New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-16
SENATOR'S DISAGREE.

The failure of Republican Senators in caucus
TO agree respecting their action on important
measures will be 4 grave disappointment 10
Renublican voters There has been much
m,iet confidence that. when action should be-
coma necessary. there would be found in the
Senate enough of patriotic yielding of indi-
yidual preferences, and enough appreciation
of the duties and needs Of the party to insure
success in all measures OF vita! importance.
The failure of Senators to agree seems to fen-
der the action of that body uncertain as TO
more than one bill which the country needs
and which the party ought to pass.
In natural disappointment there will be some
tendency to defeat measures in which especial
interest has been shown by Senators who are
prominent in sacrificing the Election bill. rs
to bills "with money in them" which such
Senators or rich capitalists who influence taem
are particularly anxious to have passed this
feeling is likely t. find expression. 1t ought
not 10 endangcr the Tariff bill. which Is equally
with any other political duty as well Is a
mbljc necessity. it would not be strange il
some provisions Of that measure, in which par
ticular Senators feel an interest, should fail b
sccur, necessary support. The obvious duty
OF le lDIltilN - lt\ ~ save gnu N''''
through rs much as they can Of the wise lcgis-
lation which has been devised for the public
welfare, and in the House brought To final
action. The country will not suffer II River
and IIarbor and Public buildings bills and
many others of like nature 60 10y the board.
But the prosperity of great industries. which
depends upon the adoption OF better dcienceS
70! American labor, ought not 10 be sacrificed
because individuals nave mciited ccnSurc.
1t is not a time just now to fix responsibility
for the failure Of the senate t. perform It's
duties more satisfactorily. The people VIII mol
be slow 70 recognize that this responsibility
rests largely with those who refused, month
after month. their assent l. any Limitation o!
the Obstructive power Of the minority. Nor
will there be wanting earnest and unforSctilng
Republicans who will compare the names OF
those who sand in the way Of III Election
bill with the names hoastiully given by Dem
ocfatic organs weeks ago, when they announced
that few silver extremists had bargalned
with Democrats II defeat that hi IN eNchang
for unlimited coinage. The existence Of any
such agreement was denied. But the recorded
action OF some Senators speaks ~ Loudly thai
words may have less weight than they wish
The people will judge Meanwhile kcpnh-
canS viii hope that the Senate may nov try
though August is half gone, t. get done Is
much good and as little harm rs il can.
Even senator Edmuhds's very moderate reSo-
luton for the limitation Of debate on the 1arii
bill was not acted upon by the caucus. possibly
in the idoa that it would hardly suffice 10 secure
a final vote on the TanG bill alone bofor" the
Slows OF December come. unless supplemented
by some agreement with the minority. Pre-
sumably some weeks more Of delay will re-
suit before the majority in the senate will con
! cludc to exercise the powers that belong = IT
and every week Of delay means loss OF mill
! ions to The iaboying population. But for at
| this Senators will answer 10 their constituents
! The part Of Republicans just now Is - urg,
| the senate to do whatever il is able II do will
rs little further delay a, possible But moth
ing is likely t. be accomplished until the onn
ate has modified its rules. That Is now H.
first and most important duty.