El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-03-07
"Cloture" Of Senate Debate
(BY H. S. H.

TT serious attempt is to be made to revise the rules
of the United States senate so as to permit the closing
of debate allow vote in spite of the opposition OF
one or few senators discussion in the senate VIII be
Illuminating 1t is old question, and those who Tee-
her some Of the spectacular instances durng recent
years of the use Of the privilege OF unlimited ueo u
prevent enactment OF measures favored by maloy'
will take the greater interest Few have forgotten Ine
defeat of the socalled Force BILL or the massacre OF
greasy rivers and harbors pork BILL by such tactics Both
measures were efectualy-and most foTtunately-dls-
noed of and were revived any such form as the
While the privilege or fright" of unlimited debate in
national senate is deemed precious by many serious
students of parliamentary practice and constitutional ms
tory in United States, and while there mucn 10 De
said in favor of retaining it. nevertheless does seem 10 tne
ordinary outsider if some compromise ought 70 o
and the practice squared with modern needs Deadocks get
nowhere; they express nothing settle nothing Aney axe
wasteful and stupid Even granting that there are times
the headlong course OF an Overwhelming ~
ought stopped in the public interest Il seems as II ne
rule of reason might still be invoked
Liberal for debate should or course De
The rights of the minority Of Individual IN sucn
BODY as the senate cannot be invaded without serious
danger. In way, liberal popular government uePeuS 0
But Eby would if not be possible for example to per
milf closure of debate BY two-thTds or even three
forh or yesxths vote after each member should have
had the opportunity to to refuse or assign the use
of four hours discussion? The figures are purPos made
rather extreme merely to indicate line along which
compromise proceed TO successful issue Suen an az
rangement could hardly be called oppressive OF destructive
of the liberties of the people.
True the EARNED neutrality" bill and s5S1oooooo o.
appropriation bills together with dozen other measures OF
more or less national concern failed of enactment IN the
session of congress just closed but the nation may derive
some comfort in the knowledge that act prohibiting e
interent of any person the cemetery OF Whites Iaoer
nace &c. of the Ancient United Order OF Sons ana
tiers Brethren Sisters of Moses was finally passed and
signed by the president
One dav president Wilson delivers his inaugural address
in Washington and the day president Wilson addresses
the cattlemens convention in Fl Paso. It's conqueng
distance with amazing speed.
Perbaps II is some consolation for German or Austrian
commander to receive decoration when he is fired from
his Job.
The senate having failed pass the appropriation
bill the army can support with especial enthusiasm the
presidents views obstructionists
If the British have without potatoes they are no
worse off than the rest of US
Villa may be dead-agan-but evidence in the form of
a corpus deficit is still lacking.
At 1875 in Chicago, the swine are trying to hog the
market.
In the minds OF its opponents the submission question
Is best uut in this form: "What will you have2