The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-03-18

leagues.
The accession of Mr.. German to the
post of active minority leadership was
the more gladly hailed by Democratic
Senators. for the reason that, at the
very time of his election, the odious
Force Bill" which was source of so
much anxiety and fearful apprehen-
sion on the part of the Southern Dem
ocrats. had passed the House under
Speaker Reeds dictatorship, and was
hanging like a cloud over the DELHI
erations of the Senate, in which the
Republicans had n clear majority OF
eleven votes. in this great emergency
the Democratic minority placed es-
pecial reliance upon their resourceful
leader. whose mettle had already been
tried and whose skill as a parliament
tartan was recognized on both sides
of the Chamber.
DEFEAT OF HE FORCE BILL.
The Republicans introduced two dis
tinctive party measures into the
Fifty-tirst Congress-the Mckinley
Tariff Bill and the Lodge Election
Law, commonly known as the Force
Bill Both had, at the start, the solid
support OF their party organization
and both were put through the House
under the Reed Rules" at the first
session. without the formality of de-
bate or delibera-e consideration. The
Mckinley Bsi "lJo passed the Senate
near the end of the first session, on
September 10, 1890. after a protracted
debate. in which Mr.. German took an
active and strongly antagonistic posi-
ton 1t passed by q strict party vote,
having eleven ma jority. Its compan-
ion measure, the Force Bill, was al
lowed 10 90 over TO the second ses-
sion. because the Democrats threat
ened to fight i; TO the bitter end, and
the Republicans were compelled to
take recess for the fall campaign.
When the second session came to-
gcther. in December. 1880. the Repub-
leans OF the Senate received re-
ne1vrd partisan impulse to stand to-
gether and drive il through as a party
measure from two sources. first, from
the uufavorahlc trend shown by the
fall elections. and. second. by a vigor-
Gus advocacy OF its early passage in
the message OF President Harrison.
Accordingly. the measure was taken
up on the first day Of the session. all
other things being put aside. and
pressed with all the energy and par
iamentary skill known to The skillful
parlismentarians 81 the majority of
the senate The Mckinley Bill had
received eleven ma jority a few months
earlier. and the advocates OF the
Force Hiil calculated hat its compan-
ion measure would have the same
backing. IL IL could bc brought To a
vote This was probably true.
senator Hoar, one Of the most ac-
comphshcd parliamentarjans Of the
Senate. was ia charge Of the bill, and
he had for his active aids aud con
slant cuad tutors. Mr.. Aldrich, Mr. Ed
munds. aud all the most skillful law
yers and managers OF the majority
Against this compact. aggressive and
determined force stood the solid Dem
ocrstic strength Of the Senate, re-
solved "a iight 20 the bitter end They
wcrr helpless ia their weakness. II the
question came 90 an early vote, and IL
looked 20 the whole country. and to
many ~ the minority Senators them
selycs, that they were leading an ut
terry forlorn hope. Their only hope
Law in their Sfaving of a vote hy 3
skillfui use OF the liberal rules OF the
senate. and Of the general principles
OF parliamentary law, until a change
in the sentiment Of the country might
break the solidity Of the Republican
column.
Thus was the alignment drawn for
one Of the greatest parliamentary
battles ever known. The contest was
an unequal one. otherwise than in
numbers for, although the Democratic
minority poSSsSs~i fine array u ora
tori~ai and debating talent, the Re
puhIiranS had the decided advantage
in parliamentary experience and skill.
The Democrats relied largely, in fact,
almost exclusively. in the matter of
tactical skill, upon their strong. yigi-
liant and wrli-hainncrd leader, or.
as Senator Bayard had expressed
H. "the quiet. self sustaining and self
sustained man whom Maryla has
given 70 the Union" Mr., German was
the equal in parliamentary and tao
tical skill 81 any man on the Repub-
lean side and. as the result showed.
the superior OF them all.
The greatest inspiration Of the mi
nority during the seven long weeks
Of the bitter and eNhausting struggle.
was the serene and perfect confidence
OF their leader who never for mo-
meHt entertained the idea OF defeat.
This splendid spirit Of confident ag-
grreSsiyencSs was remarked upon by
all, and. communicating itself TO the
whole minority, added much 10 their
esprit dc corps. IL also seemed to
perpleN and coufound the majority,
and had its effect upon the observant
country Democratic Senators. inter
pretiug the Force Bill as a measure
- 49,, 4
reorganization Of negro domination
in the South, put their whole souls
into the contest. and. realizing the ne
cessity Of perfect discipline to accom-
pIish their ends conceded much to the
discretion and Judgment of their aP-
pointed leader.
Rarely has n parliamentary leader
been invested with such complete
command as was Senator German
during the memorable battle Old en-
ployees Of the Senate relate incidents
OF leading and distinguished Southern
Senators applying 10 the chairman of
the Minority Conference TO know If it
was advisable for them TO go down to
the restaurant on the floor below for
lunch, and reporting whenever they
temporarily withdrew from the Cham
her, where they might be found in an
. emergency.
The first test Of strength came on
the first day OF the session. December
3. 1890. on Mr. Hoar's motion TO take
up the bill for consideration. which
was adopted by vote of II to 30,
showing the Republican party
strength Had the final vote been
taken on that day. the bill would I'M
doubtedly have been passed by the same
ma ioritv The final test came on Jan
uary GO. 1891. when Mr.. Wolcott, of
Colorado. asked Mr.. Morgan to yield
the floor in order that he might move