The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-23
SEATTLE. SATURDAY. AUGUST 90.
THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

The Senate as now constituted, with
Idaho and Wyoming as yet unrepresented,
consists of "a members, of whom AZ are
Republicans and 81 are Democrats. OF
these the terms of one-third-2S in all-will
expire on the 4rh of March, 1891. The sem
tors for the new term win be one each from
Alabama, Arkansas, California. Colorado,
Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, In
diana, Iowa. Kansas. Kentucky, Louis
Jana, Maryland, Missouri, Montana,
North Dakota, Nevada, New Hampshire,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont,
Washington and Wisconsin.
OF the outgoing Senators sixteen are Re-
publicans and twelve are Democrats. So
far as elections have been held to fill these
vacancies there has been no change IN the
political situation. The Democrats seem dis
posed to make desperate effortfor the seats
to be vacated for California, Illinois, Mon
tana, New York and Pennsylvania, with
small hope OF success in either case, but if
they should carry all four it would leave
the Senate safely Republican by q fair
working majority, especially in view of the
almost certainty Of two each from Idaho
and Wyoming.
Thus 1t is apparent that for several years
to come the Republicans are assured of q
majority in the Senate. which would make
it impossible for the Democrats, even if
they should obtain control of the lower
house. to repeal or amend any legislation
effected by this congress. This emphasizes
the necessity for the Republicans in both
branches of this congress to enact into law
all of the measures to which the party
stands pledged.
The Republicans in the lower house have
realized and have met this necessity.
With prompt dispatch they passed the Gus.
toms appropriation bill, the SILVER bill, the
federal elections bill and the tariff bill. Ii
the Senate had been equally prompt all of
the necessary business of the session might
have been disposed of and an adjournment
had by the lst of July or by the 18th of
that month at farthest. Then this congress
and the party could have gone before the
country with every pledge redeemed and
the credit of having accomplished all need
full results in short and business like ses-
sion.
But. having wasted this opportunity and
protracted the session two months beyond
q reasonable limit in Difference to Demo-
cratic obstruction. the next best thing is to
resolutely stay until all necessary legisla-
ture is accomplished. Having stayed too
long to reap the credit for short session.
there can be nothing gained by not staying
long enough to accomplish the results that
have been waited for.
The session to commence In December
must necessarily be short one. Itexpires
by constitutional limitation on the 4th of
March. Until after the holidays but little
will be accomplished. Practically the time
for business will but little exceed two
months. During so short a session il is
doubtful whether the majority, however
well disposed, can defeat obstructive tao
tics and force through measures that may
be postponed at this session. The party
looks to the Republicans in the Senate 70
stand firm and leave nothing to chance.
This demand is reasonable and should be
complied with.