Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-10
SENATE FILIDUSTERING.
Now You Have n Quorum and Now
You Have Not.

There was an interesting flibuster in the
Senate yesterday afternoon, after Mr.. Hill
had finished his speech. Mr.. Harris at
tempted TO fill out the remainder of the af-
ternoon by having the tariff bill read at
length, or so much of it as there might be
time for, but to this program the republi-
cans objected. Their position is that the bill
should be read as one special order, be-
ginning at , o'clock on some day and con-
tinuing until finished. The democrats are
in hopes that they may get the bill read
piecemeal at the ends of several days when
there is nothing else to occupy the Senate.
The republicans, too, are afraid that there
may be some sharp practice played by their
opponents, is in the case of the SeiEniOrage
bill, whereby the measure may be passed 10
its third reading suddenly, without any
chance of amendment or debate. ConSe-
quentiy, there was immediate objection to
the proposition of MIR. Harris, and long
debate ensued between Senators HOar Har-
ris, Hale, Aldrich, Henderson, Butler, Cor
man and PascO. An agreement was about
to be reached between the two sides, to the
effect hat the first formal reading of the
bill be dispensed with and that the bill be
read by sections under the amendment or
der, when Mr.. Harris insisted that the bill
be read formally, at its fun length At this
Mr.. Chandler suggested that the republicans
should not prevent Mr. Harris from lilibus-
tering against the bill IL he wants to do So
AT the request of Mr.. Adrich. a long quota
ton from The Congressional Record report of
q discussion in the Senate on July -. $50.
during the debate on the Mckinley bill
was read at the clerks desk. During the
reading Mr.. Henderson suggested that the
remainder might be printed in the Record,
and pending the disposition of his sugges-
ticn he moved an adjournment This was
lost, - to 81, and the reading continued
Mr.. Aldrich, immediately after this reading
was finished, asked to have the debate on
the tariff bill of 1883 on this same subject
read, but AIr. Palmer objected, and Mr..
Aldrich was about to read it himself
when Mr.. Hale moved for an eXecu-
tive session, which was lost, TO 81,
the republicans not voting. AS there
was no quorum, a call of the Senate was
ordered showing the presence of fifty Sena-
tors. The question was about to be put a
second time on the motion to go into execu-
tive session, when there was breezy col
loQuy between Senators Harris and AL
drich to the matter of debating the uues-
ton when the rules stipulate that it is not
subject to debate. Each Senator accused
the other of violating the rule. This vote
was lost, to 3D. and a call showed the
presence of fifty Senator's So, for the third
time. the roll was called on Mr. Hale's mo-
ton, which was again lost, 3 to 81. 1mme-
diately upon the conclusion of this roll call
Mr.. quay moved an adjournment. which was
lost. ! 10 80. and then, at 6:l5. nothing hay
ing been accomplished, Mr.. Harris gave up
the fight for voting quorum and moved to
adjourn, making statement of his position.
He said:
1--WE find ourselves in a condition at this
hour of the evening where there is not a
quorum voting upon any question on which
the Senate divides but upon a call of the
Senate there are seven Senators more than
quorum. Therefore, we cannot send for
absent Senators, because d quorum is pres
ent. In view Of that condition of affairs, /
intend, tomorrow morning, to notify my
pair that | can stand paired no longer, I'M
less 1t is with the distinct understanding
that / have a right to vote whenever / ap-
prehend there is a want of a quorum.
think the only thing left for US to do is to
give notice that our pairs exist no longer,
so that we who are here and stay here shall
all be free to vote. After making that state
ment as to the present condition Of affairs
and l hope before tomorrow night there
will be a very different condition of affairs,
| move that the Senate do now adjourn, as
| do not wish to vibrate between the call of
the roll upon the pending question and then
a call of the Senate which develops the
presence of a quorum"