St. Paul Daily Globe

DEBATE TO BE SHUT OFF.

Senators Decide Upon a Form of Gag Law.

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 14. --The republican senators to the number of thirty-one met in caucus to-night to receive the report of the committee appointed at the caucus held last Thursday to consider a change in the rules of the senate by which debate can be limited for the purpose of passing the federal election bill. The committee, through Senator Aldrich, presented a proposed modification of the rules under which, when a measure had been under discussion for three legislative days, a majority of the senate could order general debate closed; after that, thirty minutes to be given to each side for debate, no senator to speak more than once. Objection was made to this rule on the grounds that it would look to the country as though the Republicans were proposing under it to hurry the election bill through the senate in three days. After some debate it was determined to change the proposed rule so as to have debate closed after a reasonable time instead of three days. In this form the rule was referred back to the caucus committee to be revised and reported to a future caucus.

The vote taken on this proposition showed a decisive majority of those present in favor of a change in the rules and the passage of the federal election bill. The next caucus may not be held for several days. In the meantime it is understood that the sundry civil appropriation bill will be disposed of and the tariff bill taken up; but it is also the understanding that the tariff bill will be laid aside temporarily to take up the river and harbor bill in the near future.