The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-04-21
THE SENATE AN OBSTACLE,

1
| 1t is remarkable coincidence that now
wherever the bicameral system of legis.
tion is in vogue it is being severely criti-
cised. England is on the point Of reor-
ganizing or dispensing with the tradi-
tional House of Lords. France and Italy
have little use for their upper houses
and the people of the United States have
had their patience sorely tested by the
y. s. Senate. Our two house system Of
Legislation was of course copied from the
English, but there seems to be little rea.
son why we should have two houses in
our legislative system. In England the
House of Lords and the Commons repre-.
sented different classes of society in time
past. There was sufficient reason for
the existence Of the House OF Lords.
Great Britain had two jealous classes
| whose interests clashed. The Commons
| were ever asking for greater privileges,
the Lords were equally jealous of what
they considered their rights. There was
no such reason for the existence OF our
Senate, we are all commoners and always
have been. But it was the fond dream
Of Hamilton and other Federalists that
the members of the Q. S. Senate, being
chosen by such intelligent electors as
the legislatures OF the different states,
would be men of exceptional ability and
virtue. Elected for long terms they
would be above partisan politics. AS
judges in impeachment cases and court
of approval in case of treaties or appoint.
ments they were expected to be severely
impartial and bipartisan. It was to be.
q body of dignifed, cultured, conserve
tive men; the advisers Of the president
and guardians of the treasury. Such was
the ideal Senate in 1887. But what is
the Senate today? Instead of being the
advisers of the president and impartial
judges of appointments they are the OK.
tremest partieans and opponents Of good
appointments. Only few weeks ago
We saw two appointments to the supreme
bench disapproved because they were
offensive to man who was sent to the
United States Senate as reward for po-
litical services. It is universally admitted
that both appointments were eminently
qualified for the positions to which they
were appointed.
The Senate is today as it has been for
years the stumbling block in the way OF
executing the wishes of the people. The
people of this country are not now in a
mood to be triaed with; but still there is
band of senators calling themselves
Democrats, led by man who has been
pleased to say, II am Democrat" aid
ing the Republicans in obstructing the
progress of the tariff bill. Senator Hill
does not like the Cleveland administers
ton. He sees no good connected with
the White House, and yet it is strange
that he should attempt to do that very
thing which he admits will send the
Democratic party to defeat to delay or
for the time defeat tariff legislation. He
says he is in favor Of tariff reform-so
are all Democrats, but he is opposed to
the income tax-so are many other Dem
ocrata. Let him suggest q remedy and
not aid the Republicans in course Of
delay, the blame forswhioh will fall upon
the Democratic party. Senstor Hill
must know that the only way to save the
respect Of his party Is by acting with It.
t oan not be possible that the Senate
has not yet learned the significance Of
tho elections q 1890 and 1904 We oan-