The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-03-06
CLOTURE RULE.
Resolutions Providing For 1t In
Senate Goes to Committee.


Washington. March 6.-Again today
when the senate convened the galleries
were packed with people. a majority of
whom. as on recent days, being com
posed of visitors to the city. The ex-
ecutive gallery was ablaze with blue
gold cord and epaulettes. the visitors be-
ing members Of the staff Of Governor
Yates of Illinois.
Promptly at noon Vice President
Roosevelt entered the chamber. AS he
stepped forward to his desk 10 call the
senate to order a burst of spontaneous
applause rang through the galleries.
approval the vice president seized his
gavel and raped sharply twice for
order. CHANGING ste1nly around the gal
leries he said, and the words cut through
the chamber like a knife:
If there is any applause or disorder.
the sergeant-at-arrns viii clear the gall
leries'
The chaplain IN his invocation referred
with deep pathos to the sorrow which
has fallen upon the junior senator from
Alabama (Nr. Pettus) and his wife in
the death of their only son.
Mr. Piatt Comm then called up the
amendment to the rules of which he
gave notice yesterday, relating to the
limitation of debate
After the amendment was read Mr..
Teller (Colo.) inquired Of Mr. Platt
upon the amen dment at the present ex-
traordinary session.
Mr. Platt replied that he did not de-
sire to discuss the proposed amendment
at this time. He desired to have the
amendment referred to the committee on
rules, but he doubted very much whether
the committee ON rules could consider
it SO fully as to enable the senate to
take action upon it at this session He
had felt, he said. that the senate ought
to change its rules, and he had thought
the proper time to introduce his prOpO-
sition was at The beginning of a new
session of congress
He added that he would be glad to
have action upon the amendment at this
session, but he did not suppose it could
be had. He desired that the amend
ment be referred to the committee on
rules in order that the committee might
have opportunity to consider it during
the recess
T hope" he said in conclusion, that
some fair amendment to the rules may
be devised by which there can be a rea-
sonable mot an unreasonable limit
placed on debate"
Mr. Teller said he had no desire enter
objection to the reference Of the amend
ment to the committee on rules. That
was the proper place for it. He inquired
however whether there was any expec-
tation on the part of the majority TO do
anything more during the present ses-
sion that executive business
Pending an answer to that question
Vice President Roosevelt announced in
a low but distinct tone that the pro-
posed amendment would be referred in
absence OF objection to the committee on
rules.
Responding to the inquiry of Mr..
Teller. Mr.. Hale (A1e), disclainling any
attempt to speak for anybody except
himself said the extraordinary session
had been called for the transaction Of
purely executive business. He did not
suppose the senate would be kept in SeS-
ein Ia or. no
consider any other subjects than purely
executive business.
Mr.. Teller submitted some brief COM
ments upon ~the transaction of business
at extraordinary sessions OF the senate,
holding that the body had a perfect !
right in accordance with precedents "a
do anything it could in regular session
Mr. Platt speaking. he said. for him
self only, expressed the opinion that it
would not be wise TO enter upon the
transaction Of general legislative bust
ness at this extraordinary session. 1t
would not be the part Of wisdom to do
much more than executive business
Mr.. Morgan CAla.) urged that the rules
be observed, and that the regular order
of business Of the senate as laid down |
in the rules be observed. He had sub |
which he desired action and an oppor- !
tunity to submit some remarks The |
resolution to which he referred was one !
declaring the Clayton-Bul treaty /
abrogated.
After the routine of morning business
had been transacted Mr.. Morgan ad- /
dressed the senate upon his resolution. |
He said he would exclude from his ar /
gument any consideration of the Pan
anna canal commission. The only pros
Dect of the construction of the Mica
ragua canal now by the United States
rested upon the protocols which had /
been entered into between this country
and the governments of Nicaragua and
Costa Rica.