The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-20
THE SENATE RULES.
A Change Would Be Followed ny
Ruinous Partisan Legislation.

Philadelphia Telegraph
In the midst of this deplorable muddle the
demand is renewed that the rules of the
Senate shall undergo radical ana lmmc-
date change, yet those most urgent IN
making this suggestion are utterly unable
TO show how their IDEAS can be successfully
carried out. The proposition, for instance,
that the Vice President shall assume arpi.
trary powers would not receive the support
of half dozen men in the Senate, and for
obvious reasons. If such a precedent should
be established the rule made would be
liable to abuse at any time for partisan,
personal or other purposes. The Vice Pres
ident can exercise no such power. He is
not member Of the Senate. He cannot
make it's rules and must be governed by
those formulated and recognized by the
body over which he presides The Presi-
S is IN P ful ' sVpathv With the silver men
and in the chair he would never turn his
back upon them.
There has been such thing "the
previous question in the Senate for very
many years and the chances are not one in
hundred for the re-establshment OF this
parliamentary rule therein at this time.
Immense interests are at stake political,
commercial, financial, etc. If the Senate
should adopt the House rules the Repub-
There would be such a sweep of partisan
legislation as has not been witnessed in a
generation. The dominant element i'm the
party IN power at this time, as represented
in both houses, is bitterly hostile TO the
continuance of certain legislation, the re-
peal of which would certainly be attended
by the most lamentable consequences And
there is every reason to believe that the
executive is in full sympathy with the
movement to wipe these great laws from
the federal statute books. Mr.. Cleveland
has said but little upon this subject, but
what he has said has been full of signifi-
canoe. He believes the work Of the Re
publican party to be the embodiment of
political evils, and earnestly desires to see
the present Congress carr things with
high hand from the partisan standpoint
For this reason alone, therefore the Re-
publican Senators will not put a rope about
their own necks which may be used TO
strangle the life out of their political organ
ization The great Industrial interests OF
the country, looking with fear and tremb-
ling at the prospect Of ruinous tariff legis-
against being placed at the mercy of the
revolutionary makers of the Chicago plat
form. 1t is folly to expect the Senate to
make drastic rules to cut off debate and
force vote on single measure. Further,
there Is not a Senator on the Democratic
sons. object to having himself bound hand
and foot by the adoption OF parliamentary
regulations such as are proposed.
Judge Cooley is quite right in declaring
that minority rule is revolutionary, sub
versve of republican government, destruc-
tive TO free institutions. and all that sort of
thing. But neither Judge Cooley nor any
other man mas yet shown that this battle
in the Senate is ANYTHING of the kind. The
number of speeches on each side have near
ly balanced each other and a numhar -,
those whose names nave been used in fc-
titious summaries of votes, as they would
| be cast, have never given any authorize
| ton therefor. 1t Is deadlock with a
| multiplicity of conflicting interests and the
/, only thing clear is that the country is now
| reaping some of the fruits of it's gigantic
| mistake when it gave a commission of
| national power to a political organization
that is utterly unable to rule itself, much
| less rule the Nation Until the Democratic
| party makes up its own mind as TO what IL
| proposes to do, nothing apparently will be
| done. 1t is a most costly object lesson. one
| that will not be forgotten for long time
/ 10 come.