Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1881-05-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
[From our regular Correspondent
WAsliiNGToN, D. G.. May 0, 'S

tFrom our regular Correspondent
WAsnINoToN. ID. G., Mayo, 'S1.
So much has been said OF late about Sen
atorial courtesy, or the " conrtesies OF the
Senate" that something concerning that
branch OF the Government and its ways
may not be inappropriate here. The Uni
ted States Senate, both from the organic
nature of the body and fiom its customs,
represents the conservatism nnd dignity of
the American people. TO be member of
that body is regarded an honor second only
to that of being President OF the nation,
and it conlers influence almost as great.
The Senate is often tlippantly spoken of by
writers for the press in tone of criticism
for its "heavy dignity" yet, after all, this
cism, appears 10 thinking people, one OF
congratulution. The Senate is the permo-
nent legislative body of our Government.
and while party politics divides its mem
bers, as in all other bodies, there is still
limit bounded by courtesy, aud partisan
ship does not have the sway i. exercises
in The lower House. This rule of courtesy
is an unwritten law, nonpnrisan in its ma
ture and possessing equal force and effect
with any constitutional or legislative pro-
vision. For an illustration of the restrain
ing influence of this reign of dignity and
courtesy, we may refer to the late deadlock.
With all the exciting conditions attending
this contest, il has been kept within rea-
sonable bounds. In the House this same
state of affairs would have produced a
roaring tornado.
But there is one direction in which this
senatorial courtesy extends wherein its re-
suits nre not of unquestionable propriety.
This Ia with reference to nominations by
the President for Federal offices. 1t is all
very we'll for Senators to defer TO one an.
other, bnt the courtesy which permits one
or two Senators to almost veto presiden-
tial appointment seems to be decided
stretch OF politeness. The practice OF il
has grown into system which amounts TO
usurpation. BY ii Senators are enabled in
large degree to control the power of APP
pointments to Office, lodged by the Consti-
tuition with the Executive 1t was in the
days of Andrew johnson that the Senate
commenced TO arrogate to itself powers
which previously no member OF that body
had ever dreamed OF laying claim to. The
Senate went long way ahead of the house
in originating measures trenching upon
the powers of the Executive and invaded
first one and then another of his preroga.
tives, until he was rendered completely
powerless, and no nomination lie made had
any chance Of confirmation unless by pre-
vious understanding with the Senators rep
resenting the State in which the Office was
located. These were considered as legili-
mate war measures, or emergency meas
ures, but Senators have been 10th to sur
render any of the prerogntives thus taken
TO themselves. The tendency of human
nature is to acquire more, rather than sur
render power. And while the Senate is
evenly balanced between the Two parties,
| with the Executive Department in the
hands OF the party that has controlled il
Tor twenty years, il is n good time to con-
slider whether the practice that has pre-
vailed is correct one. President Hayes
thought it was not, and acted accordingly
though with but Indifferent success. Gen.
Garfield evidently also thinks the appoint
ing power belongs to the President, and
his troubles are just beginning.
In other directions the courleses pre-.
vailing in tho Senate are more admirable
One is in reference to promotion on com
mittees. When new Senator is assigned
to committee his name is enrolled at the
loot OF the majority or mnority-accord
ing to his poitics-and as those nbov,
him retire he goes up. For instance, " he,
the Democrats got control of the Senate i
was easy to determine what Senators woul |,
become chairman OF their respective com
mittees. The highest name among til,
Democrats on each committee was promo
ted to the chairmanship in all cases excep
those where the same Senator occupied
the same position on more than one com
mittee. This courtesy" contribute
largely to the well ordered dignity which
the Senate maintains because il prevent
\ amy scranibling Tor preierment-and moth
ing is more nndigniied in n statesman thai
that. The rights allotted the minority il
distributing the committee patronage @
5 The Senhte is also Il feature unknown il
the House. The method of obtainin
more eligible seats is of the same quiel
dignllied order that prevails in other ma
ters. In book kept Tor that purpose tn
Senator has his name entered ms choosin
r certain seat whenever the present occr
pant shall retire. Sometimes vacancies d
not occur as expected and the applicnl
must wait Senator Logan applied TO
/. Senator kirkwood's seat some DAYS befor
anybody else knew the latter was goin
into the Cabinet. This shows that Loga
IL "up TO snuff"
There IL never any competition in II,
: Senate Tor the right to the floor. On til
y contrary, n willingness to yield to anoils
Ia always observed, and foreign minister
and diplomats after noting The decorui
0 that works the United States Senate hay
y invariably pronounced it the most dign
lied and courteous legislative body in TIL
world. But few alterations or scenes
y violence have ever occurred in the Senal
n or on the floor of that chamber. One
y the most notable was the attack Of Brook
y OF South Carolina, upon Charles Sumne
: and IN this case the attacking party b.
Z longed 10 the other House. saw il staie
= Home time ago, that, aud the paragrap
:, was published throughout the connlr
o that Judge Orr, Of Mississippi, had po
il session 0f the cane whicl, Brooks used
I. his assault upon Sumner; that he had o.
II lained II from ex Senator Orr, of Soui
o Carolina, who got il from Brooks himsel
Is and the cane WIS described as being
hickory viii, a heavy silver head. CAP
Is Basseii, the venerable doorkeeper of Il
g Senate, says the cane was made Of gntl
l,ercl,a ; and that il broke into pieces In Il
r first blew, and he picked up and still III
y one OF the pieces.
y The Height OF Folly.
u To wait until you are down ON your b.
l a. al /.