The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-10-20
SEATTLE. rnrDAr. ocE 20.


Senator MiIIs, OF Texas, was exactly
night when on Wednesday last he said he
had decided to listen to no talk Of CON-
promise that involved concession OF the
fundamental right Of the majority TO rule.
The iaacsion Of the senate IL due 10 the
obstructive opposition Of the silver party
In that body, which IL made up OF not
more than eleven Republicans, three or
four Popuiisis and at least twenty-five
Democrats. The great majority OF the Re-
pnbiieans and minority Of the Democrats
who make majority OF the senate. have
wanted TO vote 10 repeal the purchase
clause Of the Sherman law for two months
past. but the minority, more than two
thirds OF which are Democrats. viii not
permit vote TO be taken. Stewart, Teller,
Wolcott and Dubois. from the silver states.
are not more jealous in opposing this re-
peal of silver purchase than are Cockrei.
Morgan, Pggh. Harris, Vest, Vance and
Butler. the leaders of the Democratic party
in the senate.
Senator Mills. OF Texas. Is right when
he says that important as is the direct
question of legislation involved it Is far
less important than the question of rights
OF the people which this minority seeks to
destroy. II l. an abuse and q usurpation !:
en- unprlncipled attempt 20 defy and
defeat the will OF the majority. This is
Why Senator Mills, with characteristic
force and irankness. declares that he will
not accept = compromise which estab-
fishes tho rule Of the minority.
Nineteen out of lightweight senators
have declared that they will not allow q
vote to be taken. Senator Mills evidently
believes that President Cleveland would
not accept a compromise, for the triumph
OF the minority In that way would be the
absolute surrender of the majority. Sem
ator Mills holds that the issue has ceased
20 be simply that of the passage of the re-
peal bill; II has become question Of the
right of the country to government at the
hands Of the majority OF its Legislature.
The Republicans. outside the eleven
from the silver mining states and Cam
eron of Pennsylvania, stand solid for re-
real. propose no compromise. and leave
the question of compromise wholly with
the Democrats. Il there is to be compro-
mise II must come from tue Democratic
side. The Republicans have no eompro-
mise 10 offer; they are not responsible for
the determination of the senate. II the
Democratic managers can bring il to a
vote the Republicans are ready 90 vote for
al a "A l. a.. 4
the Democratic repeal managers are in
earnest. they cannot force vote.
A correspondent of the New York Sun
points ont that the continuous session Of
the senate in order 10 pass the repeat bin
II unnecessary. lie argues that the fact
that no rule has been adopted by the
senate upen the subject of cIo;nrc does
not prevent the senate by majority vote
from liking dsy Tor iinal action upon the
repeal bill. lie holds that the presiding
officer OF the senate or the senate itself by
majority vote on an appeal from his de-
eizion could cut of debate upon such q
motion as the adoption of eloture reso.
luton.
lt is inconeeivahle that under our gov.
ernment, as az present organized, a small
minority IN the senate can indehnitelv.
ilimi;ably block all legislation. OF course
IL the silver senators can block the repeal
bib. a small body Of determined Repab.
lean senator's by the same obstructive tao.
ties can block any tariff bill or the bin ,e
repeal the Federal election laws.
The action suggested by the correspond
ent Of the Ssa woeld be instantly executed
tomorrow II Democrat of the quality OF
the late Samuel ], Randall presided over
the senate and the repeal senators decided
10 rrsolutely force vote. Sam Randall 81
Tom Reed would direct the clerk 70 cal
the roll; would promptly count all sena
tors present rs q enoFam: the bill would be
passed. signed hv the president. weald hs
respected by the Federal executive dspAr,.
msst sustained by the publle opinion and
the courts. The correspondent Of the \, :
concludes as follows.
at seems Go ms that the most isnporssnt
question row before the country - nor
the sttksT question, nor the tart IL qaes tiou.
nor the Federal elections question. bnt
the question whether our legislative svs-
ten must 10 admitted "a be = cosnt,lste
failure. ilo yoU n9s wish that soma
Democratic senator would arise " sth SORE
thing 81 tlse force Of character ard roarsee
II the Hen. Thomas Bracket Re<df"
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THE CONDITION oF TnE rrnra.r