Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-10-24

at snail's pace along under most Of its
present code for about Il century There
have been valiant assaults upon the
structure. all TO little purpose. That to
come will not be u new discussion, hut
Il new debate of a very old subject.
This time the clouds are gathering
heavy and black and threaten Il storm
which will 50 more tiercely rage than
those of the pdst rs to promise more
definite damage to those old usages.
Something will result. IL will take long
debate, will provoke heated urgument
and bad tempers, but something OF
change will come. The outlook now jus
titles the prediction that before anything
else Is done. before the repeal Of the
purchasing clause OF the sherman law
is any nearer accomplished than il is
tonight, radical change will be made in
the senate rules,
The old ainlcss and rudderless vessel
has been struck by new gale and is
moving 70 definite port, 1t Is beinA
moved by the greatest of all public mo-
tors--common ridiculc. IL could stand
abuse. glory IN opposition defy com.
mands, he deaf 10 argument, but Will
Ni'hrr h7fnr' r'licu'c.
Its utter inability. to manage itself or
10 get anywhere on any desired line OF
action has mndciils incompetency a BY
word In the months of even those WHO
oppose its struggling progress.
II has been likened to many things.
Today it has been most like capsized
turtic-unable to move and making wig
orous but Intellectual efforts with all of
It's upturned legs This was the purpose
before all of the members, vixen the
clear. bright October morning found
them at the capitol. But during the ron-
tine business of the morning hour de-
bate was preciptated on this parliament
tary question. an in spite of the frantic
efforts of leaders to turn the channel OF
debate back TO the daily lesson, the
Carrulous body refused 10 be confined
aud wandered Violently and bitterly along
ali day on this subject of amended rules.
1t became so Interested that i is easy
10 see how the discussion will be CON
tinued tomorrow and pursued TO close
at some early date within the next Few
weeks. II will become question more
absorbing than repeal. and from tl;e
spirit in which the discussion began II Is
easy to predict that some positive action
will be taken 10y the majority OH q sub
iect about which there is less sentiment
than national tnunce.
il is a deep question and one Of really
more Importance thaii any slhgis iesislae
tive act Ii involves the whole future OF
senatorial legislation. Whether man
be in favor Of or opposed to the uncondi-
tionnl repeal of the Sherman law makes
little difference IN tie contemplation Oh
the right of the majority In the upper
mouse 10 40 DuslnesS uhl " ANPl'HNh, wv
will of n majority Of the people whose
preferment their numbers express,
All good Democrats are fixed believers
In the rights Of minorities. minority
Is n safety bulwark IN popular govern
ment. Its purpose Is 90 restrain me
unbridled win Of the majority. IT. has
10 exercise that best governmenial fuhc-
ton Of watchful restriction. Being a
portion Of the government ny OF ana
for the people. It has a right to leave
Its impress on legislation exactly IN pro-
portion to its strength. The minority
has great duty N the working of big
governmental machine, and If II do its
duty well without hostility and with only
uesire for recognition IN proportion 10
Its strength. no governmental office can
be more periodically performed.
But has Il ever the right to completely
block legislatiOni Has II ever the right
even under the most liberal construction
Z of its powers 10 prevent any expression
whatever of the viii uf a majority OF the
people as represented by their chosen
representatives,
Can It ever be- said as long as the popu-
lar system under which We live j. &C
knowledged 70 be good ikat q majority
In congress misrepresents the wishes OF
the majority OF their c1nstituenisg
I Is Il not the duty Of The majority TO
/ force their will IN tie senate wherever
| that will leads aud however much You
What viii elsevise become Of he lcgis-
| lation Of the future? Nl1. will become
\ Of the repeal Of the obnoxious election
| laws to which the Democratic party Is
| pledged II the Republican senators are
! allowed to carry ont their open threats
Of another force blll iilibuster against f.?
What will become Of promised party re-
forms. the tariff for revenue
bill II 1t Is allowed 10 enter the senate
with the present lax laws IN force md
! the extreme determination Of vlsi cor
poraie protected interests to fight lis pas
| sage to the ends
| These dunstions are risin. In the sena-
ioFial MUD and arr assuming such over
wheinlng importance rs 70 make some
| change near and absolutely accessory
II Is trne tina; tile pending financial issue
viii enter largely into the debase for the
I intradncfion 81 new rules. but there il
more IN It than fhe REPEAL hiii q. aad no no
partr man. however opposed 10 the pas
sage Of the present measure, Should III
oe himself to be blinded g me S,d assIss, e,
sixer 10 force him 10 al. open
approval Of the present h 4pi.-s
condition Of the senate OF tAe uhi'sn