The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-06
Illinois Man Shocks Senatorial Cour-
tcsy by Actually Proposing to Per-
nit the Majority to Rule.
HE WOULD CURTAIL DEBATE
BY ADOPTING A MODIFICATION OF
"CZAR" REEDS RULES.
Senator Morgan Offers n Resolution
Declaring the CIayton-BuIwer
Treaty AbrOgated.


WASHINGTON, March 5.-Quite unex-
pectedly lively debate was precipitated
to-day al the first business session of the
Senate Of the Forty-seventh Congress. Mr..
Platt. of Connecticut. offered amend
ment to the rules to limit debate in the
Senate. Its proponent had no purpose TO
provoke discussion upon it to-day, but sew
eral senators expressed their views in no
uncertain terms. Senator Mason, of Illi-
nois, thought it did not go far enough, and
gave notice of an amendment under which,
he said. the majority would not be under
control of the minority. Senator'S Yelling
ton. of Maryland. and Bacon, of Georgia,
denounced the effort to change the rules as
unseemly, the former challenging the right
of the Senate to consider the proposition at
this session. Many of the new senators
were recipients of beautiful floral offerings
from their friends, several of the pieces on
the Democratic side of the chamber being
particularly notable.
Former Senator PETER, of Kansas, was
on the floor during the early part of the
session and was cordially received by his
former colleagues
An immense throng crowded the galleries,
all anxious TO witness the proceedings.
Vice President Roosevelt was the particu-
lar magnet which attracted the crowds to
the galleries. although the desire to see the
opening exercises of the new Senate was
also special attraction. particularly to the
visitors from out of the city. AS the golden
hands of the ornamental clock opposite TO
the presidents desk indicated the hour of
noon Vice President Roosevelt stepped
briskly from the lobby through the right
door of the chamber to his desk. Recog-
nized instantly by the assembled crowds,
he was greeted with wave of applause
The venerable blind chaplain pronounced
a brief but feeling invocation. AS the Vice
President ascended to his desk, another
great wave of applause swept over the gal
leries. Then, with single sharp tap of the
gavel, he called the Senate TO order
ROOSEVELTS FIRST RULING
AS soon as the reading of the journal had
begun Mr.. Money asked that it be sus-
pended that he might present his colleague.
Mr.. McLaurin, to take the oath of office.
Mr.. Morgan objected and insisted that the
reading should proceed Mr. Money urged
that the proposition he made was a matter
of the highest privilege.
President. that the reading of the journal
takes precedence over all other Matters
AT the conclusion of the reading of the
journal Mr.. McLaurin. of Mississippi, and
Mr.. Nelson, of Minnesota, were sworn in.
Mr.. Platt, of Connecticut, gave notice of
an amendment to the Senate rules which he
proposed to offer tomorrow The PROPOSE
ton Is one TO limit debate upon any bill or
resolution to reasonable limits" in order
that the majority of the body may be able
to do business in the Senate.
Mr.. Cockrell suggested in spirit of face
tiousness that the reasons for the adoption
of the proposed rule had ceased to exist in
the Senate. and. therefore, it was not
necessary now to adopt it, This statement
caused a ripple of laughter in the Senate.
They will arise again. remarked Mr..
Platt.
Mr.. Mason. who since his advent to the
Senate four years ago has been insistent
that the rules of the body be changed SO as
to enable the majority to transact the busi
ness of the Senate, gave notice of an
amendment he proposed to offer to the
amendment of Mr.. Platt. He insisted that
the time should be fixed in the rule foe the
limiting of debate. What is a reasonable
time" he declared, was question that
would be discussed for twelve months in
the Senate, which he said is the only legis-
lative body in the world in which the ma
jority is controlled by the minority. Re-
ferring 10 the defeat of the river and har-
bor bill in the closing hours of THE session
just expired he declared that the majority
was as helpless to prevent the defeat of
the measure as was the Legislature of Kan
sas. The amendment he would promise be
said, was a modification of the Reed rules
OF the House of Representatives. He said
his amendment would enable the opposition
to any measure to have ample time for its
discussion. but limited the time of debate
to proper length.
BACON'S WARMING
Mr.. Bacon utterly disapproved of the pro-
posed change in the rules and declared his
purpose TO do everything in his power TO
deieat the amendment. The methods DUR
sued now by the Senate permitted fun time
for the discussion and examination of every
measure presented. He asserted that the
House of Representatives operating under
the Reed rules, did not deliberate on anv
legislation. IL merely suggested legislation.
which came to the Senate in crude form
and by 1t had TO be put in proper legislative
shape. He warned the Senate that IL the
proposed rule were adopted II soon would
go the whole length and the spectacle would
be presented Of a Congress I'm which not
only the House but the Senate would be
dominated by one or two men.
Mr.. Wellington challenged the propriety
OF the presentation OF such a proposition
as that OF Mr.. Platt at the extraordinary
session OF the Senate and declared his pur-
pose later to raise against IL a point of
order. Speaking OF the defeat OF the river