The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-03-08
THE NATION IL SENATE
A Lively Debate Preoipitated by an
Attempt TO Amend It's Rules.

Washington, March 5.-Quite unex-
pectedly a lively debate was precipita-
ted today at the first business session
Of the enate of the Fifty-Seventh
congress. Senator Platt, Of Connecti-
cut, offered an amendment to the rules
to limit debate in the senate. Its pro-
ponent had no purpose Of provoking
discussion upon it today. but several
senators expressed their views in no
uncertain terms. Senator Mason, Of
Illinois. thought 1t did not go far
enough, and gave notice of an amend
men under which, he said. the major
ity would not be under the control of
the minority. Senators Wellington, of
Maryland, and Bacon, of Georgia, de-
nounced the effort to change the rules
the right of the n to consider the
proposition at this session
Many Of the new senators were re-
cipients of beautiful floral offerings
from their friends, several of the pieces
on the democratic side Of the chamber
being particularly table. Mr.. Sim
mons, of North Carolina, was among
the rec. pients.
Former Senate PETER, Of Kansas,
was On the floor during the early part
of the session and was cordially receiv-
ed by his former colleagues.
TodayS session of the senate was
practically the first of the Fifty-sev-
enth congress-, that of yesterday being
brief and routine in haracte An inn
mense throng crowded the galleries.
Wee President RooSevelt'S ppear-
annQ aVnkpd a great yVaN-Q nf QnnlanSp
from the galleries. After the reading
of the journal the vice president ad-
ministered the oath of office to Mr..
Nelson, of Minnesota, and MIR. McLaur-
in. of Mississippi.
Senator Allison and Cockerell were
tee to notify the president hat a
quorum of the senate was in session
n ready to receive IN message.
Senator Platt, of Connecticut, gave
notice of an amendment to the senate
rules. to limit debate upon any bill or
resolution to reasonable limits" to
enable the majority to do business in
the sente.
Senator Mason, gave notice of an
amendment he proposed to offer to the
amendment of Mr.. Plat. He insisted
that the time should be liked in the
rule for the limiting of debate. The
senate, he said, was the only legisla-
tive body in the world in which the
majority was controlled by the minor
ity.
Mr.. Bacon, of Georgia. utterly disap-
proved of the proposed change in the
rules and declared his purpose of doing
everything in his power to defeat the
amendment. The methods pursued
now by the senate. in his opinion, We're
the best possible. They permitted full
time for the discussion and Gamma
ton Of every measure presented.
AS to the proposition of Mr.. Mason to
adopt a modification of the Reed rules,
he asserted hat the houSe of repreSen-
tatiVeS, operating under those rules,
did not deliberate upon any legislation.
1t merely suggested legislation which
came to the senate in crude form, and
by it had to be put in proper Legislative
shape. He warned the senate that If
the proposed rules were adopted, it
soon would go the whole length and the
spectacle would be presented of a con-
gress, not only the house. but the sem
ate, also, dominated by one or W. men.
MIR. Wellington. of Maryland, chal-
ienged the propriety of the preSenta-
ton of such a proposition at an extra
ordinary session. Referring to the de-
feat Of the river and harbor bill, he de-
clared this proposed rule is offered as
a means of
nato Platt retorted that he was
not in favor of the passage Of the river
and harbor measure.
Senator Wellington replied that,
while he was arguing against the
liver and harbor bill. he was theat-
med unless he ceased his opposition
that a clOture rule would be presented
and its adoption insisted upon. Il bow
he said, ito no party and to no man
when my conscience tells me hat a
measure lis wrong"
Mr.. Allison then reported that the
committee had called upon the presi-
dent and conveyed to him the senate's
resolution and that the president had
indicated his purpose to communicate
Immediately with the body.
Major Pruden. the assistant secretary
to the president, presented at once a
message from him.
After Mr.. Morgan had offered a reso-
luton declaring the CFayton-Bulwer
treaty between the United States and
Great Britain ~abrogated the senate
went into executive session and at 1:45
p. m adjourned.