Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-03-09
To LIMIT
DEBATE TAKEN Up BY
UNANIMOUS CONSENT
Senator Sherman, Republican,
Says He Opposes Making
Rules of Senate SCapegOat
in Present Emergency
sr Assceissss Prsss.

WASHINGTON. March S--The clOture
amendment 10 The senate rules. approx
cd by both Democrats and Republican
,aucuses. was taken Up by the senate
today under unanimous consent
Senator Martin. majority leader, in
asking unanimous consent. said he had
TO desire 20 shut Of full debate Sera-
Tor Lodge. ranking Republican of the
foreign relations commiJtee. said he
hoped there would be no objection.
Il hoped this rule might be a little
more drastic sad Senator Pomerene-
1T Is my belief majority OF the
senate should be asie TO limit debate.
7 am satisfied. however. with the
change"
Senator sherman. one OF the two Re
publicans who voted against the rule
IN caucus. read a portion OF President
Wilson's statement or The failure of the
armed neutrality bill. saying that il
would be useless TO call a special ses-
sion now to pass that bill, as unless the
senate rules were changed a flibuster
could be successfully maintained againsJ
e.
OPPOSES AMENDING RULE
The president" said Senator Sher-
man. Intentionally seeks 20 convey 10
the country the impression that only oy
a thange in the senate rules can the
neutrality bill be passed at a special ses-
sion Of congress. That is not practical
" true, however theoretically il may be
sought to make il appear true
Senator Sherman added that ''por-
ton OF the truth was deliberately omit
ted" from the presidents statement.
Il intend 20 support the armed neu-
traIfty bill" he added. but ! do object
20 making n few senators the object OF
the presidents wrath in statement
sent out to- the general public
The congestion OF legislative bus
ness was not referred TO in the pTesi-
dents statement. Senator Sherman said.
and there was no question in MS mind
that the bill could be passed within
thirty days If the president should call
an extra session
THE rules OF the senate are sought
10 be made the scapegOat in this emer-
Esucy." he declared. and added that he
thought II unnecessary % amend the
rules 20 pass this bill
NO REASON FOR HURRY
senator Sherman said ne failed to see
any reason 10 be '.preciptate' and point
81 TO the sinking of the Busitania nearly
-vo years ago and the sinking OF other
had not been in a hurry 10 demand az
ton
4 wish 10 remind the president said
he senator when ne seeks TO blame
The senate and the senate rules and
-ev senators. that during a large part OF
his time he has ridiculed preparedness
He has r-diculed IL in the army and in
me navy
st~- sherman declared mere was no
~
-raIity bill would give ,ne president
the right 10 arm snuHit;oU ships ana
furnish warships TO CONVOY
when we 60 that ne said. I'VE are
I'm de facto war without The Formally
hat ure.edes the clash o. arms Bear
fu mind that Z will vote for this bill
Md / am prepared 20 vote for war when
The president exercises the power given
in this bill"
He sad he hoped var could be avoid
ed and declared himself ia favor OF
'conscripting every New York editor
who is advocating war in his editorial
columns"
senator Sherman read extracts from
President Wilson's writings declaring
mat the unlimited debate in the senate
vas Of great Importance 10 its useful
ness as a legislative body.
Senator Hollis, Democrat OF New
hampshire. declared the senate took
itself too seriously He moved to amend
the proposed ciotUre rule by providing
that a majority instead OF a twO-thirds
vote should end debate. but later with
d~ew the amendment At ;he suggestion
~ Senator Smith, OF Georgia. who helped
~-1me the proposed rule
The chances are that the new rule
will be adopted b. the senate without
q prolonged struggle This is Indicated
hy the fact that the rule was endorsed
unanimously by a caucus OF forty Dem
ocratIc senators and BY 90 10 ? in n
--->eus OF Republican senator's The
Two voting against endorsement were
Shenators Sherman and France
Senator's I-aFoIIette and GTonns failed
20 attend the Republican caucus and
many Democrats believe they will seize
ne opportunity 10 make speeches on the
armed neutrality bill