The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-20


He would ask ~ that was all that was re
quired. Would the Senator be guided By tn
code Of rules In changing them1 Senator Hi
replied that he insisted that no restriction
upon changing the rules was binding upon tn
senate. To this Senator Butler replied tina
IL he understood Mr.. Hill his PROPOSE
ton was that the rules bind the mi
nority. but do not bind the ma
iority At that Mr.. Hill replied-each mar
rising in his place and answering the other
| though for the most part Senator Butler ker
on his fect-thst the position he took was tina
in all matters OF regular procedure the rules
are binding upon all. but when they restrict
constitutional action they are unconstitu'
tionaL Senator Butler reminded Senator Hill
that the Senate was at that moment tied un
| VERY we'll" said Senator Hill II We are
| tied up propose that we unite ourselves.
propose to give notice and. at come future tim q
| agreed upon. to proceed to change the rules.
| There is no difficulty about It"
1t was astonishing to the galleries. 1t was
shocking to tho old Senators to notice how
persistently Mr.. Hill kept on saying that there
wasn't any trouble about upsetting the musty.
time-crusted. weather. beaten old pillars that
prop up the dignity Of the Senate.
Ex.speaker Reed dropped in Just hero and
loled In one OF the back-row seats, lazlly curl
GUS to watch what he believed was stage OF
the transition Of tho ancient Senate into o
modern business concern.
Mr. Butler persisted by asking again whether
Mr.. Hill would change the rules by disregard
ing them or would change them as the code re-
ouires.
Mr. Hill said that how the rules were changed
would depend upon the attitude OF the minor
ity.
Then" said Mr.. Butler. leaping to an OK
treme conclusion. I understand that the Sen
ator would not be bound by the code, but
would make tho change at any hour. on any
day OF the week. In any week Of the year when
. majority decides to do So"
II am one OF tho majority" said Mr.. HILL
but speak only for myself hope that
soon. before these proceedings get through q
majority will be found by my side. ready to
change the rules. 80 that the majority can do
Its work. regardle OF tho minority"
At this Senator Butler said that he had got
Mr.. Hill down to point where he understood
him. II he proceeded In the way he proposed
he would find the minority ready to meet him
freely. frankly. and unreservedly. To refuse
to do SO would be to fly In the face OF history.
The Senate had changed it's rules time and
time again. but always in an orderly. proper
way.
1t was then Mr.. Hills turn to ask question.
anu ne INQUIRED whether the oonhtor from
South Carolina claimed the right OF unlimited
debate on every motion to amend the rules.
IL my conscience ana my cons.ituents
JUSTLY mo In MAINTAINING unhmieea aeoate.
said Senator Butler. II shall adopt that
course"
Mr.. Hill then very pointedly asked how. I'M
dor such circumstances. the majority could |
over amend the rules. and Mr.. Butler avoided
this grave question. which summed up the |
whoIe diincu'ty oy inc SHY reply thet ne SUD-
posed the eehaoe "ouiu nave 10 reiy upon the |
persuasive powers oi 'he gentiemah from New
orH. no saio ne 'housh' tnose persuasive
powers wouid DO louno on MS side In time.
perhaps Wheh inc ne" iork elections were
over.
Atthis point air. hoar OF massachusetts ven
'rabie IN appearance out youthful In the
reshness OF MS intellect rose TO remark
nat under certain circumstances would
'ppear that no chanRe OF poiitical opinion
ouid take piace IN the senate until
very State In tho Union changed its
entiments ana all became harmonious
he asked II the logic OF senator Butler did not
'ring him 10 that conclusion. senator Butler
eplled that OF course they could always pro-
1850 extreme cases. but the presumption was
n favor OF this body changing Its rules In ac-
ordance with common sense. He pointedly
'sked Senator Hoar II he held that the Senate
ould changeft its mode OF procedure except in
ccordance with its rules
lido" said Senator Hoar "The extreme
ase submitted is no moro extreme than
hat which confronts the Senate this minute,
When the Senator from South Carolina
aid that there was no way to pass this
Ill. we all knew him to mean that
here was no constitutional provision by which
re could pass this bill. II q motion is made
0 change these rules which will tie I'M the
american people to the will OF a minority: n
uch a motion or rule were presented to the
residing officer, after filibusteripg had gone
o far that. in his opinion tho Constitution be.
ame inoperatiye. he. nm of,cer cbos.n
y the people and not by tho Senate.
nd having his duty prescribed by the
constitution and not by the Senate. when
libusterinR reached a point where further
iscussion tended to delay action. it would he
, his power and It would be his duty TO ask
he Senate whether he should nut the oues.
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