The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-14
Senator Platt's Nerve.

Senator Platt deserves credit for his
persistence in believing in the possibility
of amending the senate rules OF procedure
by taking from the minority the power to
hold up any legislation it pleases, by re-
sorting to filibustering tactics. s'
In 1901 the senator broached the sub
ject but his proposition was rejected with
Indignation. Platt's rule would permit
any senator to demand that debate be
closed. such demand not being debatable,
and pending it, no other motion except
one to adjourn could be made. If the
demand to close debate be seconded by a
majority of senators present, the question
must be taken thereon without debate,
and if it is decided to close debate on any
bill which has been discussed for rea-
sonable length Of time, the measure shall
take precedence Of all other business and
discussion limited to thirty minutes for
each senator, and no senator can speak
more than once. -
There is nothing very peremptory about
this proposition for cloture. Platts
proposition is the ninety ninth Of the kind
which has been made in the senate during
the past Iltty-llFe years.
The obstructive tactics used in the sem
ate during the last and in the extra ses-
sion to defeat the treaties demonstrate
to the public the necessity for cloture in
the senate. After some difficulty an
agreement has been reached to vote on
the Panama canaH treaty Tuesday, but
the Cuban reciprocity treaty is under the
of I, 1,ont on
of the western states and the cane sugar
planters of Louisiana, while the Protec-
tive Tariff Leagu is working to prevent
such a reduction Of the Dingley duties in
the senate. although the Dingley tariff
provides for 90 per cent reduction in the
reciprocity clause. The filibustering ele-
ment propose to make the treaty subject
to the approval Of the house, yielding to
the houses claim that any treaty affecting
the tariff schedules must be submitted
to the house.
Last December the senate and house
leaders had a meeting, at which it was
agreed that to meet the apparently con-
f1icting provisions of the constitution
(Section 2, Article ? and Section of
treaty and the house would originate a
bill carrying into effect the treaty's
revenue changing terms. This reported
agreement should have been carried out
and much valuable time would have beer
saved. If it is put in operation now, al
extra session of the fifty eighth con.
gress will have to be called, and the gov.
ernments reputa ton for fair dealing witt
. Cuba will be sadly impaired, as the Cubar
senate has ratified the treaty by the
necessary vote.
The whole trouble as to the outcome O.
legislation by the last congress is due tt
the opera tion Of the senate's code of pro
cedure, under which the public will ant
the governments will can be defled by
handful Of filibusterers. Unlimited debat
becomes a crime when a small miniorit,
can bring important public business to
standstill. Two men in the senate sue
ceeded In killing the important Philippine
tariff bill at the late session. and on
senator held up the Panama canal treat.
and compelled an extra session of til
senate against the public will. And thi
in the name of unlimited freedom of de
bate!