were many empty seats in the
House at noon to-day. Indeed there
were not more than one hundred men,
bers present when the Speakers gavel
called the House to order.
The journal having been read, Mr..
Reed suggested that the document was
not correct, although he thought the
journal clerk had shown good judg
ment in writing the journal as he had.
He had stated that the Speaker had
ruled out certain motions yesterday OH
the ground that they were dilatory mo-
tons. This was not the fact, though
it should have been; and he called the
attention of the Speaker to the matter
The Speaker replied that owing to
he fact that the committee on rules
lad been in session this morning, he
lad not had an opportunity to examine
he journal, but from listening to it,
he was of the impression that it was
not correct
After short passage between Mr..
Reed and the Speaker relative to the
ournal, the approval of the latter was
deferred, and Mr.. Catchings presented
he report of the rules committee pro-
1iding for taking up the elections law
'epeal bill on Sept. 26 and final vote
IN Oct. 10. Tae yeas and nays were
,alled on ordering the previous ques-
ion, and it was ordered.
There was then brief discussion as
o the propriety of the various decisions
made by the Speaker yesterday and
hen the House proceeded TO vote on