Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-18
FEDERAL ELECTIONS BILL
Democratic Senators Anxious to Fix
Date for the Debate
MIR. Frye Makes a sharp Attack On the
Majority - He Wants Them
to Say Something.

The progress Of the debate on the federal
elections bill I'm the Senate is being marked
with many curious phases. Though the
bill has been the unfinished business Of the
Senate for nearly fortnight, not a single
set speech has yet been delivered on either
side and there seems a disposition on the
part of each party to let the other take the
initiative. This condition of affairs led to
a remarkable debate yesterday afternoon
that developed considerable good-natured
sarcasm Immediately after the bill was
taken up the regular order of the day,
on the conclusion of the morning business,
Senator Chandler offered an amendment to
the bill in the form of addition section
providing for the selection of a watcher by
each candidate in every election for MEM
Der of Congress. The question was put by
the chair, Senator Jones of Arkansas, anu
was declared lost but the yeas and nays
were ordered, and before they could be call
ed Mr.. Chandler noted the absence of a
quorum. When fifty Senators had come
into the chamber, Mr. Chandler took the
floor to explain mis- amendment, and this
led TO a spirited but informal debate be-
tween Mr.. Chandler and Mr. Gray. and
later between Senators Chandler and Allen.
MIR. ChandIer's Hit.
After nearly an hour OF cross-firing Of a
publican and the populist. Mr.. Gray forged
to the front with some remarks upon the
general conduct of the debate and the
chances for taking a vote on the bill He
urged the republicans to give him some
idea of when they would be ready TO begin
with the debate proper and 10 go on with
ii to a legislative conclusion. Mr.. Chandler
then said that he was unwilling TO proceed
with the formal debate in the absence OF
Mr. Hill. He brought smile TO the faces
Of all the Senators by saying that the rea-
sons that took Mr.. Hill from the chamber
We're very well known TO Mr. Gray. Mr..
Gray appreciated the delicacy of Mr..
Chandler in thus considering the wishes
of Mr.. Hill. but he assured him that Mr..
Hill had given the bill into his hands when
he left and expressed his desire 10 have IL
pushed TO vote as soon as possible. with
out reference to his movements. Mr.. Hill
would, he thought, undertake 20 be present
when a vote was taken.
Mr. Chandler said that there were at
least a dozen republican Senators who
wanted to speak or the bill and he could
not say with certainty just when they
would be ready to begin.
Mr. Gray then stirred up the embers OF
Mr.. Chambers wrath by asking when the
republican Senators would be ready 10
take up a discussion of the bill seriously"
Il do not wish 10 take offense at any,
thing the Senator has said" answered Mr..
Chandler. but he does not mean 10 say
that We have not been serious in discussing
the bill so far?"
Mr.. Gray disclaimed any idea of such an
intimation and that point was avoided
without bloodshed.
Mr.. Frye's Attack.
Mr.. Higgins then came TO the front with
the suggestion that perhaps the republicans
would be ready 10 begin their talk on next
Monday, and that the debate could then
continue day in and day out. TO a vote.
This was satisfactory 10 Mr.. Gray, who
tried to pin MIR. Chandler down to an ac-
ceptance or a rejection OF the proposition.
but the latter evaded a reply by giving the
floor TO Mr.. Frye, who had just entered
Mr.. Frye then made a brief but very sig
nificant speech. haunting the democrats with
not having anything to say on such an i'm
portant measure. Ii was very hard work.
he said. to discuss a question where the
affirmative side has nothing to say.
He said: I'VE are perfectly dazed here by
finding an extraordinary proposition before
Congress and the democratic party having
nothing to say TO convert each other. When
the silver bill was under discussion there
was no lack OF argument on the other side
of the chamber. Democrats had TO try 20
convince other democrats.
Now. 1 am surprised that while on every
other question there is division. there is
discussion, there is give and take there 10
something said which calls for reply. in
this case there is nothing. While the DEM
ocratic party is divided on everything else,
whilst now il has immense difficulties with
in its own limits and its own borders on
every question of any Importance that
comes before the Senate. il is very notice.
able that when there is a proposition which
opens up the ballot box to opportunities for
fraud there Is no division whatever on the
democratic side; they are as one man, OF
one mind: they are solid: they are enthusi-
aStic even to the extent of absolute silence.
That question is always certain TO unite the
democratic party. / am not entirely certain
that the question has not been brought be-
fore the Senate for one purpose. and one
only, 10 unite the discordant ranks Of the
democratic party"
The Senator ought not to begrudge
us one measure on which We are united,s
remarked Mr.. Gray.
Il do not begrudge il. but should like to
have the Senators on the other side give
some reasons why they are so united on the
question Of the repeal of the election laws.
in order that ] may have an opportunity 10
reply to a certain extent"
Some Retorts.
Mr.. Gray quoted some history. and charged
the republicans with having failed to put
forth any speeches on the force bill"
when that measure was before the Senate.
Mr.. Chandler and Mr. Hoar refuted this as
sertion and endeavored to show that the re-
publicans had in reality put forth their
speeches but that the delays of the filibus-
tiers had caused the bill TO be forced from
the beginning Of the session. taking up the
debate where il had been left of the session
before. Mr.. Gray tried once again to get
a definite answer out of Mr.. Chandler but
failed. and then he moved an executive ses-
sion, and the question was left in the airs
d