The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-13

Will of Maiority-New Plan Goes
Through With but Three Dissent
ing Votes, All Factions Uniting to
Its Support-S0me Hard Words
Mark Debate Which Precedes Ac-
tiOn of Upper House.
Washington, March S.-After more
than 100 years under rules permit
ting debate limited only by the
physical endurance Of senator's and
the provisions of the constitution, the
senate tonight, by vote OF IS to s.
put power in the hands of two-thlrds
of it's members in the future to limit
discussion and to say when vote
shall be taken on pending measure.
Never while the amendment is IN
the senate rule book can a little
group of Wilful men," as President
aWilson called those he held respon-
:sible for the defeat Of the armed neu-
trality bill, prevent vote on a Dill
before the senate if two-thirds OF
their colleagues will otherwise. The
organized flibuster as recognized III
the senate is dead.
Action came unexpectedly aItef SIX
hours debate on the new rule drafted
by a bipartisan committee. Although
both Democrats and Republicans had
approved the change in caucus and
Senator Martin, the majority toor
leader, had given notice that the
senate would be kept in continuous
session until a vote was taken nearly
every one looked for much longer
discussion.
Senators La Folle:se and Gronna,
two Of those who opposed the armed
neutrality bill, and Senator Sherman
who favored it, cast the negative
votes. Senators Cummins, Kenyon,
Kirby, Lane, Norris, Stone and
vardaman, who were against the
armed neutrality bill, voted for the
amendment. Colleagues of most OF
the senators absent announced that II
they had been present they would
have supported it.
The exact use of the rules will not
become apparent until it IS enforceo
but it probably can not be success
fully used to prevent the spectacular
one-man filibusters by which senators
have talked bills pending in the CLOS
ing hours of a session to leglsia-
tive grave. Such filibusters probably
can not be prevented unless they are
foreseen but an organized affair which
must be planned two days or more
ahead OF a sessions end can be dis
posed Of easily.
In brief, the new rule PROVIDES
that on petition Of Is senators to close
debate on a pending measure the SEN
ate by a two-thirds vote on the fol-
lowing day but one may limit debate
thereafter to one hour to each sena-
tor. It includes provisions to pre-
vent dilatory tactics and the introduc-
ton after cloture is ordered Of amend
ments not germane to the pending
bill.
Not Same as House Rule.
Many senators who favored the
change do not look upon it as q
cIoture rule such as prevails IN the
house of representatives, where the
rules committee with a majority be-
hind it can set the limits upon speech
and the hour for a vote. Others who
fear that the action tonight merely
forecasts a more drastic change IN
the future. declared it was but the
entering wedge and that the days OF
the senate as the only legislative body
in the world where there can not be
full and free discussion are numbered.
The debate today started peacefully
but before it had continued long IT.
branched into discussion on the arm
ed neutrality bill and the president 5
statement about the II men he held
responsible for failure to get vote
upon it. There were some bitter
criticisms Of the president and or the
newspapers. Senator Cummins de-
elared that any man in the senate or
out. if "high or low who said he
attempted Or conspired to prevent a
vote on the bill deliberately falsides.' -
Senator Townsend said the presi-
dents statement was unjust, unfor-
tunate and in his opinion unconsti-
tutional, as an attack upon a coord1-
nate branch of the government.
Senator Norris announced that ne
favored cloture rule, but was opposed
and would still be opposed to the
armed neutrality bill unless modified.
He asserted the side of those who op-
posed that measure had never reach
ed the people.
Senator Smoot said if the president
would call a special session Of con-
gress and the friends of the armed
neutrality bill would not take all
the time, the measure could be passed
in three days after it reached the
senate floor.
May Speak Late.
The last speaker was Senator La
Toilette, the central figure of the fill