The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-23
THE OBsTRUCTIONIsTs OF THE
SENATE.

The obstructive position which GER
tain members Of the United STATES
Senate have taken in the mat
ter Of repeating the sherman
law is causing the country TO take
the matter into very serious considera-
ton, and a clear and decided opinion
in the premises is being rapidly formed.
| There is no question that the proceed
| ings in the House Of Representatives of
| the Fifty-flrst Congress-. when
| Thomas j. Reed was Speak n,
shocked the conservative senti-
| ment Of the country, ana reused
strong bias in favor Of condition Of
things under which a minority shall be
at all times able to compel acknowledge
ment and respect for its right 10 have
its views fully stated TO the world, and
fairly and candidly considered. But it
must always be borne in mind that in
his hgh-handed course of procedure
Reed was not executing and enforcing
rules that a majority of the House had
already adopted. What he did he did Of
his own Will, and with no authority for
it whatever, but the will and authority
Of Thomas 3. Reed. There was much in
the code of procedure which he admins.
tered that should rightfully find a place
in the rules of deliberative bodies, but
Reed had no authority to impose IL upon
the House. That could be done by the
Of IN gKi % H.
and it was neither more nor less than
the arbitrary act of tyrant for Reed to
use his power az Speaker to coerce a
minority, when the House itself had
adopted no rule that gave him the au-
thority to do this.
But, from the time that the partisan de-
bates Of the Fifty-first Congress took
place, until now, sensible and 1udicious men
have been inclining more and more to the
opinion that public necessities impera
lively require that all deliberative bodies
shall always have an organic and posi-
tive rule of procedure, that will at all
times give the majority of the body a
reasonable control over all the proceed
progress in public business is not posi-
BILE when arbitrary or wicked men choose
TO place themselves in the way as OBJ
structionists, and the public interests can
not be permitted to be at the mercy of
these. 1t is a perversion OF government
to permit the operation of such a prln-
ciple for one minute.
Public opinion is, therefore. rapidly
concentrating upon the point that the
United States Senate must abandon what
1t calls it's tradition" and it's dignity"
and adopt a rule for the government of
its procedure which Will enable a majority
Of its members to control its proceedings
whenever the public interests require
definite action on its part. We clip the
following from yesterdays Washington
POST
That resolution Of Senator Platt's pro-
Vid.ng means 20 close debate after five
days notice to the chair, was the sub
jet Of little family party for the Re-
publicans during the morning hour. bur
20 Democrat had word TO say for or
against it. Mr.. Plat called it up. setting
forth its necessity, from his standpoint.
in a clear speech. lie considered such n
measure necessary, because the rules of
the Senate which ought 10 facilitate bust
ness. made ii nearly impossible TO trans
act business. For this reason the Senate
was last losing the respect OF the people.
II was being compared to the English
House of Lords.
Amen. say we.