St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-09-28
THE TWO POINTS oEYIEW

THE TWO POINTS OF VIEW.
We have read with care the speech
delivered by Senator Turpie in opposi-
ton tothe resolution offered by Senator
Plat having for its purpose the closing
OF debate on any question when the ma
Jority were of the opinion that deliber-
alton had ceased and obstruction had
begun. We read it with the greater in
tereSt because the senator is man of
reputed wisdom and ability, and feeling
that he would present the cause of the
ObStructioniStS with clearneSS and con-
vincng force.
We confess to disappointment and
surprise; disappointment with the in
sutficiency of his argument and surprise
at the revelation it affords OF tine view
senators take of themselves and Stneir
office. Reading it, we get glimpse of
that spirit which asserted the divinity of
the rights of kings; which asserted that
the king can do no wrong. The concep-
ton prevailing among plaiu, everyday
people of what senators are is brushed
away, and i'll its place we see a body of.
men who regard themselves as a con-
ciave of independent sovereigns, jealous
of their dignities, precise i'll punctiiio,
mantled in impeccability and wrapped
in self-sufficiency.
We do not eXaggerate. The action of
the senate corroborates the views of
Senator Turpie. He says that the state
ment that 1.-THE majority rule'' in this
country is much too broad;" that the
senate is not voting body, not a de-
batting body, but it ''is the greatest de-
Lucrative body in the world, and delib-
Grafton does not mean debate alone, but
prlvy conferences" Obstruction is
never obstruction in that body; it is
only deliberation. 1t may defeat the
measure pending, but it is still only
deliberation, and this is a bull Apis so
holy that it is better measures be de-
feated by non-action than that dellber-
alton be compulsorily ended. There is
but one way, he tells us, in which the
senate Can be brought to vote upon
any measure. land that way is the way
of unanimous consent" So long as one
member says that he has not deliberated
enough on the measure the remaining
elghty-four members are helpless to
bring the matter to vote.
This view of senatorial privilege and
function is so far distant from that held
by the common people of the land that
we wonder if we are wrong, or if only
that these our Caesars have fed on some
strange meat that they are grown so
great. As seen from the ground, these
men are but mortals, selected by the
people from other mortals just as we'll
endowed. to transact for all of US GER
tain matters entrusted to them. The
common notion prevails that they are to
debate the various methods presented
for tranSacting this business, using their
best endeavors to select the best of
them; that it is their duty to make such
selection after suitable deliberation and
to use such means as may be needed to
bring about the decision. That is what
they are there for, land all they are there
for.
AS we. below this pedestal OH which
the senators have exalted themselves,
see It, there is no need for rule to end
debate any more than there is for rule
that Judge or jury should decide the
matters submitted to them; it is ne
cesSity of the very existence of the SEN
ate. Senator Lodge was right when he
said that ''deliberation without decision
is imbecility." The body OF men, met
anywhere to adopt any course. which
admits that it cannot come to a de-
cision. admits that it has no reason for
existing. We are not sure but that the
senator from Indiana has put power
full weapon into the hands of those who
are asking of what use is our house of
lords. Surely there can be no proof so
conclusive of its uselessuess as is this
admission that it cannot come to a de-
ciSlon save by unanimous consent. We
believe that tho right to vote and the
duty to vote coincide whenever de-
liberation ends in either a covert
or open obstruction. A senator or
representative has done his full duty
when he has presented his reasons
against proposed measure and casts
his vote against it. We believe that we
express the view of every man of capdor
ana common sense when we say that it
is not alone the right, but the impera-
tive duty, of the majority of any de-
Lucrative body to prevent more OBJ
struction by bringing the discussion to
an end and the matter to vote. 1t is
well that these senators should under
stand that this is the view taken OF them
and their duty by the people, and that
the public has no patience with the airs
they are giving themselves.