Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1890-07-31

WASHINGTON, July 80, 80.

Of late years the tendency in Ameri-
can Legislation has been in the direction
of curtailing consideration and utilizing all
possible speed to secure the enactment of
laws. On all sides there is a popular dispo-
sition to frown down anything looking to
elongated discussion and debate, and
the school of Statesmen which clings to
the old-fashioned ideas in this respect
find it quite difficult to secure an au-
dence for what they have to say.
There are many reasons for the adoption
of this abbreviated style of Legislation;
but, on the other hand, there is grave
danger that it may be as much abused as
the old method from which the Legisla-
tors and public seem so anxious to escape.
Unfortunately the American orator is
not so constituted that he is able to adapt
himself to the different public questions
with the correct moderation. He is
generally found at one extreme or the
other; either too serious at one time or
too frivolous at another. Very often he
indulges in lengthy and weary speeches
on a subject when few words would
be suffice, and then at times the most
momentous questions do not receive the
time or thought they call for. OF late
years the last evil pointed out seems to
be the rule. Measures of the gravest
import are hurried through Congress by
means of special rules and impromptu
decisions of the presiding officers, while
those of minor importance are taken up
to be discussed and considered at leisure
All along the line there seems to be
lack of ability to strike the happy
medium in Legislation. The trainers of
the Constitution were, of course, unable
to foresee the tendency of latter-day
statemanship, else they would probably
have provided for more marked policy
in this respect; but il is quite certain
that they did not intend the country to be
governed by such loose method in
its Legislative bodies. The example of
our early-day Legislators cannot be fol-
lowed to the letter with safety, as the
change in the times precludes that, but
to certain extent their rules governing
the consideration of public business can
be studied and much benefit derived
Congress can do no harm, even if the
principle is sometimes abused.
~
4 1t is safe to say that there is no con-
suming desired on the part of the Senate,
either by the adoption of stringent rules
or in the ordinary course, to crown its
work with the enactment of an election
law such as would be not only purely
partisan in it character, but of doubtful
partisan expedlency. Not that the Sem
ate is in the habit of being outdone by
the House, when it comes to questions
of partisanship, but there are a number
of Republican Senators who like to see
their way clear to safe and certain results
before committing themselves to the sup
port of Legislation so radical as to be revo-
lutionary, and it is extremely doubtful
whether quorum can be mustered to
pass the Force bill excepting as heroic
measure, necessitated by the obstructive
tactics of the opposition. The Tariff
bill is yet to be disposed of as by all
odds OF more Importance to the country
than the Force bill, even if the latter be
conceded all the merit that its advocates
claim for it; and the tariff discussion is
certain to consume good deal of time,
prolonging the session to a period when
it would be impracticable to apply the
machinery of the galvanized Davenport
law to this falls elections.
~
In speaking to a member of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee recently Mr..
Blaine indicated that he could be of
more advantage to the Republican party
and the country at large outside Of the
cabinet than as member of it. Blaine
regards as his most successful work of
his long public career the result obtained
by the Pan-American Conference, which
looked to new era of commerce and
relationship between this country and
Spanish-American Republics. The con-
clusions reached by that conference are
well known, but Blaine has been exceed
ingly disappointed by the fact that the
two Houses of Congress have been care
less AMI Indifferent in the matter of
carrying out the suggestions contained in
the recent messages transmitted by the
President on those subjects. Now Mr..
Blaine contemplates, it is said by his
friends, the idea of cutting loose entirely
from his official restraints, posing his
knightly lance once more, and dashing
down the cheering line flying pennon Of
reciprocity. This, in brief, is the posi-.
ton which Blaine is regarded as occupy
ing. If the opportunity does not seem
favorable he will not resign, otherwise
the event is regarded as probable.
~
The melancholy days have come in the
Legislative forum when matters have
become so warm that Reed can't longer
count quorum. r,