The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-04-13
Another View of the Senate.

page the opinions or the senior SendlOT
from Massachusetts,, Mr.. Hoar, con-
cerning the United States senate. 1t
will be remembered that he defended
it with spirit from most of the accu-
sations commonly leveled against 1t,
and was himself critical only to the
extent of suggesting a slight abridge-
ment of it's opportunities for debate.
Another senator, Mr.. Mills, of Texas,
through the medium of a contribution
to the newspapers, has since offered
his i'eas on the subject, and they, also,
merit attention.
Mr.. Mills begins with frank recogni-
iion of the fact that for some years
the senate has been losing it's hold on
the confidence and support of the
American people, and intimates that
many reasons might be given for this
unhappy conditions; but he considers
one only-the complaint that in the
senate public business is not dispatched
as it should be. After showing some
what elaborately how the rules Of the
senate render it prssible upon occa-
sions for one member to hold up the
entire legislative business Of the coun-
try, almost for an indefinite time, the
senator declares that this humiliat-
ing spectacle has aroused the indigna-
tion Of the country" and quotes with
approval the dictum that to consider
the will of the society enounced by the
majority of a single vote as sacred as
if unanimous is the first of all lessons
Of importance" He also says:
"By refusing to make a rule to close
debate and force a vote the majority
abdicates it's rightful power and shirks
its constitutional duty. 1t makes it
difficult and often impossible for the
will of the people to become the law
of the land. 1t prolongs the sessions
of the government, increases the eX-
penses of the government and makes
the laws sometimes the result of dt-
plomacy and not legislation, 1t is con-
tended by those who are opposed to
c!oture that it cuts off amendments
and stiles debate That does not nee
essarily follow. The power to close de-
bate and stop amendments does not
I
means that all legitimate debate shall
be had and proper consideration of al
amendments that may be appropriate
! ly offered, and when that is done thai
abuse of the right shall be shut of
and the legislative body be permitted
! to exercise its constitutional functions
| every legislative body has the inner.
l,,,t
| one would be capable of selfgovern
ment which would refuse to any of it,
members the right to offer amendment.
! and discuss the effects of measures
! pending before it. There may be, anC
! doubtless are, instances where MAORI
/ ties have been wantOn and wicked il
! their conduct, but that is ccrtainl!
not the rule in the senate of the United
States.
AS for the contention that unlimited
debate is necessary as check upon
! impulsive legislation the gentleman o
Texas submits that "majorities il
times of great eXcitment may bccom
laWless and tramplc under foot al
rights, and it is to prevent this, a
well as to facilitate the dispatch o
business, that parliamentary rules ar
made. But when the minority att ampt
to usurp the power that belongs of ma
tural right to the majority it become
equally culpable." His conclusion /
that the senate should begin at one
to reform existing conditions. Il
should lose no time in putting itself il
harmony with the sentiment of tn
country. Speaking against time is no
debate. Neither is speaking to empt
benches, one is time improperly con
| sumed the other is time throw
away" The whole difficulty can b
remedied, he contends, by the adoptlo
of the previous question. IF the sen
ate would amend the twenty-sccor
rule ana provide for the previous Quc-
tion, which cuts off debate and amend
ments, ana provide that when it
moved there shall be entertained by tn
chair but two motions-one to fix tn
day to which the senate shall adjour
and one to adjourn before the preViou
question shall be putt will solve tn
problem that has so long been Yexn
it, and which has brought upon it S
much criticism. The conservatism {
the senate may always be safely rt
lied upon to prevent the arbitrary us
Of the rule"
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