Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-19
CLOTURE PROPOSED.
Mr.. Platt Proposes an Amendment
to the Senate Rules.
A LIVELY DEBATE IN TIE UPPER HOUSE.
Several Senators Speak and Some
Of Them Sharply.
MORE EXPECTED TOMORROW.

AAASASA< xLxAI In LD 4ONuO1N1NO w .
The third trump card of the managers Of
the silver repeal bill in the Senate was
played today. A few minutes after noon
Senator Voorhees, moved the consideration
of the bill. and then launched forth with
an impassioned speech indicating the rea-
sons why he could not move for a cloture
and giving notice that tomorrow he would
move for longer sessions Of the Senate.
The discussion that followed was marked
with considerable bitterness. and at times
grew personal. The climax of it occurred
when Senator Plat introduced an amend
ment to the rules Of the Senate providing
for a previous question. This amendment
will be called up tomorrow, and the debate
on it and the Voorhees, motion will doubt
less be very warm.
Senator Voorhees, began his remarks by
alluding to the original rules of the Senate.
addressing himself. he said, as well to the
large body OF intelligent citizens as to the
out that from 1883 until 1896 the Senate
rules contained provision for the pre-
vious question, which was tried fully and
then deliberately abandoned.
He Defends His Position.
Il am arraigned for not terminating this
debate" he said. II might as well be ar
raigned for not checking the flow of the
tides. Since 1896 to the present time the
Senate has proceeded upon the rules of
American manhood, self respect and high
propriety. as well as a sense of duty to the
public and Of decency to itself. 1t is a
mighty tribute to this body. There Is a
prevailing belief yet that no Senator will
abuse patience In this debate
In my judgment" he went on, ''the
criticisms of certain class will fall rs
harmless from the Senate from myself.
l meet those criticisms with absolute and
stern defiance. The criticisms of the New
YORK bankers come from a class that not
spect; nor do l."
He alluded to the force bill. and declared
that II was not debated to death, though
the consideration Of it lasted fifty days and
the debate thirty-one days. 1t was killed
by the power Of thought and reason, slain
oy tne law or the majority. voted to death.
II there Is power here to talk this hill
70 death. he said. abiding to the Wilson
oiil. i am ready to embrace its fate. and
mine with IT.
-, He divided the pubic press into two
classes, one that SCARED In the high level of
pure thought, and the uthtr that waIlow ed
In the slough Of "miasna tic ynendacity.'
In conclusion the Senator appe.iled for
the third lime to the silver managers TO
know II there was time wheel 4 vote could
be taken. and Senator Dubois arose 10
reply.
Senator DOlph's Reply.
He scored the Senator from Indiana Sc
Verely, abiding to his speech as a "splen-
did defamation" that had been q mere ex-
PLANTATION OF personal matters to those out
side or the chamber and had not told the
Senators a thing they did not already
know. He denied Mr. Voorhees, statement
that the force bill was voted to death and
q no lA<vtr OIL
"A minority this side?" he asked
ity here?"
He arraigned Senator Voorhees, for rot
proceeding In order, and said that II was a
safe guess that he was about to propose
longer sittings.
We are ready to Join issue with him."
called out the Senator from Idaho in chal-
ienge, 'on any question for continuous ses-
sons or night sessions or for a cloture''
Then Mr.. Dubois paid his respects to the
antf-silver republicans in no moderate
terms. but in such humorous spirit that
ne raised general laugh.
Nr. Nvh~i. Vumor.
1.-The distinguished administration Sena-
tors on this side of the chamber will prob
bly, be glad to follow In the procession
led by the Senator from Indiana. The
senior Senator from Massachusetts will
doubtless be happy to wave the band mas
ter's baton, and the senior Senator from
the same state will unquestionably be glad
to play the drum. while the senior Senator
from Ohio walks arm in arm with the
Senator from Indiana
THE Senator from Indiana is not in a
happy situation" he went on. land IL is a
pity to make his case worse. but We must
do it,
Senator Voorhees, was on his feet in a
moment when Mr.. Dubois had concluded
and he said that he realized that an effort
to establish cloture would consume not
only the present session but all of the
next one. He then gave notice that he
would move tomorrow for a longer session
of the Senate.
senator tsuur Makes some Remark.
Mr.. Hoar secured the floor to reply to Mr..
Dubois. and said: Il was opposed to the
things represented by the administration
now in power when the Senator from Idaho
was in the loins of his grandmother" He
then read from one of SCOTS novels to
express his further contempt for the allu-
sions that had been made and turned his
attention TO Senator Voorhees, and told him
that 1t was not in very good taste for him
to keep on sticking apples Of discord into
the mouths of the republicans by frequent
illusions to the force bill. He corrected
him by saying that the previous question
of the first Senate was debatable and there
fore not equivalent to a cloture
Senator Platt then introduced his amend
ment to the rules. providing that on the
written appncaton OF a majority OF the
members of the Senate the presiding officer
should fix day for a vote on the pending
measure. giving not less than five days for
a debate under the five minute rule.
Senator Dubois gave Senator Hoar the
last blow by telling him that while he had
no doubt Of his republicanism in the past
he certainly challenged it now.
Mr. Teller Has II List.
Mr.. Teller took the floor to -eply to Mr..
Voorhees, and spoke for ONE time. He said
that he could show Senator Voorhees, a list
of at least fifteen Senators who wanted to
speak on the bill. thirteen Of whom had not
yet opened their mouths.
Mr.. Hill interrupted to ask: Are YOU not
satisfied that there Is a majority here in
favor of unconditional reoeal?'
'"rhe Senator has no right ask me such
question" replied Mr.. Teller. and re-
fuse to reply to It,"