Evening journal., 1915-01-21
ADOPT NEW RULES
FOR STATE SENATE
Republicans Show That
Democrats Objected to Plan
They Framed 2 Years Ago
MAJORITY CAN CALL
OUT OF COMMITTEE

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER. Del. Jan. 2i-Another
squabble over changes in the rules
occupied the attention of the Senate
yesterday afternoon before the
amendments proposed by the Republi-
cans we're adopted The Republicans
showed that a rule which the Demo
Gratis opposed was modelled after
Democratic rule Of the session two
years ago
All of the amendments we're adopt
ed unanimously with the exception
to the amendment to Rule 10, which
povided that majority of the mem
bcrs elected can call bill out of
committee.
Senator Furniss, Democrat offered
an amendment to the Republican
amendment which would require the
written request of five members to
call a bill from committee. Senator
Furniss amendment was defeated by
a party vote Senators Carter and
Joseph. Democrats. were absent
Senator Furniss said the Senate
had worked under a rule similar TO
his amendment two years ago, and
he believed it was fair He said that
il the original amendment was adopt
ed the public would say. bills have
gone into a graveyard when they go
in committee"
The minority party seems to have
no right whatever in this body" he
said 1--WE propose TO be considerate,
but il you are going to gag us that
way-well / won't make any threats,
hut you will find you will need us
before the session is ended"
Senator Wharton, Democrat, pro-
tested against the adoption of the
rule. Il want to appeal to the
gentlemen on the opposite side of
the House. asking them to show a
spirit of fairness" he said. He ask
cd that the minority be not denied q
voice i'm the legislation or deliber-
alton of a body elected to do the
will of the people He read a
clause from the Governors message
urging a spirit of cooperation be-
tween the members of the Legislature
2 regardless of party. He claimed the
] ihlt MAo ltN0AuAlNAdl9 anu uAhHAAA.
/ The Republicans had been awaiting
a chance to reply. and Senator Hof-
focker, Republican, pointed out thai
IL the rule was revolutionary anC
a drastic" and all the Democrats claim
: eG. IL was only similar to a rule thai
: prevailed in the House two years age
!, that was made by the Democratic
majority of that branch. Mr.. HOf
fecker said he was a member of th'
=, minority party in the House at tha
q time
n THE rule is not to impose hard
n ship said Senator HOffecker. "an
l. the minority members will be treate
l. with fairness and consideration.
" "As you all know Il takes min
8. votes or a majority of all the mem
e hers elected to this body TO enac
o any measure. That is provided 70
10 in the Constitution. Therefore W
IS claim that when it is necessary Il
q take any action TO call a bill out o
Ie a committee II should at least com
a mand as many votes as would .
n necessary TO pass that measur
= which is, as you know. a majority @
all members elected to the Senate.
The Democrats were evidently sur
pilhtu 10 iedln lndl ine iAepuDllcdn
were merely putting into effect
Democratic House rule of two year
ago. Senator Gormley Democra
Y protested against the rule change, an
n Senator Barnard, Republican. ais
pointed out that il was merely lili
the rule framed by the Democrats
" the House two years ago. Ser
IN ator Barnard said all Democratic pro
s. tests now against the rule rehecte
G. against the Democratic party's actio
Ell az that time
lr II fail to see where Il worked an
a. hardship on the minority party
a. that time" he declared. Il thin
s. tho rule is only fair and Just"
as The Republican amendment va
III carried. the Republicans voting for
te and the Democrats against il.
e.
]