New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-19
HILL SCORES SENATE RULE.
INABILITY TO STOP DEBATE Is INABILITY
TO LEGIsIATE. HE SAYS.
METHODS NOW ~ VOGUE IN THE "DEIIBERA-
TIVE. BRANCH RELICS or TIE BURIED
pAsT-TIRIIE STILL TALKING ABOUT


THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON Dec. ls.-Mr. Hin seems 10 have been
eroping about no less eagerly than Mr. Cleveland
and Mr. Carlisle for some issue under cover Of
which he might make a somewhat abashed re-entrE
upon the political stage. Since the recen; election
All factions in the Democratic party have grown
absolutely weary OF tariff reform" Mr.. Cleveland
and MI Carlisle. as is we'll known. are frantically
endeayorng To divert public attention from the
tariff nasco by exploiting hodge podge scheme OF
currency reform" 1t Is not TO be wondered at
accordingly that Mr.. Hill should Try to poulce his
own political wounds by pushing 10 the front
similarly and alluring political issue-the re
| form" namely. OF the Senate rules
The Now-Yorl Senator's speech to-day IN crltlclSih
of the code of "Siluridn episrams by winch the
Senate Is governed. contained much SOUND reason
and sober sense His condemnation OF the methons
Of obstruction practsed In the Senate carried adj
diiiona weight, too, from the fact That ne IL not
like Mr. Vest. recent convert 10 buS'hesS
methods whose conversion was due solely to per
sonal Inconvenience and suffering incurred in charge
of a hotly contested party measure. Mt i'm mas
consistently advocated change In the rules Tor
The. last three sessions OF Congress. and his voice
was raised in defenc, OF sensible parliamentary
methods in the Senate at time when few of his
COLLEAGUES on the Democratic side were courageous
enough TO risk the imputation OF condoning Heed
ism by openly taking similar ground.
It IL hardly likely. however. that the changes
which Mr.. Hin pleaded for can ever be accomplished
except through general revision Of the senate
code at the very beginning Of some future Congress
The enormous power OF obstruction vested by the
rules In each member OF the Senate has been 80 long
exercised for the personal and political brhrnt o'
certain leaders in that body that only guarded. de
lberate. above ALL a non-p1i tisan movement Tor ie-
form at time when no particular legislative meas
ures pending. hope for success. Mi iiiils
speech to-day Will. therefore. be- practically fruit
less yet the ideas he expressed are emn"ntly sound
| and II IL scarcely 10 be doubted that they viii
eventually work their way into the Senates pArlld-
menary practice.
Mr.. Hill said tina. the sentiment ~ the country
seemed To desire the adoption Of some closure RUE
The demand for a change not limited by any
party environments Ii was not sought merely :"
secure partisan advantages, but Il reflected the de'p
conviction tina, time was unnecessarily wasted. thAt
| useful legislation wa. times unreasonably OBJ
structei. and that the conclusions % majority
did not Ind adequate ana prompt expression These
views were widespread and could not longer we'll
be ignored. lie asserted that the privilege 81 un-
limited debate In legislative body vas inconsistent
with. and destructive or the right and power ~
legislation. An inability ~ stop debate wls an IN
ability to iegisat" at all
It was significant fact that method Of los
Ing debate existed In the principal legislative bodies
| OF every civilized government In the world eN''p.
| I'm the English House OF Lords ana ia" United
| States Senate. But the House Of Lords was surely
| not body from which the United states = n@ir
should pattern especially IN We" 81 H. ''S' %.
| public conidenre It's defiance Of public sentiment
and IT, well-known general antIpl;hies 10 tfosfrr
slve legislation In the interest Of the nhS-"- IS
rules we're a portion Of It's methods for Ohsiri''ins
| popular reform - far "a the S.n4'e "a. % s.
! cerne1. parliamentary reform VA IN" h'"l 81 IN
hour. The present afforded an oppprtIH. N'hr l'i
the accomplishment 81 the propo-,d 'ii'sI ~ -,
The course a. open now as II ever "ouii u" ."'
such A change The responsible majority 10 IN"
Senate should not abdicatc Us iuncu'n- "'Hnu'
/ hang - lie a.
! IN. Democratic control OF the senate ceased u"
| measure OF thelf fairness and wisdom no" "o.i
be their snety FOR Just usdtFnent n.tea' 80 IN.
| pressing debate" IDLE clamOr about the iFrhHhF
Of the majorl;y" always ignorrl re M.S,ny
OF IN. minority be permitted - deter - ma
| tors from t,ieir plain duty In the pr en- e. -
The continuation OF no clotur" meant com
promise ON every measure. ~ man, no " !,
| meant continued merton to the end II the nrs,
| necessary steps were taken. the senate pathway
| would be cleared for action -, ,.,,..
Mr. Hll occupied about an hour IN me oe"'''S
" He was followed by Mr. Hoar. who expressed
| his FUN agreement with Mr.. iiils view OF me
| necessity OF a change Of the rules OF tn" S"iatr
il was one Of the grsves public questions hkr} 10
circumspection equal 10 what should De- b.s.o~on
| on an important amendment 10 the tont''',uu,VVn
OF the United States re thousns 'h lax. scheme
| which occurred to him (Mr. Hoar, was that after
| n particular time the Senate should b" authotiHe.i
| TO order the previous question ana hi'et '"n''
| every member OF the body should hhN" an op,
poriunty to address the senate io' o roi." MI
| lime perhaps. at least one hour Ihat "0uIu
| bring The debate to an end in 100 hours II there
| were 100 Senators and each wished 10 speak, ,,,
| After further discussion Mr. iiiI rrson, ,oi
| went over until tomorrow. ana IN" 'ohsln"t"t,,o
| Of the Nlcaraguan Canal bill was resumed Mi'
Turple Dem. Ind continued MS argument W m
gun yesterday against thc b pu' ndi "o' W.
| ishcd his speech when the Senaie At -" p M al
| 1Ourned.