The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-01-23
what's the Matter with the Senator

What's the Matter with the Senate!
"what is the matter with, the United
states senate?" asks Walter Wcllman, in
a Washington letter what indeed? II
the truth must be told, it is q body in de
cadence The moral and intellectual
tone of the SENATE are both falling far
below old-timo standards Men who have
been only ten years in Washington, daily
attendants upon the sessions Of congress
and familiar with the characteristics and
capabilities Of most of the individual
senators, can easily make comparison
which is odious to the senate of the pres
ent day. Those who hare been here iif-
teen or twenty years. as have number
of writers for the press, look back upon
the senate and the senator of that day
almost with tears I'm their eyes. Then the
senate was, indeed, the most dignified
legislative body on earth. Such its
members are still wont ITO term it, but
the words are sarcastic. Then every
member Of the senate was man of
national reputation. Now there are only
a few senator's whose fame really extends
much beyond the borders of their own
states, and in many cases their reputa.
tion Is as politicians or speculatOrs or
money. makers or for something besides
craftsmanship. Where are the Conklins,
the Thurmans, the Fcssendens the
Wades, the Bccks, the Trumbulls, the
Summers, the brilliant, broad and able
men of this day? One hunts almost in
vain for them in the senate chamber.
There are senators Of ability and high
character, but the dry rot appears to be
in them, and the pail Of partyism of
narrowness or of slOthfulness seems to
be hanging over one and all. Rarely,
indeed does the debate rise TO respect
able level. If the cranKs are not exploit
ing their single ideas the brawlers are en-
gagged in personalities sadly out of place
in the senate. The upper branch of the
American congress has fallen on evil
days.
1t is a matter Of general comment that
the senate of today is inferior to the house
in ability and character. This may not
be literally true, in the sense that the
average in the house is higher, for pre-
haps it is not But the senate is so far
below its former standard that the dis
crepancy is painfully noticeable, and the
house, always more in earnest, always
presenting fewer opportunities for mcdi-
ocrity to display itself, shines in contrast.
The house always has the advantage Of
leadership. There is always a guiding
hand, policy. The leadership may not
always'be strong, or the policies WISE
but there is something that is definite
and understandable, something that is
respectable and responsible. The senate
today is practically the antithesis of this
in every sense. 1t has no leadership on
either side If there are any strong men
in that body, possessing personal force
and influence enough to point a way and
command following, they have not
silent, and the once respectable and ad-
miraEle body simply drifts along, the
small fry muddying the surface and moth
ing of moment or usefulness being done.
1t is no longer n great honor to be a
member Of the senate. The day has gone
in which to sit on the floor is TO attain
the summit of political ambition in this
country. Many men of experience and
capacity admit they would prefer seats
in the other house, if only seats there
were held by longers rstenure. 1t is the
six-year term that makes the senate so at
tractiye and gives membership in it
greater charm. Many men who hold
seats in the senate came hither without
previous training in public life. Not a
few of them are wholly unfit for the tasks
which they have assumed Some Of them
are not even fit TO be representatives of
districts in the lower house, or delegates
from territories with the right to speak,
but not to vote. In the change that has
been going on in the senate for some
years past the great men Of the body ap-
pear to have come down to the level of
the upstarts and accidents and purchasers
of honors, instead of lifting the recruits
up TO their standard This is what is
the matter with the United States senate.