Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1894-05-24
THE SENATE.

Nearly year ago III began 10 De
suspected that the Senate was no longer
in touch with the people; and since
then the suspicion has become GER
tainty. Where the people looked for
broad consideration and careful pro-
vision for the needs of the whole ma
ton, they have found only a blind
regard for sectional or class interests.
sInstead of the calm and enlightened
deliberation which it was expected
would lead the upper house to the
wise and permanent solution OF public
questions, there seems to exist only an
infatuation for endless discussion and
an incapacity to act at all. Those
traditions of lofty patriotism, sound
craftsmanship and unblemished honor
which made the Senate in the past
pre-eminent among the legislatures of
the world, seem to have power no
longer; and the Senate of today ex-
hibits only puerile devotion to the
mere husk of Senatorial courtesy,
so-called; which may, indeed be SIN
cere, but which at times seems to be
only the cloak for motives and acts
which its devotees would not dare to
avow openly.
To make the situation worse, the IN
tegritv of Senators has come to be
seriously doubted. Several weeks
ago startling operations IN the stock of
the sugar trust gave rise to suspicious
that they were connected with the
manipulation of the sugar schedule IN
the tariff bill while in committee. a
resolution to investigate charges that
individual Senators had profted by
these operations was defeated IN a
spirit that savored more of the naughty
arrogance of irrepressible power than
of the confidence of conscious virtue.
Following this was the charge that the
sugar trust had contributed half
million to the Democratic campaign
fund, upon the assurance of certaln
Senators that its interests should not
be prejudiced by the coming reform OF
the tariff. More recently we have
heard rumors d an enormous cOrrup-
ton fund raised by protected manu-
facturers to secure the defeat of the
tariff bill. Last of all, and corrobora-
tive of the rest, is the exposure Of bare
faced attempts to bride two Senators to
vote against it.
Such charges might perhaps be best
treated with silent contempt if they
were irresponsible aspersions upon a
legislative body strongly intrenched
in the confidence and respect Of the
people; but when their object Is a
body discredited to such an extent as
is the present Senate, that course
would be suicidal. If the Senate
would save itself it must order and
execute the most rigorous and search
ing investigation; and the facts no
matter how damaging to individuals,
must be widely published. In no
other way can it be reinstated in pub
lie confidence. Any attempt at con-
cealment, however wise in It's notion
and purpose, can only blast the repu-
tation of the body still further, in view
of the present temper of the people.
And should any be found guilty, he
must suffer the full penalty of his
crime, without respect to person OF
party. The diseased member must be
unAinchingly sacrificed if the health
of the whole body would be preserved
Thus in the lowest depths to which ii
has fallen or can fall, the Senate may
find the opportunity to rise once more
to its pristine vigor and honor and its
proper place in the affection and rev.
erence of the people; and its threat
! III ,.,,;,, Iooo,,as ;+c Gnal ra1emntiOn