Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-10-13
The Repeal Bill in the Senate.

The repeal bill will probably pass th'
Senate. There is hardly any doubt that
vote will be taken, and a majority OF thu
Senators are known to favor repeal. Th'
attitude of the minority Of the Senate il
perplexing and discouraging. 1t shows
distinct and extensive degradation. The
Senate has been looked 1pon as body o
great dignity. 1t has been regarded by
political philosophers, at home and abroad
as one of the fnestlegislative organizations
in the world. 1t is evident, however, tt
observers of its present attitude that it Ii
living on its traditions. Until recent year;
the rule of courtesy which required thai
every Senator should be heard as often as
he desired to speak was not abused. The
rule put Senators on their honors, and they
we're governed by their self-respect and
their regard for the rights of their fellow
Senators. The Senators of the elder day
did not resort to obstruction, because OBJ
struction ought to be reserved as the re-
sort of a minority whose rights are. so
threatened that they are ready to 60 to the
verge of rebellion and revolution.
Times have changed. The Senators who
threaten to defeat the repeal bill BY fill
clustering are angrily protesting against
what they call the oppression of the mild
leadership of Mr.. voorhees,, who simply
asks them to fix day when they will be
ready to take vote. Relying on tradi-
tional courtesy, they decline to permit the
Senate to vote on the pending bill. They
have asserted on the floor that, rather than
permit vote, they will put tho majority
to the inconvenience and to the danger to
health and life of continuous and all-night
sessions. The traditional courtesy of the
Senate protected Mr.. Stewart in rnffianly
attack on the President, which was an in
suit to the country and degrading to the
body by which the assault was tolerated.
Apparently the absence of restraint no
longer puts Senators on their honor. Once
the rule illustrated the conscience and
dignifed selfrespect of Senators; now it
seems to furnish an opportunity for Sena-
tors to defy the majority and the desires
and commands of the country.
The history of the relations of the Sen
ate to the bill does not end here. 1t is all
tale of petty politics that raises serious
question as to the constitution of the body.
Tricks have been proposed with the elect
ion bill; reprisals have been urged by the
protected interests; bargains have been
suggested by which the country's distress
might be relieved for price. All this
goes to the character of the Senate, and
the inquiry is raised as to its value-as to
whether, after all, the system that places
the small States on level with the large
States is not wrong; as to the wisdom OF
preserving the existing methods of electfng
Senators.
1t is because the Senate appears to have
fallen so low that repeal may be confident
ly expected. The logical outcome of the
position taken by the obstructionists has
been stated on the floor by several Sen
ators. 1t is that no vote can be taken ex-
ity and imbecility of this position is sure to
dawn upon the minds of those whose words
and conduct at present seem to indicate
that they are reckless and blinded by
fury Senators are beginning to realize
that the abuse Of the rule of courtesy must
result either in making the Senate useless
and hateful to the country or in the chang
ing of the rule, the non abuse of which here
otore has marked the Senate as the most
dignifed and independent legislative body
in the world. This being so, it is newt
able that obstruction should cease in time
and the bill pass. But, meanwhile, the
Senate's reputation has suffered serious
damage, from which it may never recover.
-Hayper's Feekly.