The news & observer., 1897-04-22
The Illinois Senator Makes II s
Maiden speech.
AGAINST BARNACLE RULES
WANTS SENATE DRY-DOChEL
AND IT'S BOTTOM SCRAPED.
on rsuRs S FROM GALL RI )
Gut His Resolution, in Spite q - ~ro
test, on Motion Of Svrmao -
Buried in the Commit
tee on Rules,


of Illinois, made his maiden speech in the
Senate to-day and signalized it by some
breezy criticism on the antiquated rules
Of the Senate. 1t was such a variation
from it's prosy debate of recent days that
the Senator was accorded close attention
and twice received the hearty applause
of crowded galleries.
The maturing of the tariff bill was in
dicated by the deluge of petitions relat-
ing to tariff rates presented TO the Sen
ate to-day. Mr.. Spooner tRep. Wish
sent a bundle containing several hun
dred petitions, urging re-enactment OF
the Mckinley rates on lumber.
Mr.. Morgan (Dem., Ala.,, rejorted IA
vorabIy from thet committee on Foreign
Relations an amendment to the sundry
civil bill proposing an appropriation Of
$4,000 TO improve Pearl harbor, Ha-
waiian islands.
A resolution by Mr.. Eawley Rep.,
Comm. was agreed to duly acknowledge
ing the invitation Of Mayor Strong, OF
New York, to participate in the coming
Grant ceremonies. and providing a com
mittee Of II Senator's TO be appointed
by the Vice President 20 represent the
Senate.
Mr. Cn.lom's resolution yesterday call.
ing on the Secretary of the Treasury for
information relative TO internal revenue
taxes On distilled spirits was agreed to.
This cleared the way for an unexpected
an6 very breezy speech from the new
Senator from Illinois, Mr.. Mason, which
aroused two outbursts from the galleries.
1t occurred on the resolution Of Mr.. Ma
son, introduced yesterday, directing the
committee on Rules to report a rule pro-
viding for the closing of debate and for
inns Ifp nnI Ias
to have the resolution 90 to the committee
on Rules, but he gave notice that unless
some report was forthcoming at an early
day he wohld move to have the committee
discharged, so that the resolution could
Sse brought I'D before tae. Senate. 1t
was agreed or al hands, proceeded the
Senator, with 4 vein Of sarcasm. that the
United States Senate is great body.
That vas the Wow particularly Of Those
within the body and on the pay rol. But
every one knew also that it was the only
legislative body in existence incapable Of
doing business. Mr.. Mason said he
hoped he would be forgiven for these re-
Election for he was still in the kindergar-
ten class, and he recognized that he was
thrashing over old straw. But he pro-
posed TO keep thrashing over this old
straw during the next six years III tie
Senate.
-Ar- Mason referred to the approa ching
tariff debate. The bill would be before
the Senate soon. 1t remedied an act
which promised tariff for revenue
and gave a tariff for deficiency" 1t
was now proposed to give protection to
American industries and to the American
t8aoring man and yet the business inter
ests We're trembling on the verge Of
'despOndency and Democracy" because
they knew the fate of the bill depended
not the ma jority, but on the minority.
Every one sees, he declared, that while
we profess to be a government by the
people, when We reach the highest body
of the Government. there is rule of the
minority Mr.. Moson glanced around the
chamber and said he observed the smile
on the faces Of some of his co'lea CUES.
They ell liked power, and as soon as !,
man entered these Senate doors his ener-
gies were directed to retaining power in
The old way.
u want 70 deliver a message from the
people before this hope of power pos
sesses me. exclaimed the Senator. and the
galleries gave response by hearty APP
plause.
Mr. Mason spoke of the paralysis In
the Senate on all great questions. Here
ut the close of the nineteenth century, the
great question was presented whether In
,ternational differences were to be settled
nv arbitration or by the methods of
fitzsimmons and COrbett. The Senate
.s.s-. Histened TO speeches, but in this, as
in aa other questions. t.,ere was no ac-
't.pn. The Senator from Alabama tMor-
g,an) had presented a resolution as to
Cuba. involving the Cuban question,
handed down to us by Grover
"a IL
qyio1g It was impossible to tear
down the golden god of the Senate rules
lin .eyf,er to act on Cuba. The Senator
sassp,;,.s that there was majority Of In
snrcents" in this body; majority was
ready TO act but was ,,.cld back by the
n,:noritv I'm control. 1t was unIte to do
sway with these barnacle rules.
seIt would not scuttle the old ship" ex-
.e,.omed the Senator vigorously. but
wa4tla Ike to put her in dry dock long
enough to have her bottom scraped."
There was another round of applause
when Mr.. Mason concluded.
Mr.. Hoar, of Massachusetts, replied
briefly. pointing out that the other branch
as Congress was more open to criticism
rbon the Senate. He was in accord with
Mr., Mason. however, on the need OF new
rules.
Mr.. German Oem.. Maryland) prompt
iy moved to refer the resolution 10 the
rules committee.
Mr.. Mason protested. saying this COM
~mittee on rules was recognized as the
taltorether lovely graveyard. to which
are committed the bodies or deceased
measures"
The roll was called on Mr.. G"rman's
motion TO refer and it prevailed-32 to "A
Mr. Hoar followed with a motion dis
charging thp committee on rules from
fnrtber consideration of his resolution
Ltroduced some time ago for the revision
Of the Senate rules.
Mr.. German asked that the resoint1o'
ro over until Tomorrow and this arrange
ment was made.
AT 1918 the Senate went INTO eXecr
Loo ,nln