The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-22
SENATE RULES ATTACKED.
Mason or Illinois wants 70 Change Then %
That the Majority Can DO Business.

WASHINGTON. April 21.-The monotony Of the
Senate was interrupted to-day by an attack
upon its rules made by Mr.. Mason tRcp., ILL.,.
He had offered q resolution yesterday for an
amendment Of the rules SO as to provide for
limitation of debate and for ordering the pre-
vious question. When it was taken up to-day
he made his maiden speech.
The Senate, he said, instead of being the great
assembly which Senators imagined it to be. was
practically the only legislative body in the coun.
try where the minority, not the majority, trans.
acted the public business. Referring to the
Tariff bill as a measure in which the majority
will have to yield to the minority, he said that
the business interests Of the country were in
doubt and trembling on the very verge of
dependency and Democracy. The Arbitration
Treaty he gave as another illustration. The
Senate was in the same condition on that great
question as 1t was on all other questions, the
minority deciding whether the treaty should be
ratified or not. The Cuban matter, handed
down from Grover the second to the last and to
this Congress-" was another instance OF the
same kind.
der is committed on our very doorsteps, and we
look each other In the face and say. Am I my
brothers eT t keeper = The ,,a Senator from Alabama 2
MIXING beIligerent rights in Cuba; but whatever
the majority. controls the action OF this body.
/ have offered my resolution in good faith, SO as
+ you'd San s' not ssatt tG q the 81 Ship fa' b snei i would 1Hin Ike to
bottom scraped. so that she can sail and transact
In favor of the change. Individually they are
all for i, Let us see how they are collectively"
very little likelihood OF the Committee on Rules
acting soon, on the resolution, as its Chairman
1 GSsoa AldFiSh, o T1 he en Ta4is S SGy a I'D n sS6ts IN w dhs
some bitterness Of manner OF another parliament-
airy body referring to the House OF Representa-
tives, that took three days recesses In order to
gain time for its members to make attacks
upon the Senate for not attending to business.
Mr.. German Dem. Md moved to refer the
resolution to the Committee on Rules.
Mr.. Mason said that he preferred to have tho
resolution acted upon directly. and he demanded
the yeas and nays.
Mr.. Germans motion was agreed to-yeas. 80;
Nj. Hoar then moved to discharge the Com
mittee on Rules from two resolutions of his on
the same subject. offered on March 10 last. That
motion went over till tomorrow.
A petition OF merchants and commercial bodies
Of San Francisco against the abrogation OF the
1Rep., eal.t 1r snd o %ss IN fsSor Of G rs M abr psntins
by Mr.. Morrill, !Rep, VI M. Morgan's amend
msnt o. sP Pss4l har5Sr, f SaSeii, for %as the hsp impsGE fs-
yorably from the on Foreign Rela-
the Grant ceremonies In New York and to take
part in the exercises was accepted. on motion of
NJ str.i aaTiey REP, Conn: and u, a committee Z Z Of
occasion was ordered to be appointed by the
A Bill appropriating $3.50 1871 to reimburse
the heirs OF the late John Roach, the shipbuild.
er. for labor, material, &c. due 70 change of
R tion Of D fh sh sr Sissy ccSsIR ssFo. Boston, On .h sn SGn HtiaS:
ia, was fayorably reported to tho Senate and
placed on the calendar. This bill has been be;
either to pass the House or to receive the sigma
ture OF the President