Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-27


cess until ten o'clock this morning.
THE HOUsE-A FEW SUGGESTIONS TO
THE DEMOCRATS.
We would not presume to address the intel
hgent and experienced Representatives Of the
People in a dctatorial tone. That we leave to
our neighbor, the Washington Union-a paper
which, it is understood, claims the right, at
pleasure, to make and unmake issues TO grant
absolution or issue recommendations and to
direct the votes and conduct of the Democratic
members of the Senate and House.
But, while we abjure such absurd presump.
ton, we shall, at all times, take the liberty-if
right possessed by US in common with all
our fellow citizens can be so called-to make
such suggestions as occasion and exigency
shall render proper.
Congress has now been in session nearly
four weeks, and seems TO be as far from an or
called. The voting has been altogether bar
rem and unproductive. 1t has also been as
monotonous and wearisome, as barren. firing
of this monotony, disposition has latterly
been evinced in the House to vary the pro.
ceedings by pungent discussions, party appeals,
and personal explanations. Such discussions,
appeals, and explanations, are, no doubt, far
more interesting to the galleries than the mere
dry calling of the roll. But Congress does not
sit altogether for the entertainment of the la
dies and gentlemen who day after day FIJI the
galleries. There are thousands millions
of people scattered throughout the country who
are looking anxiously to the organization Of the
House. We have but one Federal Legislature,
and the people of the country expect it to or.
ganize as soon as practicable and proceed at
once to the discharged its important functions.
Every thing in the shape Of public business is
kept in confused, unsettled, and uncertain
condition by the failure to organize.
We have taken occasion more than once TO
meet the absurd effort that unreasonable
presses aud individuals are making TO fix the
responsibility Of this failure on the Democracy
In minority, and consequently unable to
make an election of officers, they have been
content to stick by their principles, and vote
for their own candidate. The Opposition con-
stitutes the majority, and if that Opposition
fails to elect, but itself can be blamed for the
failure.
But there is one aspect in which all parties
and factions in the House may be regarded as
blame worthy, and that is in speakings so much
The more speaking there is, the less voting will
be done, and the less voting there is done the
greater will be the delay in making the cleo
tons. OF course it is far more agreeable to
sit down and listen to speeches, than to be
bored by the tedious calling Of the roll But
the more pleasant the speaking, and the more
tedious the calling over the long list Of names,
the greater will be the temptation to speak. IL
the voting could be rendered doubly as dry and
monotonous as il is, the sooner could an or.
ganization be effected. Something has been
gained by adopting the ten minutes rule. But
it is desirable that all speaking shall cease.
Our great care and concern, however is, that
the Democratic party keep itself free from all
manner Of blame for the long continued, and
we. fear longer to be continued failure to elect
the officers Of the House.
They have nothing on earth to gain by dis.
cussion, and nothing to lose by discreet silence.
Their position is known TO the whole country,
and is as much appreciated as it is widely
known. No doubt, adroit party managers will
continue TO tempt them 10 discussion in order
that the breach between them and the other
still more widened, and in order, too, that a
part Of the blame Of not making the election
Of officers may attach to the Democratic party.
OF course we would not advise any Democrat
to be dumb when a necessity for speaking shall
arise.@@-But we can hardly conceive, in the
present condition Of affairs in the House. Of
such necessity. II certainly is more neces,
sary to organize than it is to speak. Let the
organization come first and the speaking after.
wards. This is the long session, and every
member will be allowed ample opportunity to
speak to his hearts content
II, however, the several parties, which, to.
gether, constitute the opposition, choose to
take the responsibility of causing still farther
delay in the election Of officers, by wasting
time in empty talk, then let them do so, and
let the country know that the blame is charge.
able on them, and not on the Democratic
party.