New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-06
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CLOSURE IN THE SENATE
IT APPEARS TO BE AS DEAD AS THE "P0rs
GUN" BILLS.
MR.. VESTS SUDDEN ZEAL FOR REFORM mon
LIKELY TO BEAR FRUIT THIS SESSION.
THE REAL TROUBLE IN THE WAY.


THE REAL TROUBLE IN THE WAY '
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuNE.l
Washington. Dec 5.-Mr. Vest made his adj
vert.sed speech this afternoon in the Senate IN
advocacy OF a closure amendment to the rules.
but his crusade for the introduction OF business
methods" in the "deiberative branch" fell rather
fiat The Missouri Senator was until last sums,
mer one Of the most vehement defenders Of the
present system OF legislative obstruction, known
as freedom Of debate" but his personal suffer-
ings during the three months which he spent In
conducting the Wilson-Gorman bill through the
Senate effected a radical conversion on his part.
1t Is undoubtedly true that some OF Mr.. vests
present zeal for reform in the rules arises from
desire to revenge himself on the conservative"
Democrats who last year forced the abandon
ment Of the so-called 'popgun" coal, ironores
sugar and barbed- wire tariff bills. But the Mis-
souri, Senator Is also plainly weary OF the oo-
structive methods which he and his associates
used to beat the Lodge Election bill In 1891, ana
which were turned upon the Finance Commit
tee in 1894 to prevent the passage of any radical
tariff legislation. Other Democratic "cuckoos'
in the Senate are supporting Mr.. Vest In his cam.
paign for the enforcement Of 'the previous ques-
ton," yet so far no real progress toward tne
enactment Of a closure iu'e has been made or
will any be made In spite OF Hi Ar. 'ese "AAS
his associates may do at the present session.
The real trouble about securing a closure rule
ia that the more influential Senators on Dotn
sides would be shorn by the introduction of the
previous question " fully three-fourths OF their
present authority. Mr.. Germans power IN tne
Senate for instance has been built up by TIE
gradual absorption on his part of the functions
of an intermediary to arrange with the leaders
on the other side the terms and conditions OF
all important legislation. without previous
ftaff md
only avenues to legislation and in the art OK
parlia n,entary bargaining, Mr.. German mas no
equal on the Democratic, side OF the chamoer.
Facing the certain prospect of loss of Demo-
cratic control in the Senate AT the end OF threo
months Mr. German H. naturally aVerse 10 ale
lowing any such change In the rules TO be maze
as will reduce the minority hereafter 10 PfaoA-
cal helplessness.
| Under the present system the dozen men on
both sides who dominate the senate can con-
| troll all legislation The introduction or closure
would put leaders and followers on OASIS OF
eoualitv simple force Of numbers taking tho
place Of dexterity in parliamentary manipua-
ton and ability to compromise warning opinions
and interests as the motive power or the SEN
ates action Mr. German. as chairman or tne
Democratic Steering Committee" is perfectly
satisfied with the present situation. ana tnougn
Mr.. Vest Mr.. George. Mr.. Berry ana otner OUT
slders may camor for REFORM IL is saIe 10 say
that they will not get 1t So long as party PoweE
remains concentrated in Mr. Germans hands.
| Mr. Vest modified his closure resolution this af'
| ternoon so as to require the Committee on hules
| 10 report a method of closure by December 10.
| Even in this mild form Ii excited the opposition
| ~ Mr. Harris who said thai the Committee on
| Rules would probably not be able to meet AT All
before that date. owing to Mr. biackourns 5 a1-
sence In Kentucky The resolution was many
sent to the calendar. and Mr. Vests motion 10
| take II up again was choked of by an executive
| session Closure Is as dead. apparently, roc
this session, as are the "popgun" tarin bills