The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-10-25

r. II. HOSKINS, NJ. D............."NewportV VT,
Agricultural Editor.
THE hollowness of the democratic
contention, that the prevailing business
depression is all attributable to the
Sherman act, is strikingly shown by
the fact that the democratic senators
almost to man, in writing have sig
nified their willingness to continue, in
q most aggravated form for one year,
the purchase clause of the act they
have so roundly denounced Ia other
words, they have signifed their readi-
ness to keep the country for the space
of one year on downward grade to
destruction at an accelerated rate of
speed. -
THE irrresolution, inefficiency and
vacillation exhibited by the democrats
in the senate, in the crisis that con-
fronts them, strikingly illustrates the
incapacity of that party and shows how
great is its deficiency in real statesman
ship. Under the rule of such Estates
men," what might have become of this
Union in the supreme crisis of genera
ton ago? The vision that Webster
prayed might never confront his gaze
might have materialized, and 1.-The
broken and dishonored fragments of
once glorious Union might now strew
the great midland section of the North
American continent.
SENATOR HILL of New York has
made record in the senate during the
past week. In plain, direct, resolute
language, he has declared for vote on
the pending question. He has re-
affirmed the ruling he made while pres
ident of the New York senate, that SEN
ators present and not voting should be
counted to make quorum, and he has
introduced measure providing for the
closure of debate after debate has evil
IDENTIFY become obstructive. The sturdy
stand he has taken, the clever hits he
has given brother democrats of the OPP
position, have won the applause even
of those who have hitherto been his Sc
verest critics. The senator has been
exhibiting the qualities of real and
manful leadership.
THE issue in the senate has become
far broader than question of financial
policy. 1t is indeed the broadcast that
can be raised in this government. High
above any question of financial pol
icy is the maintenance of the right
of the majority to rule. Compromise
now, of any kind, is abject and inglori-
GUS surrender. Compromise will be,
considering all the aggravated circum-
stances under which compromise must
be brought forward, the triumph of a
minority that has overstepped the
outermost limits of the rights of mi
norities and passed far beyond into the
regions of open and defiant rebellion.
The majority cannot now consent to
parley with the minority. The terms
that Grant gave the rebel general at
Fort Donelson are the only terms the
majority in the senate can offer to an
obstructive and revolutionary minority.
Unconditional surrender is the only
compromise that can with honor be
proposed and accepted. A loyal re-
publican majority in the United States
senate at this time would move upon
the rebellious minority's works and en-
force surrender.
In letter replying to inquiries by
Hon. j. W. Stewart, Ex-senator Ed
munds shows how the senate could be
brought to vote without changing ex-
listing rules. The rules of the senate,
he says, do not permit senator to
speak indefinitely either on the pend
ing question or at large they do not
say that the senator having the floor is
the sole judge, or whether his remarks
are pertinent to the question. The
substance of the rules is that no men,
Der of the legislative body shall be dis
orderly, uncivil or obstructive, and that
he shall speak to the point. If any
senator, or any number of senator's,
shall appear to be transgressing any of
these provisions, he may be called to
order and if the mint Of order ia sus
tanned, he cannot proceed without
leave. The result is that the senate is
competent to determine at any time
whether any senator or senators are
abusing the privilege of debate or trans
crossing the orderly course of the bust
ness of the body. If, in the circum-
stances now existing in the senate, any
senator should raise the question that