The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-03

give him instructions. and all the in. for Of against sa propcsition, that he
 could have talked three minutes to save
 his life without his neighbor asking him
 some question to stiff him up.
 Now, so long as 1t looked lice we
 would get through with this debate
 within reasonable period,I for cfse
 was in favor of allowing every gentle
 man to exhibit to the fullest extent his
 great ability for flights of ina gina ton
 and oratory. but the hour is coming
 when not only the members of the Con-
 vention, but the people of the State,
 will become restless under the delays
 and procrastinations of this Convsn-
 ton. and 1t seems to me that it would
 be better to adopt the i've minute rule,
 and if we do find some gentleman speaking that is so pregnant with
 thought that he cannot deliever him. self within that time. we can ask
 unanimous consent to hear him for q longer period. | am afraid that mixht
 break the hearts of some of our orators. however.
 Mir. Pettus--lt seems to me that this is rather an afiomolots procedure. for deliberative body to adopt such q stringent rule for cutting of debate. 1 believe that one of the chief objects TOT assembling together of the aeiesates and representatives of the people iD this. convention, was for the purpose Of deliberatfon, in order that they night
 discuss these great questions that come up some of the most important of
 which have come before the convefi- ton by amendments offered to different
 propositions by different delegates. sfid
 it seems to me that it Is very improper
 for this body to adopt rule at this
 time which will limit delegates 70 ten
 minutes debate t1pon amendments, ex-
 cept by-tinanirnous consent, which in
 hot weather is very difficult to obtain.
 when the temper of delegates are not as calm and serene as they would be on the snowy heights of Monte Sario. We have already in the rules of this Convention, 6 limit on debate. and q limitation on the number of speeches. Rule fourten. on page six. limits speeches to thirty minutes, and 1t seems to me that thirty minutes even is q short time in which to discuss the pros and cons of any great constitu- tiohal question. The action of this body is final. 1t Is not like General Assembly, when the House can force under its elnture rule measure through the lower house. and then, If it Is found that they have fnade l mis- take. the friends of the bill in the House can go before the Senate Com mittee and have 1t side-tracked, or if 1t gets through the senate, members of the Senate seeing they have made mistake, can go to the0ovefnor and get him to hold it up. The action of this Convention is final, and think 1t would be very unwse to adopt iule that IS going to bind Us down and limit debate on amendments on any important question to i've or ten minutes. Within the last two or three weeks we have seen some remarkable instances Of the change of sentiment in this Convention brought about by unlimited debate.
 Now as the matter stards at this time, under the rules of this Coi1ven- tion, Q majority of the delegates pre- sent, at any time. can cut off deoate absolutely, under call for the prcvi- ous question, or motion to lay Un the table, which has precedence over any other motion, except q motion 10 ad- toutn. I am willing to see the debate cut off at any time when a majority of the delegates upon this floor say that they have made up :helr minds upon subject. and that they are ready to vote, and they are tired of hearing the question discussed; but until tie time comes when a majority of the delegates are satisfied that the Ques- tion has been sufficiently discussed. and sufficiently argued, am opposed to being put in the power of any single delegate, by objection, on a hot July day, to cut of debate ana force the Convention to premature action on any of these questions.
 Now it mas been said that the people are restless, and that this Convention is getting restless. but 1 do not care how restless they may become. or how restless certain members of the Con ventlon and certain people may get to be, do not believe 1t is right or wise or patriotic for any rule to be adopted in this Convention, by which measures may be railroaded through, or by which wise, just and equitable amendments, offered to any proposition, may De side tracked and lald on the table. and kill ed without full. tair and free deoate. 1 see, MT. President, that the sentiment of the convention is in favor of cutting of depate on these propositions, aha I s.mpiy rise to go on rerUfd here as rais- lH6 my NOiSS HI plOtSob against any such procedure.
 1 believe that the rules as they are, have gone too far in cutting off debate in body or this character. from which there Is no appeal and where the action of the body is final. l believe that under the previous question. and under motion to lay on the tabie. we put 1t in the power of the majority of the delegates to cut of debate at any time. and that we have gone far and that a step further will pc absolutely dangerous to the liberties and to the rights of the people of this state, and l protest against this action )f the Convention.
 Mir. kogers (Sumter)--1 move the adoption of the amendment of the gentleman from Dale, ana i move the previous question, upon the original section and the amendment.
 Mir. Jones (Montgomery)-Do the Chair recognize the gentleman. from Sumter. There were several of us up.
 The President-The gentleman from Sumter Is small and active, and ! think got to his feet little before the other gentlemen. The Chair recogniz- ed him at any rate.
 MT. Rogers (Sum.er)-I move the adoption of the amendment of the gentleman from Dale. in connection with the original section, as reported Jy the Committed.
 The main question was ordered.
 MT. Sollie-Mr. President, 1 do not 1aow that have a very great deal to 'Ry by way of closing the argument ipon this amendment Az the Ounor-