St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-26
The Mississippi Congressman
Has a Scheme to Keep
Congress at Work.
How Dilatory Motions May Be
Effectually Crushed by
the Majority.
The Sentiment Of the South
With Regard to the Sher-
man Act.
P. H. Kelly at the Capital
The Disabilities Of Van
Leuven.

WASHINGTON, June 25.-Gen. Cabch-
ings, of Mississippi, who was member
of the last house committee Oh rules, in
speaking of the legislation which will
occupy the attention of congress at the
special session this autumn. said "The
repeal of the Sherman act and the
reform of the tariff are the two
great subjects with which we will
have to deal. The numerical strength
of the free silver vote is not certain.
1tis certain. however, that many men,
bers Will oppose repeal unless some
thing nearer to free coinage is offered.
When the tariff debate springs up every
protected industry in the country
will have its representative upon
the floor. With the opposition so
strong, it will be absolutely necessary
to modify the rules, else nothing can be
done. Every one remembers the scenes
which marked the closing days of the
last congress. Day after day was wasted
in senseless motions which had no OBJ
ject save delay. With these rules again
in force no vote could be reached. l
think that the
Committee on Rules
thoroughly understands this. am
mistaken if when congress meets a
different order of things does not OBJ
tain. IU is as-nearly certain as anything
can be that a quite considerable change
will be the result of conference
/ and past experience. Last winter
I Isthe committee on rules fOrmu-
lated a provision which should
meet the case. It was to the
effect that it shall be always in order to
call uD for consideration a report from
|ithe committee. on rules. The working
of it will be this: Suppose that. after a
month of debate, the committee on
rules reports that the next Thursday
shall be set apart for vote upon
the repeal of the Sherman act
and moves the previous question.
Setting aside the day will be of little
effect. as that day might, be wasted in
filibustering, but il the majority wishes
to do business it can vote down the mo-
tion for the previous question, which
will leave it open to amendment. An
amendment can then be offered setting
the vote for certain hour, and. if car
ried by the majority, dilatory motions
VIII BE Crushed.
1.-The rule declares that. after the re-
port of the committee is made, but one
motion to adjourn shall be entertained.
1t will be as direct and strong method
| of cloture as can be devised. and [ have
little doubt of its adoption. By this
course the conduct of the .busi-
ness of the house will be
| placed entirely in the hands
of the majority, and upon the
| majority will fall the praise or blame.
do not suppose that there is member
of the last United States house who
does not appreciate the necessity OF
change in the rules. With regard to
| the sentiment of the South concerning
the repeal OF the Sherman act, l
believe that it is in a formative
! in all sections of the country are doing
more thinking upon tnlS SuOJect tnan
ever before. Eighteen months ago the
South was strongly i'll favor of free
coinage, but it is not so today.
Sentiment is changing. If asked
to hazard a guess, should
say that it is now about half
and half. The cause of sound money
has gained ground very rapidly. Per-
sonally. favor the repeal of the Sher-
man law. | would like to see something
in its place to benefit the country
some legislation more wise and more
conservative-but it should be wiped
out. if needs be, unconditionally."