Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-12-05
CLOSURE CAN'T WIN
A Fact Demonstrated by the
Senate Caucus.
MUCH TALK BUT NO CONCLUSIONS.

Propositions for Limiting q Debate, the
Enort tn Legislate ON the Currency Dis
cussed at Length-Attosney General Oh
aey's Report the Chicago STRIKE
Some Bills Proposed by PETER.
WASHINGTON, Dec. a.-The Democrats Of
the senate spent about three hours in eau
action. to meet again tomorrow after the
adjournment of the senate. The entire
time was devoted TO discussion Of the
situation and to the wisest course of &C.
ton for the Democratic party during the
present session of congress. There were
numerous speeches, but they were gen.
orally devoid of features of special interest.
To quote the language of one who was
present, almost every senator present
talked during the caucus, and each advo-
Gated his own hobby. This consumed the
entire time, and no opportunity was given
for action.
What the Meeting Talked About.
As a matter of fact when the caucus adj
Journed at O'Clock there were not to ex-
coed twenty members present not enough
to decide upon course in a way
that would be binding, if those
present had been so disposed Hence an adj
journment was taken without action and
the steering committee went into session.
The entire discussion was based on n se-
ries of resolutions presented by Daniel of
Virginia in the shape of suggestions de-
claring for a cloture, committing the par
ty to an abandonment of all efforts to
amend the tariff law and to an effort to
reform the currency in accordance with
the suggestions in the presidents mes
sage.
And Morgan Talked the Longest.
These resolutions opened wide range
of debate, in which many senators par
ticipated. The principal speeches were
made by voorhees,, Harris, Vest Morgan
Pugh and Ransom. Voorhees, opened the
talk with suggestion to the effect that
the wisest course lay in the abandonment
Of any effort to pass the free raw material
bills tso called because of the evident de-
termination of the Republicans to prevent
action. Vest in his speech showed an in
clination toward cloturc, contcnding that
if the Democrats did not adopt il the Re
publicans would when they should come
into power Morgan made probably the
longest speech of the session in present
ing a plea for liberal allowance of time
for the consideration of the Nicaragua
canal bill.
No Hope for Daniels Ideas.
Whls no action on any question was
| taken by the caucus the prevailing senti-
ment after the close seemed TO b, that
the ultimate decision of the caucus wou d
be adverse to the entire series of PROPOSE
tons presented by Daniel. The sentiment
Favorable to cloture seemed quite evenly
divided and there are reasons for believing
that it might be agreed upon but for the
fact that the Democratic party will socn
be in the minority in the senate. circum-
stance which led some to advise against
the change who had heretofore been con-
sidered favorable TO it.
There was also a strong element present
| favorable to the passage Of the sugar bill
as reported by the finance committee,
striking out all differentials on sugar and
leaving a straight revenue duty of 40 per
cent. ad valorem, but it was pointed out
that if the attempt should be made in this
direction 1t would open up the entire tariff
uIpStion