New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-22
SENATE DIGNITY SHOCKED.
BILLY" MASON IRREvERENTLY At
TACKS ITS TRADITIONS.
HE INTRODUCES CLOSURE RESOLUTION AND
SUPPORTS 1T IN BREEZY AND
HUdoHoUs SPECIE

SUPPORTS 1T IN BREEZY AND
HUMOROUS SPEECH
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
Washington. April Ex-senator Mason Of Illinois.
one OF the most energetic and aggressive OF the
newcomers on the Republican side in the Senate,
took a turn to-day at reforming the Siur'an
code Of rules under which the deliberative branch
OF Congress transacts business. Mr.. Mason fol-
lowed the usual course marked out by those who
seek at intervals to modernize the Senate's prac-
tice, and introduced resolution directing the
Committee Rules 10 bring In an amendment
providing for the closing OF debate and the ordering
of the previous question. In his breezy and humor-
osis way the Illinois Senator attacked the parlia-
mentary system IN vogue in the delibsative orancn
as government by the minority" and declared
that its sole prop the desire OF each Individual
Senator to maintain and extend his personal power
and influence without regard to the public interest
Any just and orderly progress with legislation was
made impossible under the existing test-of-endur-
ance' scheme OF parliamentary law. and AS a re-
suit measures Of the first Importance were talked
to death year after year in the Senate.
Mr. Masons remarks led 10 a rejoinder half
sympathetic. half critical from MI Hoar, VINO
also favors the adoption of closure and tho pre-
vious question In a modified form. Finally MI
German moved that Mr.. Mason's resolution be
referred to the Committee on Rules and on that
motion a call OF the Senate was had. Mr. German
won the day, with 80 votes against a. The division
in the main party lines Two Democrats
Messrs Mills and Vest sided with Mr. Mason. On
the other hand. four Republicans. Messrs. Hawley,
Mcmillan. Sewall and Quay voted with the Demo
Gratis Populists and Silveres 10 sdetrack the pre-
vious question scheme by referring IL 10 the Rules
Committee. Mr.. Mason made a good showing
however. securing the highest number of votes
polled in the Seante on the Issue OF changing
the present rules
THE SENATE'S VIEW OF ITSELF.
II was Mr. Mason's first speech in the Senate
and he followed with great interest He SAID
he desired have the resolution go TO the Commit
tee on Rules but he gave notice that unless some
report forthcoming at an early day he woulo
move to have the committee discharged so that the
resolution could be brought before the Senate. II
was agreed on all hands. he proceeded with vein
Of sarcasm. that the United States Senate Is a
great body That the view particularly OF
those within the body and on the payroll But
every knew also that 1t was the only legisia-
tive body In existence incapable OF doing business
He hoped he would be forgiven for these rehec-
tons for he was still in the kindergarten class,
and he recognized that he was rhreshing over old
straw But he proposed to keep threshins over this
old straw during his six years in the Senate
Mr. Mason referred to the approaching tariff de-
bate The bill would be before the Senate soon IL
remedied an act which promised a "tarih for rev.
enue" and gave a tariff for deficiency" 1t was
now proposed to give protection to American In
dustries and 10 the American laboring man. Ana
yet the business interests were trembling on the
verge OF "despondency and Democracy because
they knew the fate Of the bill depended not on the
majority, but the minority. Every one knew
he declared. that while this country profeSsed TO
have a government by the people when the high
est body In the Government was reached there was
a rule of tho minority. Mr.. Mason glanced around
the cha mber and said ne observed the smile on the
faces OF some OF his colleagues. They all liked
power and as soon as entered these Senate
doors his energies were directed TO retaining power
in the old way. II want 10 deliver message iloHi
the people before that hope OF power possesses
me-" he exclaimed. and the galleries gave response
by hearty applause
Mr. Mason spoke OF the paralysis OF the business
in the Senate on all great questions. Here at the
close Of the nineteenth century the great question
was presented whether international differences
we're 10 be settled by arbitration or by the methods
Of Fi,zsimmons and Corbett. The Senate had
listened TO speeches. but on this. as on all other
questions. there was action. The Senator from
Aabara (Mr. Morgan) had presented resolution
to Cuba involving the great cuban , question
that resolution? II was impossible to tear down
the golden god Of the rules IN order 10 fff
OF insurgents in this body: majority was ready
to act, but held back by the minority IN con
troll 1t was time to do away with these barnacle
rules. Il would not scutte the ola snip; ex-
put her in drydock long enough to have her bottom
scraped." There another round OF applause
Mr.. Mason concluded
REPLY FROM Mr.. HOAR.
Mr. HOar (Rep., MaSSD, one OF inc veterans Vi inc
Senate. replied briefly to Mr. Mason. He pointed
ont that little could be expected from the Commit
tee on Rules as several Of the members were en-
gagged on the Tariff bill and other work He was In
accord with much that the Illinois Senator had said
as 10 the need OF action. but he differed from him
on some OF the criticisms agains: the Senate. He
reminded the Senator that 1t was understood that
the Tariff bill had not been read by the body
cuesed here If il was to be discussed at all. He
referred also to that other legislative oody Whlch
snS which noi Adjourned for three days at time in
order to permit members 70 prepare attacks on the
Mr.. Mason called attention to the fact that the
Speaker of the legislative body referred to was
distinguish ed ew-Engiand neighbor Of the Sena-
tor from Massachusetts. He caused some amuse-
by SGSsy n s ehs who might need
in he suggeso however and
Withdrew his motion 70 refer the fesO nTdS refer
~, Mr. % ne R RG 10 re'e
Mr. Mason protested, saying that the Committee mite.
graveyard, to which are committed the bodies OF
deceased measures"
re fne a aOti MT Prevailed vailed 3 to a. follows
Yeas-Messrs. Allen, Bacon, Baker Bate, Berry
Harris Wanl, Hawiey, Heltfeld Jones ,,! (AFk3
Lindsay MMa e3;us & RaWns
Roach: sewen. Smith. Tillman. Turpie ana Walt
N.ys-Messrs Burrows. Chandler, Clark cullon-
Davis Fairbanks. Foraker. Frye. Gear Hans
6SS%sh 9o HGar P2cSad soooee Turner
Iesf Warren Wellington and Wison-A
Mr. Hoar followed with a motion discharging
the Committee Rules from further consideration
The revision OF the Senate Rules. $50
Mr. German asked that the subject go over until
Tomorrow and this arrangement was made.
Most Of the day given 10 the bankruptcy
hill The vote the substitute and amencments
III ha taken at 3 D. m. Tomorrow II was agreed
tbat committee OF fifteen Senator'S should repre-
sent the Senate at the coming Grant memorial
ceremonies.
AGAINST THE RETROACTIVE CLAUSE.