The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-09
IN RULES
] TO LIMIT DEBATE
VOTED BY SENATE
TwO-Thirds of Members in
Future Can Kill Organ Il
lied Filibuster. 4,
100 YEARS CUSTOM
MEETS IT'S WATERLOO
Vote is 76 to 3-La Toilette.
GrOnna and Sherman
Oppose Change.

Washington. March s.-After more
than 100 years under rules permitting
debate limited only by the physical en-
durance OF senators and the provision
OF the constitution, the senate today,
by a vote Of 76 to 3, put power in the
hands Of two-thirds Of its members In
the future to limit discussion and to
say when vote shall be taken on a
pending measure.
Never while the amendment is in tho
senate rule book can a little group of
wilful men" as President Wilson
called those he held responsible for de-
feat OF the armed neutrality bill. pre-
vent vote upon a bill before the SEN
ate If thirds OF their colleagues
VIII otherwise. The organized fili-
buster as recognized In the senate Is
dead.
Six Hours Debate.
Action came unexpectedly after six
hours debate on the new rule, drafted
by bipartisan committee. ALTHOUGH
both Democrats and Republicans had
approved the change in caucus and
Senator Martin. the majority floor
leader. had given notice that the SEM
ate would be kept In continuous ses-
sion until vote was taken, nearly
everyone looked for u mueh longer dis
cussion.
tnr 7 n LS.,11 11stta sy..
Of those who opposed the armed nen-
trality bill, and Senator Sherman, who
favored 1t, cast the negative votes.
Senators Cummins, Kenyon. Kirby,
Lane. Norris, Stone and, yardaman,
who We're against the armed neutrality
bill, voted for the amendment. Col
leagues OF most of the senator's absent
announced that II they had been pres.
ent they would have supported II.
The exact use of the rule will not
become apparent until It IL enforced,
but It probably cannot be successfully
used to prevent the spectacular one
man filibuster by which senators have
talked bills pending In the closing
hours OF session to legislative
grave. Such filibusters probably can
not be prevented unless they are FORE
seen, but an organized affair which
must be planned two days or more
ahead of sessions end can be easily
disposed of.
In brief, the new rule provides that
on petition of ls senators to close de-
bate on pending measure. the senate
by twothirds vote on the following
day but one, may limit debate there
after to one hour to each senator. It
includes provisions to prevent dilatory
tactics and to bar the introduction
after cloturc is ordered OF amendments
not germane to the pending bill.
Armed Neutrality Debated.
The debate today started peacefully.
but before 1t had continued long. II
branched into discussion on the armed
neutrality bill and the presidents
statement about the IL men he held
responsible for a failure to get a vote
upon it, There were some bitter criti-
SA''''' VI thS FicolucHl anu OI lu6
newspapers. Senator Cummins de-
clared that any man In the senate or
out of 1t, high or low" who said he
attempted or conspired to prevent
vote on the bill deliberately. falsifies."
The last speaker was Senator La
Toilette, the central figure OF the fill
buster. He said he would not discuss
his position on the neutrality bill now,
but might have something to say about
it later. Pointing out that some Of
the most important appropriation bills,
including the navy and army measures
had been presented to the senate only
a short time before March 1. he asked.
were they so long coming to the SON
ate because 1t was undesirable that
they be discussed here?" The army
bill was presented. he said. with a
provision never before dared to be pre-
sented to an American congress-with
universal conscription or universal
military training embodied In it,,