Evening journal., 1915-01-19
CHANCES IN RULES
OF STATE SENATE
Meet at II O'clock; Require
No Notice to Introduce
New Measures
MAJORITY CAN CALL
FROM ANY COMMITTEE
Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL

Special to THE EVENING JOURNAL.
DOVER, Del, Jan. l9.-Proposed
changes in the Senate rules. as framed
by the Republican majority OF that
branch, We're submitted to the Senate
yesterday afternoon by Senator Harvey
Hoffecker, chairman of the committee
on rules. They are to be acted on today.
One rule eliminates the requirement
that notice of one day must be given
before bill can be introduced in the
Senate. Hereafter no notice will be re-
quired which is the same procedure as
in the House.
Another amendment changes from
1890 to II O'Clock the hour for the Sen
ate to meet in the morning. Another
provides that "A majority OF members
can call bill or resolution out of com
mittee.
The Republicans offered no amendment
to change the rule that empowers the
lieutenant-governor to appoint the ex-
ecutive committee to which is referred
appointments by the Governor in oxecu-
tive sessions. Lieutenant Governor Fer
guson has named an executive COM
mittee, majority of which is Demo-
cratic and President pro tenn Walker
also has named such committee. the
majority of which is Republican.
( The Republicans, it was learned. had
under consideration in their conference.
a new rule to designate the president
pro tenn. as the president of the Senate.
and giving him power 90 sign bills and
resolutions that had passed that branch
{ Such rule would curtail materially the
/ powers OF the lieutenant-govemo who
now is president of the Senate. The Re
! publican members of the Senate. how
ever, decided not to present that rule
change to the Senate.
In presenting the amendments to
/ the rules Senator Hoffecker said:
! Certain differences between the
/ rules of the Senate and House have
i shown themselves during the few
4 weeks we have been operating under
! the present rules The rules under
I which the House is operating expe-
dite the transaction of business in
many ways and in order to bring
about a conformity in the rules of this
body with those Of the House, so that
the business between the two Houses
y may be aided, the committee on rules
/ of the Senate desires TO submit a re-
] port recommending certain amend
ments 10 the rules for which | ask
immediate consideration"
After the amended rules were read
Senator Wharton moved that they be
J., laid over until today that the men,
bers might familiarize themselves
i with the changes before voting upon
i them. Senator Gormley also asked
that they be laid over and President
pro TEN Walker declared there was
no reason why they should not be laid
over II the members so desired. The
] amendments we're then ordered to be
! laid over.
] As amended. the rules that were
/ changed read as follows:
Rule -. Every bill shall be in
! troduced by a motion for leave by
order of the Senate, or by report OF
a committee"
, "Rule 13.-Every bill and joint res
/ olution, except as to style and form
Il shall receive three separate readings
! the first and second readings shall be
: had on the same day; the second read
J ing to be by title only"
Rule 14.-Every bill and resolution
to which the concurrence of botf
] Houses of the General Assembly may
q be necessary. shall. upon it's passag,
l in the Senate be certified to by th'
5 Secretary and the date of the passage
of the same noted at the foot on th'
back thereof"
Rule 19.-Upon the written reques