Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-09-23

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 2-tSpeciAl In 4
very evident that the senate will not have
anything TO do with cloture. a least in this
eongresx The suggestion has often been
made that cloture might BE- adopted - an
expsdient for passing the repeal bill, but
there il NO sisn Of it, being resossed to.
Cloture, the reader will remember, u Q
rule to cut Oh debate and flx an hour fog
voting upon given measure In the houss
Of representatives they have . way Of &C.
complaining this through report from the
committee ON rules, and inAsmuch ~ the
speaker always controls the ,ommittee on
rules, it lies with the speaker to say when
a measure has been sufficiently discussed
and when II Is time to take votA
In the senate, however. no such rule has
ever obtained There are no means OF stop
ping discussion. and that Is why the Sher-
maa law repeal bill has consumed 70 much
time at the northern end Of the capitol
This right to discuss and debate IS long
as any ono wishes to take the floor for that
purpose is one Of the very oldest senatorial
traditions. 1t dates back TO the foundation
VI the government, and 1t 10 said by those
who are familiar with the history Of the
senate that IL has never been broken. In
the olden days the practice was to come TO
u vote after q reasonable discussion had
been had. Then the art Of filibustering for
the purpose Of defeating bills was un-
known, or at least was not practiced.
Therefore cloturc was unnecessary, and
would be unnecessary now II it were not
for the modern spirit Of Legislative ohstruc-
s.l.
nority stronger than the majority.
The Shoe ON tho Other Foot.
Three years ago the Republicans Of the
senate. then in majority. were greatly
tempted To attempt adoption Of cloture
rule for the purpose Of passing the famous
force bill. 1t WAS believed then, and 10
published in the newspapers, that the Re
publicans were compelled to give up their
idea on account OF the determined opposi.
tion Of the minority. The truth Is, how
ever. that there never was majority in the
senate in favor of cloturc. All the Demo
Gratis were against it aud quite a number
of Republicans. In his speech concerning
the late Senator Stanford during the eul0-
gies to his memory tho other day. Senator
Vest told story which explained why Sen
ator Stanford had opposed not only clotnre,
but the force bill itself. This was u some
what remarkable occasion on which to bring
forward an incident Of that character, but
Senator Vest did it with his usual grace
and without any violations Of the proprie-
ties.
A hit of Inside History.
A bit of inside history Of that exciting
period Is pertinent just now while there Is
talk Of u renewed attempt to pass cloture.
For long time the Democrats who were
lighting the force bill and cloture were not
quite sure Of the power of their opponents.
They were very much afraid that II u test
vote were reached the Republicans would
bc able to muster u majority in favor Of the
proposed new rule. The means adopted by
the Democratic leaders for defeat Of this
effort were somewhat sensational. 1t was
arranged that a number Of Democratic
senators noted for their personal courage
and physical prowess were to meet the
force bill with force, and by actual violence,
if necessary, suppress the reading clerk.
The plan was that when the presiding
officer Of the senate put the motion for
adoption of cloture a great hubbub was to
be raised on the Democratic side. Senator
after senator was to demand recognition by
fused to recognize them and ordered the
reading clerk to call the roll Of the senate
for vote upon the motion. then the phys
ical force committee were to rush down to
the front of the chamber where the reading
clerk had his desk and order him not to call
the names. II the reading clerk persisted
in obcying the orders OF the vice president,
rs it would be his duty to do. then the
f. .tsS 1,t
and carry him out Of the chamber.
Disgrace Happily Avcrtcd.
There is no doubt that II the Republicans
had attempted to proceed In this way such
u result would have followed. The senate
Of the United States. which claims TO be
the most digniiied Legislative body in the
world. would have been disgraced. Had
the Democratic physical force committee
made such demonstration, AS they had
planned, doubtless Republican senators as
well as the officers of the senate would have
rushed To the defense OF the clerk. In the
passion and excitement of the moment
blows would have been struck, and scene
of violence and disorder unparalleled in the
American congress would have ensued.
Happily this disgrace was averted, cloture
was not adopted, and the force bill never
came to a vote
Now the Democrats are in control OF the
senate, and "A proposition to adopt clotnre
would come from them with very poor
grace in view Of their determined and vio-
cnt resistance to the same procedure three
..ars ago They could not now favor clo-
lure without qualification. They have
aad no intention of proceeding to this ex-
IRENE, and the probabilities are that for
many years to come the ancient senatorial
tradition of the right OF discussion will
stand uubroken.
Speccl, of Presidential Aspirant.
Senator Allison Of Iowa made one Of the
notable speeches Of the repeal bill debate.
Mr.. Allison, it is well known here. il n
candidate for the presidential nomination
Of the Republican party in 1895. Many Of
his friends believe he stands a very good
chance to win the prize, though the most
general opinion in Washington Is that
Governor Mckinley will be the next leader
of the Republican hosts. Senator Allison
has had "a long and distinguished career in
congress, but it has always been said Of
him that he was afraid to make his real
sentiment known on any great public
question, and that it was characteristic Of
him either to I've On both sides Of u question
y: the same time or else to be on neither
side.
In his speeches he has always displayed
great familiarity with the art Of using
words to conceal opinions. But In this
speech on the silver question Mr.. Allison
left no doubt in his listeners minds as to
where he stood. He announced himself for
repeal Of the Sherman law, and In view OF
Che fact that he had been one Of the repre-
sant.tives pf this government nj the inter-