The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-05
Don't Yield in Conference I

In the Federal Congress IL Is the func-
Non Of the House OF Representatives to
Express the wants and will OF the people
Il is the function OF the Senate to repre-
vent the political equality of the States.
Ind to preserve the rights of the small
btates against the power of the large. The
House is the popular branch OF Congress;
Me Senate Is the federal branch.
The concurrence OF both branches has
been made necessary TO the perfection OF n
law. The Constitution provides that GER
lain measures shall originate in the House.
The spirit of our government requires that
. class OF laws enacted by the House shall
be accepted and concurred in by the Sem
ate as the declared will of the people.
Among these are measures of admiuistra-
tive reform OF economy in the use of the
public money, OF curtailment OF unneces-
hry expenses, of correction of abuses In
the civil military, and naval services. The
hight of the Senate in respect to such meas
Hres is solely to promote and perfect. 1t
hos no right to thwart, cripple, or defeat.
Practice has provided for conference
between the two bodies when they disa-
gree in regard TO the provisions of law
originating in either. The committee OF
conference was compromise OF Il radical
hight OF the House in certain measures.
which should never have been made In
bill passed by the Representatives 10 re-
luce the expenses of the army, the House
hould ever have said, This is the will Of
NE people" and have stood unyicldingly
m their enactment 1t had no right TO
m or. fo ha fuf no 1ng 1tt-fn y
Me taxpayers of the nation. But the con-
Ference committee is an established fact,
Ind a fixed part OF the machinery of our
Government We have got to use it.
But we call on the House OF Representa-
lives TO check the abuse of this mechanism.
II was not originally contrived to break
The will of either body. II was designed
b harmonic differences of opinion rs TO
"details and methods. II was not intended
Tor a defeat TO legislation. Its purpose
was to save and perfect it. II the Senate
votes down bill passed by the House TO
effect economy or administrative reform.
and throws IL into conference, IL usurps
power which does not strictly belong to II,
and uses force TO thwart the popular
will. II the Representatives yield TO this,
my hip NOnhihig hiii htIflfi W uUlN.
In variety of measures passed and to be
passed by the present House the people
have declared their earnest determination
TO reduce the extravagant cost of their
Government, and stop criminal waste.
The Senators, not being responsible TO the
people rs electors, and III their several
States being the heads Of political organ
izatons TO which offices. incomes, con-
tracts, and generous expenditure Of the
public money are helpful ana necessary,
naturally oppose this economy, and will
beat II If they can. The conference room
OF the committees is their battle field.
Now, one of two duties rests on the Rep
resentntives-not to go into conference on
these measures at all, or, going in, to stand
mistakenly on the bills they have passed.
Let the Senate, if 1t will, take the respon-
Ebilty of the failure of the appropriations
for the diplomatic expenses, the support
of West Point, of the Judge Advocates
Bureau, and so on. Stand on your bills,
Representatives Your duty will have been
discharged. You will have maintained
the right Of the people to cheaper the
cost OF their Government against the
resistance of the hostile and mischievous
politicians, whose headquarters is the
ITuifaH Gfnfaa fa al, h.,r