The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-04-22
why this Waste of Timer


1t begins to look % though the republi-
cans in the senate were determined to con-
tinue the debate on the Army appropri-
alton bill as long as possible. Now just
what they hope to accomplishor what par
ticular good it will do the country or the |
republican party to prolonge a session,
which they opposed on the start, when it is
known Just how each senator will vote. is
very difficult for the average American
citizen to understand. Unless it is to give
the party managers time to coeroe the ex-
ecutlve into vetoing a'measure which does
not happen to suit the minority. If they
are continuing the debate in the hope that
the democrats will commit some fatal
blunder, whereby the republican party will
be benefited, they will be mistaken. The
democrats can afford to be temperate
moderate and fair in all the debate. There
is vast difference in their situation now
and when they were continually commit
ing the errors that republicans are new
looking for so anxiously. 1t is the differ
ence between q majority and a powerless
minority; and there is the still further diff
ference Of the superior ability on the dem
ocratic side Of the house. And as long as
all are agreed that prolonged session is
disastrous TO the business interests of the
country, it is the duty of the majority to
give the minority a taste of republican
practice and cut short unnecessary and
useless debate.
This whole matter was ably discussed in
the House and we fail to see that the grave
and reverend senators have contributed
any new ideas or added new wisdom to the
discussion. All sensible men must agree
with Mr. Carlisle, of Kentucky, who, in
making a speech in the House upon the
Legislative, Executive and Judicial appro-
priation bill comprehended the whole
principle involved in this extra session.
From the reports we find that he took the
true democratic ground that the house Of
representatives is not the tool Of the exec
utive but represents the will of the people
that it is not merely an exponent OF the
personal or party wishes of the president
but is chosen to legisate for the people
He showed that the federal government
has nothing to do with the voter, but tina
the power to protect belongs to the same
power that regulates the qualifications o
the voter; and the only right guaranteed
to congress by the constitution in this mat
ter is to be the sole judge Of the qualifca
tons OF its own members, aud in this re
spect it is for Congress to determine tn
legality of the votes cast for the election
OF those members. But the Constitution
does not confer upon the Federal Govern
ment any right to touch the voter. 1t can
not compel State officers to perform thei
official duties, and yet If the laws which
is sought to repeal are constitutional, it
possible that Federal officers might sui
round the State Executive, examine til
credentials Of members of State Legisl;
lures, and cite them before United State
Commissioner for violations of law. NJ
Carlisle closed by declaring that if tt
question was not settled now by Congre'
it would go before the people, who wouI
settle itin the right way, in favor of ''iu
partial juries and tair elections"
This is the whole issue of the extra SCI
sion. On this will be the final vote an
perhaps the Veto No amount of deba
can change vote and Congress might
we'll submit it to the people at once.