The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-25
sr1rrrr. ~rDsrsD1r. oer ~.


eonnurou1ise that can be enacted with any
prospect OF becoming law through the
presidents signature makes il practically
certain that the senate viii take counsel Of
patriotism and sound public policy and
permit a vote upon the repeal bill. The
sbless minds in both parties now agree
that to closure the senate must come.
This "a q non-partisan conclusion: - %
affirmed a. vigorously By Democratic Sena-
tors Hi, OF New York: Villas. Of wiscon-
sin; White. Of Louisiana; Mills, Of Texas.
and Palmer, Of Illinois. A. 1t Is BIZ John
sherman, Of 0Aio, and Lodge, Of Massa-
chasetss. These men ground their views
upon the proposition that the constitu-
tlonai right Of the majority must be rseog-
nized In the senate or the government will
fall.
Jadgo Cooley, of Michigan. one Of the
most eminent constitutional lawyers OF
the country, denies the existence of any
right or power under the government
which can prevent the senate majority
from expressing Its win. lie even holds
tha. should the majority make rule for
that body declaring that the minority
might By talk or otherwise designedly pre-
vent the majority from acting ''the rule
would become void because depriying the
senate Of its constitutional power" When
minority takes advantage of such rule
and boastingIy declares Its purpose to be
20 prevent the senate from exercising It's
constitutional power, this minority, says
Judge Cooley, 10 acting disorderly and
Il open to punishment in the same
way ~ the individual senator would
Judge Cooley holds that any existing rule
which limits. restricts or interferes with
the free, full and reasonable right Of the
senate 10 have an immediate change Of
rules whenever the minority may so de-
termine. violates constitutional right Of
the senate, and when this precise question
shall be properly presented il will be the
duty of the presiding officer to so decide.
subject always TO tiIs approval Of the SEN
ate itself.
Senator Ledge points out that without
closure there can never be any legislation
20 which thu minority objects. We quote:
ssThe present situation lie ridiculous.
The majority OF meu are elected TO come
here for certain purpose. They cannot
return 20 their constituents and say, We
did not do what you wished Us To do We
were IN majority. but the minority
Wouldn't let as do anything In such a
situation the minority eould return to the
country and say, oh We didn't have any
thing to do With any legislation: the ma
iority il responsible. The fact Is that in
such q situation nobody is responsible
All responsibility 10 lost. The republican
form OF government cannot be maintained
on any such basis"
Senator Hill of New York Is Democrat
sn intensely practical man. of great expe-
rience In legislative procedure and q prac-
tseed parlsamentarian. Hill contends tina.
the right of the senate TO amend its rules
is = constitutional right of which Ii has no
power TO deprive ITSELF The constitution
gives the senate the right TO make rules.
aud the right 10 make implies the power TO
change. That change can he accomplished
IN any proper manner 10 be determined by
the majority Of the senate" He says:
81 take the broad position that the right
90 change the rules of the senate is the
right Of the highest privilege, a constita-
tonaI right OF which the senate cannot be
deprived by debate, delay, sechuicali,ies
or The provisions OF existing rules.
This Is an absolutely sound position
and whenever the presiding officer of the
senate takes this view Of the case and has
The support Of forty-thrce senators she
rules can be changed aud the repeal bill
can 30 passed without another days de-
bate. Such = procedure would not he
revolutionary, bus strictly according
TO elementary parliamentary principles.
Senator Han holds with ex-Speaker Reed
that senator who Is present and refuses
TO vote can he counted rs present for the
purposes Of constituting a quorum. The
supreme court Of she United States has so
decided. and Judge Thurman once ruled
that the president of the senate had a
right 10 count quorum. and he counted
one himself IN the Forsy-sixth congress.
Senator Hnl also afirns that victory
for repeal Is assured the moment tina. the
presiding officer OF the senate interpre,,
the constitutional rules as the courts and
al eminent iarisis have interpreted shern,
and Is supported by forty.shree senators.
kx.Speaker Reed holds that tue vice prr,l.
dent can demand vote and force vote
If the vice president has majority be-
hind hisn he can do what be pieascs lie
Il chairman Of that body. lie is elected
20 manage the body. Ii doesn'. make anv
difference ABOUT hss not coming from ths
pody. lie is the man and the oaly man 20
compel vote, to bring about vote. and
10 do What Is EASY 10 he done AZ tais jung
tare.
The Democratic majority dare nos re-
fstse 60 follow this plain constitutional
read OF procedure marked cat hy Senator
It'll 10 force q vote upon the repeal hsll.
There have been eleven Republicans CO
operating wita twenty Democrats ana
three fopallsts TO prevent silver purchase
rspeal. There are tweasy-seven Repuhli.
cans wao have deelarei Cor repeai, aud OF
this Number there are swsasy-four to-day
In Washington City ready 20 vote tor this
measure Of Democratic administration.
Two Of the tAFSe Republicans absent are