Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-06-03
THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
Its Dignity Lessened and the Body Brought
Into CONTEMPT

ibto contempt
To the Editor Of the Dispatch;
"Why in that elder day
To be a Roman was greater than a king"
Ii is perfectly safe to assert that in
the century OF it's existence the Senate
OF the United States has never done so
much to lessen its own dignity and in
huence and to bring itself into contempt
as It did during the extra session OF 1893
and the last two months OF its present
session.
The trainers Of the Constitution intend
ed the Senate 10 be a breakwater. be-
hind which the best interests Of the peo-
pie might take shelter against 'he storms
OF secuonalism. the malign-AL party
strife, and the ciap-trap and clamor
that might arise In the popular branch
OF the National Legislature Time and
again 1t has served this purpose. and
with majestic nien has awed into silence
the stormy turbulence OF the lower house.
But all this IS changed. and 10 some
extent the people themselves are 10 be
blamed. By repeated re-eections and
heightened tenure of office senator's have
lost all sense of responsibility. This per.
nicious practice has pampcred the Senate
into an insolent disregard Of the wishes
OF the people, as expressed through their
immediate representatives.. and has rem
dered that body ridoulously punctilious
as To its assumed prerogltiyes and privi-
leges. II pooh-pOohs suggestions Of Stat.
legislatures. sits do~n upon the rr.ss.
patronzes the House OF Rep Ssentatives.
snaps It's fingers at criticism. ana dsas:
the Executive. Its rotten usages and
cumbersome courtesles have become ia
everybody but a senator subject Of
derision and contempt. And vet with a
smirk or ineffable cOnceit ii throws the
toga around its pot-beliy. and with spln.
die-shanks struts with mock majesty
across the stage, on which II displays the
Vapld inanity OF its opera boufre.
NAUSEA.
Who can ever forget or remember
WITHOUT blush the part enacted BY the
senate IN the extra session Of last year?
Inc President convened Congress to sa-
cure the repeal Of the Sherman act. The
House. with commendable promptitids
passed the repeal bill. But what ways
OF nausea roll through our ueacenu
breasts as We recall the mouthings of
recalcltrant senator's as they sputtered
ana perspired through the weary. drearv
days OF sO-called d bate.
Inc country, owing TO the uncertainty
or congressional action. was within, in
the throes OF widespread panic: banks
were suspending. and money. taking
fright was lost from the channels OF
uade; but above the crash Of financial
wreck. the babble and the gabble az ,hs
Senate went relentlessly on.
ana now we have a repetition Of the
ioIly and criminality OF last wear Cani.
tal Is headed, labor is unemployed tr1de
~ stagnant, while the tariff bin Is Noun.
ed over and mauled out OF all shan IN
the senate chamber while armies of yaga.
Donus hatGh on Washington, lured by the
! rancorous braying Of some wids.n,.,,,ba,I
| senator. Poor. pitiful Senate: the tbrot
Yea victim OF its own rules ton-heavv
with ITS assumed dignity, staggering nm.
der the weight OF It's ridiculous non,.
posity' It's little legs will give out aft~,
awhile and the country will get role,
MGREGOR.