The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-22
SUNDAY. JANUARY %, 1899.
How the ob.tructionist Appears.

right and duty of a minority in legisla
tive body. under our party system, to pre-
vent action by the majority in certain cir
cumstances. II is possible that measure
which seems 10 The former to be wholly
unjust and Inischievous may be imposed
by party eXigency on the majority. To
obstruct by all lawful means its adoption
may be the part of patriotism and of hon
esty. II is this possibility that makes the
public patient with the rules of the Senate
that permit member or few members
to stop all legislation. But the use of this
power must be reasonable and not wanton;
1t must involve something else than mere
party advantage, If it is 10 be tolerated by
popular sentiment. For public opinion is
The final arbiter in all legislative contro-
versies, in spite of the independence of
Senator White and Others whose terms are
about TO expire and who are to retire 10
private life.
Il would he strange il members of par
ticular party. acting together as party
men, should deliberately prefer and invite
popular disfavuF. Such thing would yio-
late common sense and universal custom.
L would be stranger still if they should do
this without the possibility of achieving
their professed object. When to this is
added the certainty that the mere post
Ponement OF q foregone conclusion will en-
barrass an Administration that has the ar
dept approval OF the whole people in its
purpose TO bring war 10 an end-espe-
cialiy war which IS without the favor of
the obstructive minOrity-the absurdity OF
the proceeding is bewildering. Because
such wanton perversity. such ruinous and
suicidal folly, is inconceivable 10 an intel
ligent people, they are bound to infer that
there are hidden motives OF such nature
that they must be rigidIy concealed. This
is the more certain course of popular be-
lief when the avowed motives are almost
obviously insircere and plainly inadequate:
when the arguments in support OF obslruc-
tion are easily refuted, and in fact have
been repeatedly exposed as shallow and I'M
true.
That is exactly the situation in the SEN
ate in relation 10 the Treaty of Peace. We
are asked 10 believe that the Democratic
minority prefers TO be unpopular; that it
invites the disapproval Of the masses of its
great wave OF enthusiasm inspired by the
Presidents policy touching the Philippines
has receded Or diminished in fervor, is dis
proved by the unanimous vote of the Cal
iiornia Legislature and Of the Maine Legs
lature in favor Of the immediate and I'M
conditional ratification Of the Treaty. in
spite of the fact that Senator White OF Cal
ifornia, ami Senator Hale. Speaker Reed,
and Representative Boutelle of Maine are
known TO be opposed TO it,
We are asked to believe that the Demo-
cratic minority is willing o delay the tri-
umphant ending and the acceptance OF the
fruits Of a war won with the personal aid
of conspicuous Democrats, including the
recent candidate OF that party for the
Presidency. That, too. for no practical
end. for the minority cannot prevent the
ratification Of the Treaty exactly as il is
within few weeks.
We are asked TO believe that the Demo-
cratic minority wants it understood that
lis ayOwed reason for imposing on the
Government the many grave consequences
Of the brief delay is its lack OF trust in
the ability Of the Republic 10 extend the
beneAcent influences Of its free institu-
lions 10 the Filipinos; It's lack OF conf
dcnce in the honest desire of the American
people to deal justly with them without a
pledge from Congress: its utter disbelief
IN the intelligence of the American people,
and its belief iii the superior wisdom OF i
European nation.
Wen, the public Of this country will not
be unanimous n accepting what the Dem
ocratic minority seems TO be willing 10
imply. There viii be some who viii rather
think that While The Democratic Senators
who obstruct the ratification Of the Treaty
DO lack patriotism, do delay the ending of
Tie war. Go defy popular sentiment and
30 distrust The integrity, the ability, and
The republicaHisn! OF the people. they also
have some hidden motive which they dare
not 3yow. II VIII be taken for granted
that it is net a worthy motive and is.
perhaps, personal. There are people whose
minds are 50 constructed that they can
not believe all of The men OF the minority,
VINO have been in public life and have
struggled for party success. could be
blinded to the national, The party, and the
personal effects o. such a useless and sui
cidal course. Some Of them, the least self
assertive and least Intelligent, might be
regarded as dupes, but there are people
~ho can only think that there IS a dis
.inci intention on the part of some OF the