Speech #620258084

GARDN EI apparently acquiesced in by the gentleman from Texas . the chairman of the Coinmittee on Rules. that there ought to be In the rules a limitation of debate upon great measures. The gentleman from Massachusetts himself just now is a living illustration of his opposition to closing debate when attacked in the last speech. He would not be willing to have two hours only general debate upon the immigration bill if he could not have part of the time and somebody should attack his propositions on immigration. I have often noticed in the House that when gentlemen become thoroughly infatuated with some particular bill that they would like to close general debate until that bill is passed if they can control the time that is allowed on general debate on the bill. But I believe that the rules ought always to provide that a small minority of the House on great public questions should have the opportunity of being heard in general debate. The rules now authorize a majority of the House to close debate at once upon a House calendar bill by operation of the previous question. and whenever they please upon a Union Calendar bill by a vote of the House. Here we have had up this year or have on the calendar a bill for Philippine independence. a bill providing for a general government in the Philippine Islands. the immigration bill. and we will have the compensation bill. which is not yet on the calendar. although it ought to be. and a serious proposition being urged that the House shall limit debate by the rules for two hours. subject. of course. I believe. to twothirds of the House giving a larger time. but absolutely foreclosing the right of a small minority to have any time in general debate. We have seen how that operates when we come to debate upon a question.