Omaha daily bee., 1898-12-21
A ~REpLBLICdN SENATE.

When the United States senate, after
March 4 next, Ia In complete control or
the republican party, there will not only
| be an entire reorganization Of that body.
but 1t Is to be hoped that some needed
| reforms will be made In the rules. The
| New York Mail and Express suggests
| that the large republican majority ought
to be sufficient to overcome that exag-
gerated Courtesy" and impotency which
have enabled the free silver contingent
year after year to extort concessions
from the republican party that should
never have been granted. "under the
ridiculous rules Of the senate" says that
paper, (which enable any one senator
to hold up legislation so long as his wind
lists and silverites have really con-
trolled legislation in the senate for the
last six years. Unfortunately some of
the republicans are likely to be found
as ardent sticklers for the retention of
the ridiculous rules as the members or
the minority. This has been the case in
the past and is pretty certain to be SO
in the future. Efforts that have been
made in recent years to change the rules
have come from republicans, but they
have not found much support from their
party associates. Possibly there will
be in the senate after March 4 more
republicans favorable to a reform in the
rules thar there have been in the past,
but it is to be feared there will not be
enough Of them to make the desired
changes.
That all senators understand that
demand for reform in this direction can.
not be doubted. The people have little
respect for so-called senatorial courtesy,
which Is responsible for much that Is
not ut all creditable to the senate, while
the people regard the privilege of un-
tors not only to talk as long and as
often as they please on any question,
but to embrace in their talk matters
having no relation whatever to the sub
ject under discussion, as q positive
abuse. And so it unQuestionably is. 1t
should not be in the power of a few
senators to obstruct or defeat by end
less talk legislation that is desired
by the majority. Such power is not
consistent with the cardinal principle
Of popular government. The house Of
representatives for 4 considerable time
after the organization Of the government
allowed Unrestricted debate, but it long
ago abandoned the practice and there is
no good reason why the senate should
not also abandon it and adopt a rule
which, while allowing all necessary de-
bate and treating the minority fairly in
the discussion Of questions, would en-
able the majority to close debate when
ever it was being carried beyond a rea-
sonable limit.
The senate should follow the example
Of the house, which under republican
control is the most thoroughly business
legislative body in the world. OF
curse there Is complaint on the
part of the minority, from time to
time, that Is not allowed suf-
ficient opportunity for discussion, but as
a matter of fact it very rarely happens
that there is any good ground for such
complaint, though undoubtedly the plan
of limiting debate does often interfere
| with the desire Of some members to air
their opinions. The house rule, how
ever, has the valuable virtues of expedit.
ing business and of enabling the major
ity to carry out its will in legislation
without needless obstruction. 1t is a
| good rule for the house and would be
equally so for the senate. .