The record-union., 1894-12-06
Special to the REcoRD-US1oN.

eral brisk debates. Mr.. Vests efforts to
secure change in the rules in order to
expedite business was the chief event OF
the day. Mr.. Vest, who was formerly
opposed to cloture, to-day announced his
conversion. Another feature of the day
was the sharp debate on China-Japan
questions brought on by Mr.. Lodges
resolution calling for information as to
the torturing OF Japanese students who
were under American protection. MIR.
f, PETER made the first formal speech of the
session, criticising from Populistic
point Of view the recent issue of bonds
and giving his views on finance.
There was not quorum present when
the Senate met to-day.
Bills were introduced: By Berry of Ar
kansas-To form the Territory of Indi
anola out of portions of Indian Territory.
By Dolph OF Oregon-To exempt from
duty foreign exhibits at the Portland Ex-
hibition.
By Hunton of Virginia-To remit fines
and penalties on the naval ships York
town, Baltimore, New York and Phila-
delphia
By Dolph-To forfeit unearned public
lands granted to railroads.
BY Mcpherson of New Jersey-For
the investigation of the merits of plan
Tor the unit of labor.
Morrill, stated that on Wednesday he
would address the Senate on 'SOme Mar
velous Senatorial Bills, and Some Quack
Panaceas for Real and Imaginary His"
The ce-PreSident laid before the SEN
ate the resolutions of Lodge calling on
the Secretary of State for Information as
to the execution of two Japanese students
by the Chinese authorities while the stu
dents were under the protection of the
United States.
Lodge said if the facts were as pub
Hshed some one was very much to blame.
If they were not so this Government
should be vIndicated.
Chandler suggested, as the Senator
from Alabama (Morgan) was Chairman
of the Foreign Relations Committee, il
would be we'll to know if he saw any OBJ
lection in securing speedy information.
Morgan stated that war was now pro-
crossing between China and Japan, and
1t would be unWlSe TO take any action
which would appear favorable to one
belligerent or the other. Morgan said
his main objection to the resolution was
that it was predicated on the impeach-
ment of the President or the Secretary of
State.
Lodge answered, with much warmth,
he had not intended any impeachment
or made any attacks. This country
has done a good deal of meddling in
this Chinese Japan mix" said Lodge.
sharply.
Morgan stated that a meeting of the
Foreign Relations Committee would be
called at once to consider the resolution if
it was sent to the committee. 1t was SO
referred.
PETER then secured the floor for a care
fully prepared speech, which he read
from printed sheets. 1t referred to his
resolution calling Tor information as to
haa antir Of lnn Of flNn
ury in issuing bonds and arraigning pub
lie officials for pertidy and usurpation of
authority.
At the close of Peffer's speech the reso-
luton was adopted without division. 1t
asks the Judiciary Committee to inq uire
into the action of the Secretary OF the
Treasury in issuing bonds.
Another resolution by Mr.. PETER, for in
formation from the President as to the use
OF United States troops at Chicago during
the Pullman strike. brought out consid-
erabie debate on the question as to its
reference TO the committee
Chandler (Rep.) of New Hampshire
supported Petfer's contention. Now
that the President has Congress on his
hands," said Chandler, sit would be well
to get all this and other public informa-
tion at the earliest possible moment so
Congress could proceed to deal with
them"
the Judiciary Committee.
Vest (Dem.) of Missouri then addressed
the Senate on the need of change of the
Senate rules. He modified the form OF
his previous resolution so that the Com
nlittee on Rules is to report by December
10Th as to plan for closing debate Mr.
Vest said he had formerly opposed
cloture, but he was now convinced that
cloture was inevitable, and that it should
be effected as soon as posi- ole. The
question was thoroughly understood.
having been debated for years, so that the
Senate was In a position to act at once
When the Senate numbered forty mem
bers there was no need of cloture, but
with the Senate increasing so that its
membership would soon reach 100, it was
imperatively necessary 10 have a rule
bringing debate to close. In reality,
the present rules stifled debate. Senators
will not debate question when they
recognize the hopeless opposition under
which they labor. "TheSe rules encour-
age parliamentary blackmail," declared
the Senator. amendments to bills are
offered under the deliberate threat that if
they are not accepted an indefinite oppo-
sition will be inaugurated. Bills OF vast
public interest fingered here until they
were dead, and the people were weary
and disgusted with the spectacle of q
powerIess Senate. Even when the bills
passed, after such contest. they were so
from the House."
Vest said he expected no ulterior pur-
pose Of securing the advancement of the
separate tariff bills. He would vote for
these bills, but in the present case his
only object was to secure the change OF
the rules which were essential and in
evitable.
Harris Dem of Tennessee added his
opinion in favor of change of the rules,
but he suggested that the absence from
the city of the Chairman of the Commit
tee on Rules, Blackburn, made it uuwise
to compel a report of form of cloture
by December 18th. Harris said he would
undertake to promise that some such
resolution would be reported soon after
the return of Black burn.
.sIt is said" said Aldrich, that this
new rule is not to apply to legislation OF
this session, nor to the pending tariff
bills.''
.sIt applies to everything" said Vest.
"If this new rule is adopted" asked
Allen (Pop.) of Nebraska, Twill any
effort be made toward financial legisla-
ion on the lines of the Presidents mes
sage?"
Vest said he was not authorized to state
what would be done in that regard.
In order to terminate the random dis
cussion, Harris moved 10 go into execu-
tive session.
Ransom (Dem.) of North Carolina Sc
cured recognition to present the creden-
tials of Patrick Walsh, reelected as Sem
ator from Georgia. Arm in arm, Walsh
and Ransom walked to the desk of the
President Of the Senate, and the oath oi
Office was administered.
Vest gave notice that be would renew
his motion in behalf OF the resolution to-
IL