New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-11
RESPONSIBILITY OF SENATORS.

E'orty-seyen gentlemen of the Republican
party have just now most serious response
bility to meet. They have been highly hon
ored and intrusted with great power as Sen
ators of the United States by millions OF Re-
publican voters. Their offices are not 1ndl-
vidual perquisites, but are held in trust for the
voters, who will not be patient If these Repub-
lican Senators suffer Democratic talk to waste
so much time that measures OF the highest
National Importance, upon which the safety OF
the Republic and the prosperity OF its indus
tries depend, cannot be passed. Responsibility
cannot be evaded by blaming the rules, for the
majority has power to change the rules and
more easily by one struggle than to pass peces-
sary bills by several struggles AT any time
during the months already wasted the Senate
could have so amended its rules that the power
to do business would rest where the people
have placed the responsibility. The Senators
composing the majority have not seen tit to
alter the rules. The voters will expect them
in one way or another to get the public bust
ness transacted.
The measures on which millions of Repub-
icans desire and have right to expect action
by their servants in the Senate are the Tariff
bill ard the Election bill. If any Senator
imagines that Republican voters have no gen.
eral or strong interest in these measures, or
will see either of them put aside or postponed
without indignation, he makes great mis-
take The Republican party, an organized body
of 5000, 900 earnest, intelligent and deter
mined voters, has deliberately pledged itself
to reform the tariff for the better protection OF
American labor, and to secure an honest vote
and a fair count in Federal elections. II any
Senator does not respect this demand OF the
people, and the formal pledges of those whom
he represents, his course will surely not be
forgotten when he wants to be trusted again.
TIE TRIBUNE has as many opportunities OF
knowing public opinion throughout the country
as any Senator, and it is certain that the pop
ular demand for reform OF election meth
DDS is stronger than politicians realize. Sober,
thoughtful and conscientious men, whose JudgE
ment finally controls the action of the Repub-
ican party in the various States have become
thoroughly convinced that the success OF any
and every sound National policy, and in the
end the very maintenance of free institutions,
do now absolutely depend upon the adoption
of measures to secure fair and free vote and
an honest count The infamous crimes by
which elections in several Northern States
have been carried, and the rapidly increasing
frequency and audacity of these crimes, have
deeply impressed the minds of such voters
1t will be to them no excuse at all, but
miserable subterfuge, if a Senator gives as a
reason for failing to pass the Election bill his
personal unwillingness to sit up all night in
hot weather, after he has neglected to insist
upon amendment of the rules earlier in the
session.
The Tariff bill has been discussed at great
length in the Senate already, and essentially the
bill pending has been passed. The industries of
the whole country are seriously affected by
delay of action in the Senate on that matter.
The conduct of Democrats thus far abundantly
justifes the majority in adopting rule to close
debate and shut off dilatory motions on the
important measures pending. Whether Sen
ators choose by passing one such rule to fix the
hour for final voting on each of the important
measures pending, or to undergo the fatigue
of separate struggle over each, is their affair.
The public does not care much about it. But
the public does demand that in one way or
another the Tariff and Election bills shall be
brought to final action at this session.