The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-18

At the close Of the last Congress. sena-
tor Edward W Carmack. of Tennessee,
talked the ship subsidy bin TO death, and
ths fatality brought forth considerable
inquiry about the freedom of speech in
. the Senate which makes it possible 10
strange legislation in this manner. The
Senate rule of unlimited speech has been
in effect since 1906. While many impor
tant bills have been done TO death or ac-
a>-oount OF it. the three most important
measures killed in this way were the
Federal elections law, popularity known
as the force BILL. IN 1881; the rivers and
har5ors bill carrying about 100000 APP
preparations for waterways in 1901. and the
ship-subsidy bill a few weeks ago.
These things are made possible because
of the fact that the rules Of the Senate
provide no way to force an issue 10 a vote
If there is any one who cares to discuss
1t further. Agreements to come to vote
In the Senate are made by unanimous con-
sent. The late Senator George Frisbie
HoaT. OF Massachusetts, discussing the
United States Senate. said in published
article In 1895; I'm this assembly speech
IS absolutely unfettered. This is Of im-
mense Importance not only TO the perfec-
ton OF legislation, but also 20 the dignity
OF the Senate. and. in my opinion, 10 civil
liberty Itself" Within Il month after that
statement appeared he was leading the
fight for rule to cut of debate.
. When the Senate was first organized
there was rule concerning the call of the
previous question which might. in time.
have been construed to furnish brake
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have been as they are now. Efforts TO
''clotuTe" rule have been made
from time to time, but as the minority
can discuss its adoption for two years If
necessary. Il is hardly possible that any
change ever will be made. The last ap-
pearance Of a cloture rule was on the day
Theodore Roosevelt was indicted into
the office Of Vice President and was pre-
siding over the extra session Of the Sen
ate. Senator Plat. of Connecticut, arose
and offered X. he frankly said he didn't
believe 1t would pass. and it didn't 1t
hasn't showed since.
The force bin fight was memorable
one Senator Hoar, Its chief advocate,
described 1t as the last great outbreak of
anger which spread throughout the Amer
= lean people Senator Hoar, Senator
Lodge. then a Representative from Massa-
chusetts, and Senator SpOoner prepared
the bill It provided for universal regis
tration for Congressional elections and
under certain circumstances. for Federal
supervision thereof
In 1883 the Republicans came into undis-
.puted control Of the government for the
first time IN sixteen years. as since 1873
the Democrats had had a majority in
for for1r
years had had the President. Harrison
in the White House. and he wanted
the Federal elections law passed. II was
not taken up by the Senate al the Ions
session. but by special order was taken
I'D on The first day Of the short session, IN
sa)ecember. 1880, a month after the election,
which had again swept the Republicans
from power and placed the Democrats IN
control Of the House By an enormous ma
jority The new Congress, of course. did
not come in until after the fourth OF
March, and the Senate Republican leaders
were determined TO pass the election law,
The Democrats were equally determined
that 1t should not pass.
Several Republicans from the far West
especially some of those who were firm
believers in free silver. took little heart
I'm the party programme. The Democrats
made love to these Westerners in every
possible way and finally won over a SUI
fclent' number to insure the defeat Of the
bill 1t never came to a vote but on
January IS after fight of seven weeks,
during which time the Senate was ire
quently In continuous session Tor days
and nights at time the elections bill
was. laid aside TO take up the appropria-
lions. II never appeared again. Before
his death Senator HOar who was bit
terly disappointed at the time, admitted
that it was better so.
The fight brought the whole nation 10
a white heat Preparations were being
made for the World Fair at Chicago. 10
celebrate the 4O0th anniversary of the dis
yfcovery Of America. The legislatures OF
Tennessee. Arkansas. and Alabama de
clared they would withdraw their appro-
priations for the fair If Illinois Senators
voted for the bin. Missouri legislators
threatened to do likewise. The newspa-
pers fought Ike Kilkenny cats, and al
America was angry.
During the three weeks of this fight
when the Senate was in session practi,
caUv twenty-four hours a day, the Demo
cratic minority established a system OF
AeIght-hour shifts. One-third of the Demo
Gratis were on duty from o'clock IN thc
forenoon until in the afternoon, another
third from that time until midnight, anC
the others from midnight until mex
morning
When one Of the speakers would tire
Senator Blackburn or Senator German
would suggest The absence of a quorum
While the clerk called the roll over ant
over again the Sergeant-at-arms and hi
assistants would be seurrying all Owe
Washington In the dead of night 10 brinl
the missing Senators TO the chamber
The Republicans were forced to keep tbs
quorum. because the Democrats were will
ing that the time should be consumed
By the endless roH-calling The majorit,
was thus forced to work as hard as th'
firbustering minority, and the whole Sen
ate was miserable all the time
At one time Senators Eustis, Of Louisi
Jana, and Voorhees,, of Indiana, two Demo
Gratis. were brought into the chamber OF
stretchers from their sick beds, that tn
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