New-York tribune., 1908-06-01
END OF FILIBUSTER.
Senator Burkett Talks on Changes in
Senate Rules4

Washington May a.-To those who gave close
attention to the progress OF affairs in the Senate
during the flibuster which marked the closing days
Of the session. the change in the interpreta
ton Of The Senate rules was considered OF Ear
greater importance than the hlibuster Itself.
Senator Burkett. OF Nebraska, who gave close
attention to the parliamentary tactics employed hy
the ma ajority to bring the obstruction TO an end,
thus summarized to-day the changes which were
accomplished between II o'clock midnight and day
light yesterday morning:
First-The Vice President announced that II was
ut hi NJ the Is OF the Chair f9 e9qnt quorum
s. f b. By f vGts on get et
mined that the question OF no quorum could
the previous roilcaT had disclosed Quorum pres
BUSINESS bus .a ''At 'ess &0 l''' s''" i"'@'' sni's
Third rule Of the Senate which in practice
has lain ror sS m nyosd ProoOng hi
question than twice in any day.
These three interpretations Of the rules make it
absolutely Impossible prolong debate indefinitely
and thus make flibuster impossible where the end
Of the session is tndeterfnate, for they give no op
portunity FOR internnisson by speaker except by
yielding the floor. and after two such yieldings Of
the door under the rule. he will not be permitted
70 speak further that day. BY refusing to ad-
,ourn and thus continuing the same day until the
legislation shall be enacted il is only matter
time until any nlibustering contingent be sue
ceestuy out.
Commenting the effect OF these changes, Mr.
Burkett said:
The present Senate nIibuster ha. been productive
Of the greatest evolution in facilitating legislation
since IN. days Of the 61st Congress when Speaker
Thomas B. Reed announced in the House Of Rep
resentatves tst gentlemen In their seats could be
Seen as we'll as heard That announcement was
N. result Of flfbuster and after roll call
where the Democrats sat mute when their names
were called and thus disclosed by the roll call
the lack OF a quorum Until Speaker Reeds deci-
sion IL possible for the minority to compel the
present all the time 10 equal a quorum OF the
Eouse But Reed decided that, If q was pres
ert he was present. whether he was willing to
admit 81 or not and thereupon ne directed the clerk
the members present that ne saw, as Wen
as those that he heard.
The House Of Representatives through the tight
.nine 1p of its rules of limitation debate, has
made IN almost impossible defeat legislation by
hlibust.r They may. of course. delay It They
NAV cause great deal of annoyance, but they
cannot defeat st. -. -,
In the Senate. however, the traditions Of the
century have prevailed, and there has never been
the slightest hndrance TO free and fun debate
Tn. nreyioIls question has never been invoked nor
has q motion ever prevailed forcing vote before
an shall have spoken who may wish to DO so ms
sbsoI1Itev unlimited debate has always furnished
an onnortunfty for defeat OF legislation by the
prooes. Of hltbuster. and this process has been
When the conference report on the currency bill
came up for consideration some Senators under-
took 10 HIibuster against il by securing the moor
and thus preventing tts coming 10 vote. Senator
njcalty Of rule consume time He raised the
question OF no quorum thirty-six times WITHIN
few hours which necesstated the calling OF the
-oli each time. If permitted TO go on unhndered
tzes the Senate il might have been continued in
~ Frif