Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-22
SENATE PARALYSIS.
DIR. MAsoys MAIDEN SPEECH A
REGULAR ROysER.
He RULE OF A MINORITY,
This Is what Obtains in the Upper
House OF Congress, According to
the Observation-Disclosures Bill
Vote To-Day.

WASHINGTON. u. c.. April n.-Sena-
tor Mason, Of Illinois. made his maiden
speech in the Senate to-day. ana signal
tied 80 by some breezy criticism on the
Anticipated rules OF the Senate. 1t was
such "a variation from the prosy debate
Of recent days. that the Senator was ac-
corded close attention. and twice received
the hearty applause of crowded galleries.
The maturing Of the tariff bill was In
Gicatcd by dolUge OF petitions re.ating
20 tariff rates presented to the Senate
to-day. Nr. spoouer Republicam, Of
Wisconsin. sent a bundle containing seve-
raj hundred petitions, urging a re-eaact-
mcnt Of the Mckinley rates on lumber.
Mr. Morgan UomocraO. Of Alabama,
reported favorably from the Committee
on Forcign Relations an amendment TO
The sundry civil BILL proposing an appro-
rriaton OF $4,000 30 improve Pearl har-
Dor. the Hawaiian Islands.
4 resolution by Mr.. Hawccy Republi-
cam. 90 Connecticut. Was agreed 10. duly
acknowledging the invitation OF Mayor
strong. of New Yo h to iartic PATE I'm the
COMING Grant ceremonies and providing
EUalaItA|N "a ANkifA TtNtftNRAn w NN tAE-
pointed by the N!ce-Presidont 10 repre-
sent the Senate.
Mr. Culloms resolution. introduced yes
terlay. calling on The Secretary OF the
Treasury for information relative to in
tcruaI revenue taxes on distilled spirits,
was agreed 10.
MASON'S REMARKS. y
This cleared the way for very breezy
speech from the new Senator from ILL
rois. Nr Mason. which aroused two out
bursts from the galleries. 1t occurrei
on the resolution of Mr.. Mason, intro
ouccl yesterday. directing the Committee
Oh Rules to report q rule providing for
The closing of debate and for The pgeYi-
Gus question. He said ne desired TO
have The resolution 80 to the Committee
or Rules but he gave notice that unless
some report was fOrthcOming at an early
day he would move TO have the com
mlttee discharged. so that the resolution
could De brought before the Senate. Ii
was agreed on all hands proceeded the
Senator. with "a Vein OF sarcasm. that the
United states Senate is a great body.
That was the view particularly Of those
within the body, and on the payroll But
every one knew. also. that IL was the
only legislative body in existence incapa-
Die Of doing business.
0r Mason said he hoped ne would be
forefven for these reilecS ions. Tor ne
was still in the kindergarten class and
he recognized that he was threshing over
old straw: but he proposed 10 keep thresh-
ing over this old straw during his six
years I'm the Senate.
THE TARIFF BILL
Mr.. Mason referred 10 the proposed
tariff debate The bill would be before
the Senate soon. 1t remedied an act
which promised tariff for revenue"
and gave a "taTiG FOR deficiency It
was now proposed to give protection to
American industries. and 10 the Ameri-
can laborng man, and yet The business
interests of the country were trembling
on the verge Of "despondency and Democ-
racy." because they knew the fate of the
bill depended. not on the majority, but
on the minority. Every one knows. he
declared, that while we profess TO be
a government by the people when we
reach the highest body in The government
there is a rule Of the minority Mr.. Ma
son glanced around the chamber, and
said be observed the smile on the faces
of some of HIS colleagues. They all liked
power. ana as soon as a man entered
these Senate doors his energies were d.
rected 10 retaining power I'm me old way.
Il want 10 deliver a message from the
people before this hove Of power possesses
me" exclaimed the Senator, and the
galleries gave a response by hearty APP
p.ause. -
SENATE PARALYSIS.
Mr.. Mason spoke Of the paralysis in
the Senate on an great questions. Here
az the close Of the nineteenth century
the great question was presented whether
international differences were to be set
tied by arbitration or by the methods Of
Fltzsimmons and Corbett. The Senate
had listened 10 speeches. but in this as
in all other questions, there was no ac-
ton. The Senator from Alabama tMr.
Alorgan) had presented a resolution as
10 Cuba. involving the great Cuban Ques-
ton. handed down TO us by Grover H.,
but where was that resolution? 1t was
impossible TO tear down the golden god
of the Senate rules in order TO act on
Cuba. The majority was ready to act
but was held back by the minority in
control. IL was time TO do away with
these barnacle rules.
Il would not scuttle the old ship" ex-
claimed the Senator, vigorously. but /
would Ike TO put her In dry-dock long
enough 10 have her bottom scraped.'
Air. Hoar spoke briefly, pointing out
that the other branch Of Congress was
more open TO criticism than the Senate.
lie was in accord with Mr. Mason, how
ever on the need or new rules.
Mr.. German Democrat, of Maryland,