New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-22
DTTY Or COURTESY

Some Senators wonder that their sincerity OF
purpose is questioned by the public. But are
thew not even now giving some excuse Tor Such
a doubt? They are Just beginning conSldera-
ton of the tariff. and behind that Is the Elec-
ton bill. These two measures, by nine-tenthS
of the Republican voters considered the most
imnortant that can come before Congress this
wear. are not brought up for discussion until
July 81, and yet Senators graVely attempt u
deal with them without changing the rules or
deyising any mode of limiting debate.
There is no excuse for doubt about the pur-
nose of Democrats They publicly bOaStcd be-
fore the session began, and are openly boaStlng
now that they will not allow either OF these
measures to pass, if they have to talk all the
fall They have even published elaborate cal
citations that, with only one or two Senators
TO hold the floor and demand quorum ana Il
call of the Senate from time to time they can
keep the entire majority awake night ana DAY
for weeks until it breaks down from sheer
exhaustion. They are frank enough to reckon
that over a thousand distinct items III the
Tariff bill can each be made the subject OF
several amendments, and on each amendment
a Senator can be prepared to debate for hours
absolute power Democrats boast, to render the
passage of bill impossible, and that power
they intend to exercise because no longer per
mitt,d in the House to block legislation by I'LL
clustering.
If is in the face of these and many similar
declarations that Republican Senators dccilhe
to alter their rules and graycly begin to discuss
the tariff. Republican voters throughout the
country do not know how to reconcile this con-
duct with the professions of Senator'S Inc
voters feel that these two measures are OF IN
caculable Importance. Upon them depend
Republicans believe, the prosperity OF lndus-
tries and of business, the purity OF elections
and the chance of eleCtng Congressman mere
after who vii! protect home industry. 1t seems
amazing to them that any Republican Senator
who cares for the principles of the party or IN
any degree respects its wish can refuse or
even hesitate to provide for restriction of de
bate and of dilatoIy motions. How can these
voters help asking whether such a senator Is
sincere in attachment TO Republican principles
There has been talk enough about the
courtesy of the Senate TO nauSeate " the pam
peOple" Even schOolbOys III their DEBATING or
other societies know better than to put them
selves at the mercy of few wlndmuS or KICK
ers, as the Senate has done. The Senate Is
an instrument of the people, and they are
getting disguised with the notion that It's GUS
toms AM. its airs are of more consequence than
the peoples business. 1t is not club for the
delectation of rich men, or the rest OF the
superannuated Men who want courtesy or
society, or comfort, more than the discharge OF
public duties, have no business i'll that body
whatever. Let the people once have reason to
believe that the Senate has come 10 be an OBJ
stace to the welfare Of the country, and there
will soon be a tremendous revolution IN It's
membership. If Senators are wise, they Will
see to it that no delay in changing the rules
of the Senate exposes great public interests
to sacrifice.