New-York tribune., 1893-12-02
FOR CLOSURE IN THE SENATE
AN EFFORT TO PREVENT FILIBU STERiNu
LIKELY TO BE MADE.
AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES ENABLING Thb
MAJORITY TO LIMIT DhhN'H
POSED BY Mr.. HILL AND OTHER
srNAToRs-AN EXCITING
coxrrcT prORkDIE
Try TELEGRAPH TO TnE TRIBrSK.I


Washington Dec If certain Senators MAKE
,ooa ,bar nromscs there will be decided ana
earnest effort at the approaching regular sessio ~
amend the rules of the Senate so as III d i"e"
10 prevent resort to datory tactics anu u p'o''
for the closing of debate. The delay III l'e pc
sage of the Silver Repeal bill had thr ene." -"
cldental TO most co 1icts Of great leng'h IN ''e
s,ara,a nc orousing a number of Senators 10 lhe
tmnortance of change which would place III '"e
hands of the Senate the power TO close uep"'e " " "
definite time and to make the maJoIl'! ''V !N7
Of the proper limitation of debate upon any s"oJV'
Senator Blackburn, chairman OF the 'o"li''''
J;,,les became so impressed with the importance Vi
q ,oforr, Of This character that toward the close
or tho extra session he asked authority whlch was
granted for his committee 20 sit for me purpose u
considering the question. with the we" VI '"7
sesting n course of action TO the Senate lne 'o'"
Ynittec has held meetings during ihe No"ste'
sional recess but it is presumed that the SUBJECT
,,,iu be taken in hand at early date aiter 'he
meeting of Congress, as Mr.. Blackburn mas an
nouuced his intention of taking up the quesuoh aS
soon practicable
The committee will find abundant material to
work upon when it meets as there are before II 10
less than nine amendments looking to the accom-
plishnent of the end in view. OF these senator
Hill Is the author of four Senator Platt OF TWO anu
Senators VOORHEES, A9ar ana provde for
the closure of debate. ana the others Voh " IA ,
determination OF quorum; 61r,nn , the extra
ssaseio, Than onv other Senator. and he ard Mr..
for closure providing that majority OF senator's ,
can demand vote upon any Dl @ Wnch M MSs ,rr,n TSr
under debate in the Senate for tnlrly u%!S: ~
OF MIR Hills proposed amendments look 10 .nne
maintenance of quorum only oy t aullO iZtS bo @ w
presiding officer to count senators present Mno IL
fuse to resDond upon roll,cail TO deterinins We We
presence OF a quorum, and by authorizing ! Wy
counting of Senators paired ana presenl, % on go
for the purpose Of making quorum re alH ,T w b,,
to prevent recourse to another e'1oa % oueston Of
prohibiting Senators from raising lie q"es'oi,, 10,
''no quorum while another Senator IS Ipn Spe1frS nt
and also by providing that this quesuon Snaii ,bor mn
under any circumstances be raised oiteher '""ii
Mr. Manderson's amendment is simply an amend
nent TO Mr.. Hills proposed amendment c0hcei hiiS
pairs The amendments of Senators flatI uiiu
Jioar look to the closing Of debate eet in the
same direction. Mr.. Platt's amendment provides
that upon the written request OF maJ9Iy piI p %l
Vice President shall fix date for the close or gen
eral debate five days afterward ana Mr; sI sdra
tion for one day any Senator may demand that II
cease. and If ne is seconded by majority o .he L
vote be taken after each Senator shall nave nave, hau m
an opportunity 10 speak once, not TO exceed an
hour 1t is presumed that if any changes shouiu a.
be recommended by the Committee on Ruies they
would be on the lines indicated by these proposed
amendments, as they cover about all the sIounu.
With power to count quorum ana 10 prevent ra one
would be in position to control ine II
TO fix the day of voting upon any given measure.
there would probably be no more grouhd lor coih-
plant Of delay in that body aree that the COM
plant would be from the opposite dlrectlon ana
that the country would soon nave cause 70 10 aPpte ,
hend more serious consequences from nasty legis
)ation than II has from tardy action IL the
question of the change contemplated should be taken
The country NAV expect to of the most ami
mated debates ever witnessed in that body. III Is
Senate and is one which never fails to arouse the
strongest antagonsm