The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1894-12-29
A SPIRIT or LErHARGT.


vsm6er would close the career of
Senator d. B. Hill, may or may not be
correct. But be has IN his rscsut
speech favoring cloiurs, from which
we quote, proved that be i. neither
soured nor snlzer; that be il abso-
lutely free from that last resort OF DO
li'ical defeat, the pal ade Of q grievance:
Sin my humble Judgment 1t was the
inereusable delay in legislation In 1898
and 1884 which largely contributed To
the defeat Of the Democratic party
everywhers this year. The people
wanted the silver question and the
tariff question disposed Of within =
reasonable time In order that business
men might know upon what they
could depend, and thsy saw no reason
Tor the liberation Of unlimited debate
In regard TO the very questions upon
which the people had deliberately and
intslllgently passed In 1892. The House
OF Representatives. with q member
ship Of 1856 In number. actsd with
diligence because Its rules enabled the
majority to force vote after reason
able debate.
"Ths course Is a. open a. II ever
will be for such q change. II has
been generally conceded that, what
ever 10 done should be done at time
Ike this, with no political legislation
under actual connderation, and no
undue advantages to bs derived for
any political party, and with a Senate,
whose political complexion In the i'm
mediate future is a. yet uncertain
"Undsr what more fitting or favor
able auspices could an appropriate op-
portunity be presented In the inaugu-
ration ofa much needed parliamentary
rsform2
ain view Qfthe situation the expe-
dIency Of present action is clear. The
responsible majority In the Senate
should not abdioate ito functions dur
Ing the remainder Of its sscendsncy
here but firmly assert them by prompt
ly adopting amendments so just and
90 reasonable that an enlightened pub
lie sentiment will compel their retention
after our control shall have ceased.
II IL o. certain ~ anything In polit-
ical affairs eau bs, that when our Re-
publican friends obtain control Of this
body and desire to enact important
legislation TO carry out their princi-
Piles, they will boldly amend the rulss
to enable them 10 do II promptly, and
their reluctance TO join with us now
in framisg reasonable rules to regu-
late debate leads 10 the suspicion that
they intend something altogether
more radical and sweeping than We
have proposed. The path OF safety
lies in moderate and conservative ac-
tive action now, while the opportuni-
ty remains to us, thereby satisfying
the demands OF the people, who have
become impatient al our delays, and
disgusted at our inability to act
promptly at critical periods.
"Bssides thsro 10 another view Of
our duty which presents itself, and
which ought not 10 be ignored.
"The President In his recent annual
message has sees fit 10 recommend
certain legislation pertaining to the
tsrif-a few material notifications Of
the existing law. | believe that those
recommendation are entitled to con-
sideration. But spirit Of lethargy
seems to have crspt over this body,
creating the general Impression that
nothing 10 to be enacted this session
Of political nature, or at least moth
ing 10 which the minority dees not
consent. ain strsnuously opposed
TO any such policy OF insction.
awe owe II to the country, we owe
II to the party to which we profess al
legiance, and we owe 1t to ourselves
that before the control passes from US
We should endeayor to fully redeem
our pledges and to correct any mis-
takes which may have been committed.
y
| Cloturs with reasonable safeguards
surrounding 1t, Is clearly unobjsotion-
able, and sooner or later 1t will be
adopted. am in favor of 1t now,
while the Democrats are In power, or
are supposed to be in power; but II 1t
| fails now | shall be In favor ofit when
the Republicans come IN power.
No silly cry Of "gag law" no false
assertion Of "suppressiDg debate" no
idle clamor about "the tyranny OF the
majority" which always Ignores the
tyranny OF the minority, no threat or
specter of the dead "force BILL" should
| bs permitted to deter Us frsm our
plain duty to lnaugurate this parlia-
menlary reform, - essential to US
now, il we desire by needed legisls-
tiop to build up and strengthen our
shattered party rather than allow 1t
to die of the "dry-rot."
There have been many severe words
spoken of Senator Hill by Democrats
of late. But tLsre are few who will
not recognize wise party counsel in