Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-13
TOCLOSE THE DEBATE
Senator Voorhees, Proposes One
Week Longer for Discussion.
THIS Is ANHAGONIzED BY Mr. DUBOIS.
Other Means VIII Now Be Tried
to Get a Vote.
SOME DETERMINED STEP

The steering committee of Senators in
charge Of the Wilson repeal bill today gave
an indication Of their determination to close
the debate that now appears to be hopeless
ly strung out. At the close of the morning
hour. o'clock. Senator Stewards resolution
concerning the holdings in the national bank
interests having been discussed by Senator
Allen Of Nebraska, the Wilson bill was
brought up. Mr.. Shoup being entitled to the
floor. Senator VOORHEES,. however. secured
the floor and there was instant attention,
for 1t was thought that he was about to
make an important announcement With
nearly every seat in the Senate filled he
spoke Of the fact that the Wilson bill had
been discussed by the House Of Represent
atives for fifteen days and by the Senate up
to date for twelve days, not counting Sum
days.
He drew comparison between the sizes
of the Senate and the House and said that
he did not think the most sensitive gentle
man opposed to the bill could contend that
there had been any want of liberality on
the part Of the committee in charge Of 1t.
There had been the fullest disposition to
allow wide discussion. but he would like to
get an expression from those in authority
to make it as to when the vote could pos
sibly be reached. He would therefore sug-
gest that the Senate take a vote ten days
from now, or perhaps a week from today,
or, in other words close the general debate
on the bill
A Week More Of Debate.
Let u.s." he said. 'have an agreed day
to close general debate and then give fur
Their time for the discussion of amend
ments. 1 ask that one week from today
the general debate on the bill be closed
and that the amendments to the bill be
open to discussion until Saturday. when a
vote shall be taken"
He added that he had the utmost respect
for the Senators opposed to repeal, and
that he could not for a moment believe
that any Senator desired to consume time
needlessly.
Let u.s." he said. las fair men, come to
some understanding. The House of Repre-
sentatives consumed fifteen days. My
proposition gives ten days more for the
Senate"
Senator Dubois Objects.
Senator Harris, who was In the chair,
asked If there was any objection and Sem
ator Dubois took the floor. He said that
all Of the silver men appreciated the cour-
tesy and fairness of Senator Voorhees, and
had no disposition to criticize him. but he
disagreed with his statment that the House
had discussed the Wilson bill either to its
own satisfaction or that of the country He
referred to the debate on the federal cleo
ton bill when Mr.. Voorhees, Joined with Mr..
German in demanding more time This
bill was as Important as that, and silver
men proposed to have time. He believed
eight-tenths of the people were now behind
those who were for silver.
Mr.. Voorhees, denied that there was any
undue haste. He vas a better friend of
silver. he said. than any man who favored
this miserable act. When this bill was re-
pealed he expected to assist in bringing
about proper coinage
Mr.. Dubois asked Mr.. Voorhees, If 1t would
not be necessary to supplement the repeal
of this act by some legislation favorable to
silver?
YES, SIR" said Mr. Voorhees,. land 1 am
ready to help engage in 1t. Financial legis-
iation will not cease with this repeal"
Mr.. Dubois said he did not doubt Mr..
Voorhees, statements. but burnt children
not believe the President would sign any
bill favorable to silver. For that reason
they proposed to keep up the fight.
MIR. Dubois then formally objected to the
proposition Of Mr.. Voorhees,. This. of
course, annuls MIR. Voorhees, proposition,
as it was not made in a form that calls for
a vote.
To Force the Debate.
Mr.. Voorhees, accepted the situation grace
fully and said that he would call ny the
matter again at some future time. The in
cident Is taken to mean that the commit
tee in charge of the bill has determined to
force the debate without actually proposing
cloture. This latter course would undoubt-
edly be met with various opposition, giving
tn" silver men more ammunition for their
debate, sides arousing antagonisms that
might destroy the lines that have been SO
strictly drawn between the repeal and anti
repeal parties
There is still another means at the dis
posal of the committee by prolonging each
session. introducing night sittings and per-
haps shortening the morning hour. The old
proposition Of Senator Voorhees, Of the SEN
ate to meet at II O'Clock each day is still
possibility. 1t Is an open question, Just
what means the committee will take to
force this question Of longer sessions, but
II is thought that with a few DAYS a defin-
lite and determined step will be taken by
them that may result in a test vote.