The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-06
fight FORl'IpHGE |
! jlNl.,:::S'[|NA|IIf |: SCI / RULES .
Will START. ! / TODAY
Democrats to Caucus on Pro.
gram for Special Session /
.33 for Change. =
REPUBLICANS OPPOSE
LIMITING DEBATE
,e'f
Lack Of Cloture Rule Most
Important Asset Of Mi /
ll0rity Party.

Washington, March with Presi-
dent Wilson's demand for a change
in senate rules TO make impossible
In the future such filibuster as tho
one by which Il handful OF members
defeated the armed neutrality bill fresh
In their minds. senate Democrats will
caucus tomorrow on a program for
the special session. The session.
called primarily to pass upon ap-
pointments to office, began formally
today and will get down to business
tomorrow.
Senator Owen, who has been tho
chief proponent of limited debate
rule for many years, is prepared to
bring the subject of cloture before
the caucus. and 33 senator's, most OF
them Democrats. have signed the
agreement to support the rule he pro,
poses.
Republicans Opposed.
There has been no caucus among
the opponents OF cloture, but Repub-
licans today predicted that the mi :
nority party almost to a, man would
oppose such rule and openly. de-
clared there would be Democrats to
side with them.
The Republicans. aside from any
personal views they may have. about
the presidents statement and It's. in
tent to force a change in Legislature
procedure, will oppose the proposed
rule. Just as the minority always op-
pose it. because unlimited debate is
one OF their most potent weapons.
The Progressive Republicans who
participated in the killing Of the armed
neutrality bill are understood to be
exceedingly bitter over the presidents
statement denouncing them. It il
pointed out, too, that they have often
profited by filibusters and some OF
them were prepared to employ one
this year against the rivers and har-
bors appropriation bill.
Democrats who may oppose the
change in rules remember that the
time may come when they will find
themselves again in the minority.
President for Change.
The. biggest present asset of those
who wish a change IN the rules is
the preaident and the public opinion
his statement denouncing the present
rules IL expected to arouse. Never be-
fore, In the history of the many sug-
gestions that have been made for
such q change has q president openly
aligned himself in It's favor. nor has
public attention generally been called
to what. he, considers a, fault In its
method Of procadure. The president
is expected to continue his insistence
for n change hut even optimistic
Champions pf clotnre think It Will be
difficult to keep public interest cen
tered on aAch . subject.
There are 16 new senators. and how
they will stand on a .clotures rule no.
BODY definitely knew tonight, 1t IL
regarded az probable that for the
time, being they will for the most part
line. up with their. respective parties
and apparently thoir coming will make
little difference In q rules fight.
- Other Dusiness.
|. Uniess the rules fight comes up al
once, the senate probably will take w
for confirmation most OF the 1.40C
nominations which failed last session
The treaty to pay Colombia $4,000,
900 for the separation OF Panama will
lead to long, discussion il taken up.
About the first business Of the eau
Gus tomorrow will be the selection OF
q majority leader. Senator Martin OF
Virginia IL upopposed,. the only 0the,
candidate talked of. Senator Walsh
of Montana, having withdrawn a few