The Washington times., 1917-03-09
CLOTURE IN SENATE
DISCARDS TRADITION
FiIibuSter No Longer Will Be
Effective Except at
End of Session.
DEBATED FOR SIX HOURS
Speed in Adopting Rule Unex-
pected-La Toilette, Gronna,
and Sherman Oppose 1t.
DEBATED FOR SIX HOURS

Having cast aside the old tradition
of unlimited debate. and having
adopted a cloture rule, the Senate has
paved the way for more expeditions
action than was possible before on
the many important measures which
it will have to take up if an extra ses-
sion is called.
Unexpected speed was exhibited by
the upper house in adopting cloture.
Driven by the storm aroused by the
filibuster on the armed neutrality bill.
both parties united to hurry it
through, and what promised at one
time to be a ng-drawn struggle was
closed quickly last night.
After six hours of debate the vote
was taken. and but three Senators op-
posed it. They were Senators La Fol-
lette. Gronna and Sherman. the first
two being of the group of "willful
men" assaiIed by President Wilson.
The rest of the group of ''willful
men" supported the rule, among them
Senator Stone.
Can Hasten Action.
With the adoption of the rule, it
will be possible, if the measure is
again presented TO Congress in extra
session, to hurry the armed neutrality
bill. to a quick vote. although it is
entirely possible that it would not be
necessary to invoke the rule for this
purpose.
Under the practice of the Senate
for century and quarter there has
been unlimited debate. A vote has
been taken when unanimous consent
was given. Under the new rule, or
amendment of the rules, a vote can
be had on any measure when two
thirds of those voting so decide. 1t
is provided that on petition of six
teen Senators to close debate on a
pending measure, the Senate by a
vote of two-thirds on the following
day but one may limit debate there
after to one hour for each Senator
The rule includes provisions against
dilatory tactics and the Introduction
after cloture is ordered of amend
ments not germsne to the pending
bill.
The rule is looked on by some Sem
ators as not sufficiently drastic. Some
OF them wanted debate choked off by
majority debate. Others fear it is
too drastic and regard it With mis-.
giving. Many of the Southern Ser
ators would have preferred no cIo-
ture.
Bar to Filibuster.
The exact effect of the rule. ac-
cording to the best authorities, will
be to prevent a filibuster by a small
body Of Senators in all but the last
two or three days of a session. When
the Senate is strongly in favor Of any
h. q,
tiouslY at any time save near the
wind-up of a session. Right at the
close of a session the rule would not
be effective.
1t was pointed out in the debate
yesterday by Senator Cummins that
the new rule would have have served
in the session just closed to force the
armed neutrality bill to a vote.
On the one hand. il is expected the
rule will operate to induce leaders to
try 10 get important Legislation
through earlier in the session than
in the past. and TO prevent fiIibusters
save in the closing hours of a ses-
sion.
So far as the armed neutrality bill
is concerned, it is conceded that IL
this comes before the Senate in an
early extra session it can readily be
passed. 1t might not be necessary to
invoke the rule on account of il, but
if il was necessary il would be ef-
fective. as it always will when senti-
ment is overwhelming on ono side
and when a session is not in the finai
stages.
Congress as Rubber stamp
The debate concluded last evening
with utterances from a number of
the "willful men"
Senator La Toilette took the floor