The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-22
A GRAVEYARD
70 Which is Consigned the Bod
les of Deceased
Measures is What Senator Ma
son Styles the Committee
ON THE SENATE RULES
Says Senate is Governed by the
Minority.
He Wanted to Deliver a Mes
sage From the People.
ON THE SENATE RULES

Washington, April Ex-senator Ma
son of Illinois made his maiden speech
in the senate yesterday and signalized
it by some breezy criticisms on the
rules of the senate. 1t was such a vari-
alton from the prosy debate of recent
days that the senator was accorded
close attention, and twice received the
hearty applause of the crowded gal
leries.
The speech was in support of reso-
luton introduced by him directing the
committee on rules to report a rule by
which debate could be closed and the
previous question ordered. In this
connection Mr.. Mason sarcastically re-
ferred to the inactiOn of the senate on
all great questions before it. the long
and fruitless debate on Cuba and the
delay of the arbitration treaty.
Mr.. HOar of Massachusetts replied
briefly, pointing out that the other
branch of congress was more open to
criticism than the senate. He was in
accord with Mr.. Mason, however, on
the need of new rules. A vote was
taken on Mr.. Germans measure to re-
fer the Mason resolution to the rules
committee, which prevailed-yeas 81,
nays "a.
4 further discussion of the subject
IS promised, as Mr.. HOar has pending
a resolution to discharge the committee
rules from further considering the
reform of the rules. Most of the day
was given to the bankruptcy bill. The
vote on the substitute and amendments
win be taken at 3 p. m. today. 1t was
agreed that a committee of Is senators
should represent the senate at the
coming Grant memorial ceremonies.
Mr.. Mason referred to the approach
ing tariff debate. The bill would be
before the senate soon. 1t remedied
an act which promised a tariff for rev.
enue" and gave a tariff for dehclen-
cy." It was now proposed to give pro-
lection to American industries and to
American ahOri0g man. And vet
the business interests were trembling
on the verge of ''despOndency and De-
mOcracy,'' because they knew the fate
of the bill depended, not on the major
ity, but on the minority. Everyone
knows. he declared, that while we pro
fess to be a government by the people
when we reach the highest body of the
government there is a rule of the mi
nority Mr.. Mason glanced around
the chamber and said he observed the
smile on the faces of some of his col
leagues. They all liked power. and as
soon as a man entered these senate
doors his energies were directed to re
tanning power in the old way.
I want to deliver a message from
the people before this hope of power
possesses me- exclaimed the senator,
and the galleries gave response by
hearty applause.
Mr.. Mason spoke of the paralysis of
business in the senate on all great
questions. Here at the close Of the
18th century the great question was
presented Wn6ThGT international QlllGI-
ences were to be settled by arbitration
or by the methods of FitzsimmOns and
Corbett The senate had listened to
speeches. but in this as in all other
questions there was no action. The
senator from Alabama. (MOrgan) had
presented a resolution as to Cuba, IN
vOlving the great Cuban question,
handed down to US by Grover Il, but
where was that resolution? 1t was i'm
possible to tear down the golden god
of the senate rules in order to act on
Cuba The senator asserted that there
was a majority of insurgents IN TINS
body; a majority was ready to act, but
was held back by the minority in con
troll. 1t was time to do away with
these barnacle rules, Woul9 not
scuttle the old ship" exclaimed the
senator vigorously, but I would like
to put her in dry dock long enough TO
have her bottom scraped."
There was another round OF applause
as Mr.. Mason concluded.
Mr. Hoar CRep., Mass.), one of the vet
Grams of the senate replied brlehy TO Nlr;
be expected from the committee on rules;
as several of the members were engaged
was in accord with much of what the
senator said as to the need of action, but
he differed from him on some OF the crit
icisms against the senate. Mr.. German
Dem. Md. promptly moved to refer
the resolution to the rules committee
Mr.. Mason protested, saying this com
nittee on rules was recognized as the
''Altogethe- lonely graveyard TO whlch
are comitted the bodies of deceased meas
ures"
The roll was called on Mr.. Germans
motion to refer and it prevailed, 81 to "a
Yeas-Alien. Bacon, Baker. Bate. Ber-
~, Butler. Chiffon. Cocltren, Faulkner,
German. Gray. Harris tKan.), Hawley.
Heitfeld. Jones CArk.), Lindsay, McEnery,
McNillin Morgan, Mitchell, Murphy,
Pasco. Pettigrew. Pettus, quay Eaw-
Inns. Roach, SeWall Smith, Tillmans Iuf-
avs: S-Burroughs. Chandler Clark Col
1om. Davis, Fairbanks. Foraker, Frye
Gear, Hansbrough. Hoar, Mason, Mills
Nelson, Perkins, Plat IN y, Pr1tchard
Proctor. Spooner Turner. Vest, Warren
Wellington and WilSOn-24.
Mr.. Hos-r followed with a motion dis
charging the committee on rules from
further consideration of his resolution in
PRODUCED some time ago for the consider
Mr.. German asked that the subject go
over until Monday and this prevailed The
calendar was then taken up and several
minor bills passed
Al 1:15 the senate went into executive
The doors were soon opened and the
legislative session resumed There was
considerable difficulty in securing a quo
rum and II was necessary al one time 10
direct the sergeant-at-arms to summon
absent senator's
Mr.. Chandler (Rep. N HO offered a
concurrent resolution for an adjournment
OF the senate and house from April 26 to
Nav 3 with view to participating in the
Grant ceremonies at New York
Mr.. Morgan's objection carried the reso-
luton over
Mr.. Nelson secured an agreement that
the voting the substitute and all
amendments to the bill be taken at p.
N. today Mr. Turpie Dem Ind argued
against including corporal ions within the
benefits of bankruptcy proceedings, an
amendment proposed by him was agreed
to, emitting public corporal lions from the
opera ion of the bill
The bin was then laid aside and the SEN
ate adjourned
California Express. every day in the
vic no a 2