The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-17

one years, who actual residents on
the list day of October. 1893. and have been
such residents for thirty days prior there
TO of that part OF Oklahoma Territory
t 10 epe Is Dy ss Rnown as the
Cherokee Outlet, shall be entitled TO vote
and hold office at the first municipal cleo
ion held in the said Cherokee Outlet for
he organization of city. village and town
governments.
Mr. Lodge spoke in advocacy of his pro-
posed amendment to the rules providing
that no Senator shall read n printed or
written speech and Senators present and
not voting shall be counted as present Tor
Lodge said it had been held by the United
States Supreme Court that a member 81
and, for the purpose OF making a quorum
could be counted.
"Oh, no. said Mr.. Gray. cit was merely
held that the House of Representatives had
the right to make its own rules"
A TRAvESTY ON EVERY RULE.
Mr.. Lodge said 1t had been held by the
State courts and by the English courts. as
far back as the time of Lord Beaconsfield,
that presence and silence In a corporate
board constituted acquiescence. The pres
ent condition of the Senate was an abso-
lutte travesty every rule Of parliament
tary procedure.
Mr.. Stewart thought the present debate
would go down in history as the most i'm
portank and instructive excluding, OF
course, the humble part he had taken In
iD that had ever been conducted in any
Mr.. Vest said his experience had taught
him to believe that written speech was
much more effective than an oral one. The
best speeches he had ever heard in the Sen
ate for effect upon the people of the coun-
try had been written speeches, and this, he
could say without prejudice, as 1T wassnot
his custom 10 deliver written speecneS IN
the Senate In regard to a cloture rule,
Mr.. Vest said that if the action of mi
noTlty IN resisting the votes OF the ma
fX hoH No al of in mo
history the defeat of the force bill would
consecrate IL, TO large extent, with the
American people. II the Senate had been
as false to all the precedents of American
history and TO the liberty-loving instincts
of the American people as was another
country would have been IN different con-
dition to-day-the States with their au-
s9eo Sen down. arg y fPera author
ity, while the minions of partisan power
would have looted and reveled in the de-
st thank heaven" said Mr. Vest, with
much feeling, that there was one time in
our history when a minority, under the
rules OF the Senate were able to defeat
that Infamous legislation and / am glad
that the junior Senator from Massachusetts,
can hear now in this tribunal the de-
liberate judgment of one Senator that that
single incident furnished a whole acre of
argument for the resistance of a minority,
so far the rules of the legislative body
will permit, TO grossly outrageous legisla-
ton which involves the autonomy of the
States and the liberties of the entire peo-
pie. Mr. President, whatever the Senate
may do, this is not the time to consider it.
honestly believe that we can never arrive
at solution of the question that is har-
assing us and the country until all par
ties are satisfied. as am satisfied, that I'M
conditional repeal cannot be had in the
Senate"
"Will you please explain to u.s." asked
Mr.. Hill, what you mean by your con-
ddence In the fact that the unconditional
repeal bill cannot pass the Senate? Why,
II a majority Is in favor of ii, can 1t not
be passed?'
eff the Senator from New York" replied
Mr.. Vest, having read the rules and hay-
ING witnessed our proceedings under these
rules for two months, cannot answer that
satisfactorily TO himself il would be ar
rogant vanity for to attempt it,
Qaughter.) There is no intelligent man i'm
TINS Union who does not know that the
Il think that is the only answer the Sem
ator can make" said Mr.: Hill.
are confronted with a condition and not a
theory"
Mr.. Hill-If the rules of the Senate abso-
iuteiy prevent the passage Of a bill which
majority desire to pass then if strikes
me that the best thing for the Senate to
90 Is 10 endeavor TO amend the, rules so
that majority can pass bill that they
Mr.. vest-Yes, Mr. President. heard
mat when we were discussing the force
bill, in varied intonation and with much
rhetorical utterance, but the rules were
not changed.
ileve that If a majority of the Senate had
peen III faYor of what he chooses to call
o,e I9ISe Dill the rules would have been
aihehueo and the bill would have passed?
A GEAR" REED NEEDED.
Mr.. Vest-Why, no. AS the rules exist
until you get in the chair an occupant who
VIII strike down the rule permitting one
hltn OF the Senators present to demand the
yeas and nays, and who will put a question
ana carry 1t without regard to the votes of
senators, you cannot effect, against the Oh,
position of one-ffth of the Senators present
any legislation which is so odious as to re-
quire and demand their action If any ora
CiS can De FOUND who will solve the diff
Guilty and tell us how we can pass the pend
Ing measure, or any other, with the opDo-
come to the conclusion that ompiscencs sf ba !
Unmarried Itself to an individual and given
MN solution which has not yet been
Mr. Aldich-The party of the Senator
from Missouri is charged with the RESPONSE
in eye gI not only In this body but
one-n1th or the Senate can prevent anv ac-
Gon now upon any subject, how does that
the Senator from New York. (Afr. Him ~
repeal the election laws? How does the Sen
peeesp for mat ta5 ms party Will carry out its
laid down by him is to prevail and Is the
sorrect doctrine @l1 for the government of the
upon this side be justified in preventing
what we believe to be ruinous legislation?
MI. Nest-A second Daniel come to
judgment (Laughter.) I have not said IN
is the correct doctrine. 1 have simply
called attention TO the fact. which everyone
knows TO exist, that certain status is
upon US. If 1t is not so, / will be Obliged
TO the Senator from Rhode Island If he Will
tell me what ne would do.
Mr. Aldrfch-If had my way the Senate
would change its rules
Mr.. Nest-But you have not got your w. "
QtuShter.) II the Senator had his wav no
would have passed the force bill but. thank
God, he did not have it.
Mr. Aldrfch said the reason he did not
have his way was because a majority Of
the Senate voted the other way. If a ma
Jor1ty OF the Senate had been in favor OF
have been changed and the force bill would
have passed.
1t would not have passed" said Mr.
vest. and every intelligent Senator here
undertake TO say, will grant Ii to himself
IL not publicly" Mr.. Vest said when the
election repeal bill and the tariff bills were
reached the Democrats would attempt TO
solve the questions, and the responsibility
or defeating the will of the majority would
rest where il belonged.
Mr.. Hill said he repudated the doctrine
that one-hfth of the Senate could absolute
ly prevent legislation. The power to make
rules implied the power TO change Them
and the Senate could not by the adoption
OF any set of rules, absolutely prevent IT.
self-from legislating. 1t could not tie itself
up so that by reason of it's rules il was i'm
possible for the majority to legislate and
the minority could dictate legislation
Mr. Vest inquired whether the Senator
from New York meant TO say the majority