The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-11
THE sESATE's DECADENCE.

The Washington Post comes to the de-
Tense Of the United States senate from an
attack by the New York Herald. AS many
others than the New York newspapers
have lately criticised and have even very
freely condemned the senate for its atti-
tude on public questions, IL may be worth
while 10 consider whether 1t Is deserved or
not. II the reports OF the proceedings are
at az accurate there would seem 10 be some
foundation for the irritation felt by the
people.
The New York Herald has commented
upon the apparent Indifference of the
senate 10 the interests OF the country. To
this the Post replies that criticism OF this
kind Is based upon ''the absurd assumption
that the senate is bound to be responsive to
popular feeling" and that the body was
created mot to respond TO popular clamor
but 10 resist that influence In every case
where the Will Of the people might not be
in harmony with the sober judgment of a
majority OF its members" This Is very
far. far from accurately describing the
condition to which exception Is taken.
A dispatch, for instance. from Washing
ton yesterday presents a con-luon with
which the people have become SO familiar
that 1t passes rs a matter OF course, yet Is
most outrageous trifiing with the peo-
pies material interests and shameful ex-
hibition. by what is claimed to be the most
powerful Legislative body in the world, of
as paltry and narrow self-seeklng as ever
disgraced the aldermen OF a politically cor
rupt council. The dispatch tells. with no
indication CT surprise or sensation making.
shat:
THE committee representing respective
~ the Republican and Democratic sides Of
the senate resumed their efforts today 10
reach ar agreement on = basis or reorEan-
l&lag the senate committees. The Repubu-
cans have gone 20 work with the serious In
teniion % taking charge OF the committees
but they fnd IN assuming this task there
are mSny delicate points to be settled The
tarld IL giving the managing COMMITTEES
ard a. the Republican senator's more con-
Germ than any ether factor fin the situation.
" II doubtful whether they would attempt
10 proceed but Tor this bill They fear.
however. tast x they do not take the work
II hand the BIZ may 6s seriously delayed.
rFIEttr4EX
warned them that they wiz object 10 any
further legislation of any character until
the committees shall - fled There Is
clso feeling on the Republican side that
any allotment which might appear 20 dis
crimina.e against tho Popuitsts and Silver
Republicans would irnern the tariff bffl
by prccipitating an unacemly wrangis on
the eve OF It's presentation % the sonata
IL this 81 not fair subject Cor criticism
Il must De confessed that the reople do
not take the right view OF the constltu-
ton. The threat that measure OF SC
much public Importance shah be hung
up" until some members are appointed 10
the committees they desire would infuri.
rte people less patient than Americans.
{ Il does no: take a very profound knowl-
edge OF the constitution 70 understand
that such an attitude on the part OF the
United states senate IL disgracefuL
All that The wisdom OF the founders Of
the republic could do vas done TO !nsur.
that the United States senate should Be
an entirely different sody TO the lower
house. that the Ions tenure OF offce should
remove Il frnm frequent political disturb
ancea. that by being selected by delib-
! erative body more care might - exer-
c.sed than would sometimes happen in
popular assemblies, that the character OF
the men ard tho dignity Of IN. position
should place them ard e far above the
petty struggles c: bodies strongly ard
( casngel,bly partisan.
O. the two houses It may - said that
TIE popular body has not only more nearly
represented the people bat ms hecn char
actertsed BY FAR rreatec deilberateness
/ and conservatism than ths house whose
name usei 70 he = synonym Ter wisdom.
/ dignity and dIsIntercstsdness