Evening star., 1925-06-12
MODIFIED SENATE
RULES SUGGESTED
Jones of Washington, How
ever, Is Against Making
Drastic Changes.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special D1spatcn TO The Star
SEATTLE, June 12.-Lining up with
opponents of drastic amendments to
the Senate rules which would prevent
free, full and unlimited" debate, Sen.
ator Jones Of Washington, Republican
whip" Of the Senate, today suggested
several changes in the rules which
might yet expedite the business of the
Senate and prevent fllibusters.
One Of his proposals would prevent
the presentation of amendments to a
bill or resolution which are not ger
mane. Such a rule already lies
against amendments to appropriation
bills. Senator Jones would have it ap-
ply to ordinary legislative measures.
Another proposal of Senator Jones
Is q rule which shall compel Senators
to conflne their remarks to the sub
ject before the Senate, unless unani-
nous consent be granted by the Sen
ate to Senator desiring to address
himself to some other subject.
Hold to Relevant Issues.
Senators should be required to con.
fine their remarks to the subject
under consideration" he says, "ex-
cept unanimous consent be given
otherwise, and an appeal from the
chairs decision should be decided
without debate. This proposes a sub
stantial change and there is ample
room for honest difference Of opinion
over it. I doubt If it should apply to
the consideration of treaties, and 1t
preparation bills at first. At least it
is a concrete suggestion going to the
heart Of much Of our delay"
A third proposed amendment. In
effect would bring about a limitation
OF debate on measures other than
revenue or appropriation bills after
they may have been under consider
alton for 10 days and 1t has been i'm
possible to reach a unanimous consent
agreement for their disposition. This
amendment. however, Senator Jones
suggests, may not be necessary If the
first two he proposes are adopted.
THE rules and practices of the
Senate" said Senator Jones, "are the
product of more than q century of
legislative growth. They have had
the approval of the greatest minds,
the ripest experience and the most
unself1sh patriotism of the ablest
men Of this republic. The members
of the Senate today seek to do what
is for the country's good just as
earnestly and just as patr1otically as
any one outside the Senate.
II have been a member of the Sem
ate 16 years and have given some at
tention to its procedure. When / en-
tered 1t I was somewhat preiudiced
against its way of doing business.
thought its rules should be changed.
The more I saw of it's work, however,
the less confidence I had in that
judgment. Experience more and more
showed me the wisdom of it's pro-
cedure.
Protection for Public.
"The House, because of its large
automatically 1t is for the good of
the public to have one branch of the
legislature give full consideration to
measures of vital interest. The Sem
ate does that. Special interests well
come quick action. OF course, those
who seek a change in the rules of
the Senate do not seek to benefit the
special interests, but I am certain
that those who may seek special
benefits will welcome any limitations
upon debate. Free, full, and, If you
lative measures is the greatest pro-
lection the ordinary citizen has
against unjust encroachment upon his
rights.
What are some Of the complaints
made against the rules of the Sem
ate? 1t is said that a small minority
should not be permitted to thwart the
will Of the majority as it has done
by filibuster. A small minority
cannot defeat the will Of determined
majority, except possibly in a short
session, and then only near the close
of the session. The only remedy
for this situation, IN my judgment,
is the doing away with the short
session by a constitutional amend
ment like that proposed by Senator
Norris, which has twice passed the
Senate under it's present rules but has
not yet been acted upon by the House.
No small minority-in fact, no min
ority-can defeat a measure in a long
session that Is supported by an ear
nest majority"
What amendments to the rules
do those who urge a change sug-
gest?" he asks. I have seen and
heard no concrete proposal. Those
who go about the country seeking to
arouse the people against the Senate's
method Of procedure should at least
tell the people what change they
think should be made"