The times., 1899-11-21
The shadow of The Car.

If all we hear concerning Mr.. Hender-
sons views on he question Of rules for
the house of Representatives be true, there
should ba an immediate revolt against his
candidacy, or a most exciting session in
case he Is elected and proceeds to play
the role OF the porcine despot, his prede-
cessor.
Rather to the astonishmeEt of some good
but innocent people, it is now understood
that Mr. Mckinley is able to discern beau
ties in the Reed system OF legislative re-
preston. that he was unable to discover
when the power was in the hands of an
individual unfriendly to the White House,
and nhO welded it to the detriment and
obstruction of Administration interests and
purposes. Now however. it IS stated that
the President looks with much favor on
the idea OF having MIR. Henderson, though
strictly as an Executive agent, maintain
and exercise the same autocratic control
ever national legislation that Reed did.
Should the House submit to this scheme.
a most edifyiHg spectacle would be pre-
sented. The popular branch Of the Ameri-
can Legislature would thus place itself
practically in the position of the British
Parliament when Cromwell quietly but
firmly snufIed it out Assuming Mr.. Hen
derscn. as Speaker, to be as bold and dom
ineering as his relations to the Administra-
lion viii render him subservient TO its win
and objects. The country viii have the eX-
IRENE satisfaction of seeing the Congress
OF the United States to all intents and pur-
poses OILY able tc act upon and by virtue
of Executive orders.
Not many years ago such direct attack
upon the liberties OF the people, through
their 1lecJed representatives would have
ben. Impossible because Tie attempt would
ha}1 led 10 in=taut revolution. Bu, we had
occasion to learn from the history and
phenomera Of the Fifty-ffth Congress that
au idss, Of resisting. or even CT opposing,
encreacEmeuts upon the rights ard priyi-
ges or The House has died out within
us walls. and everywhere else for that
mater. We have learned the unpalatable
I-s9n that Speaker. like Reed. for ex-
ample MAJ isEors his oath and defy the
laW and the Constitution III reference 10
lLe rights C. IL mb-rs with complete I'M
uunity His party viii stand IT, and he
csn render hmsclf Immune from minority
resistance by Purchasing minority leaders
with committee cEai lanshils. md through
promises Of patronage generally control the
minority organization.
That sort OF ming was astounding enough
VIXEN utilized in thc Interests of a single
u.an. who used his desperate power solely
70 olYaGee els oNn ard his outside friends,
legislative purposes I, would be much
more 80 when the absolute despoisra came
10 represent irresponsible control Of ma
,ional legislation hy he Executive. Per
har5 rhis view O, tha matter has ret oc-
currsa 10 Nr Mckinley and, when IL
does. ~ery ILksly he may throw his iuIu-
lace o. the sid. Of free Legislature
ON he ether hand If the plan which is
said 10 have his eoHEtersEce is pushed for
ward to the end ID Is very hard o under
stand ahat particular service members Of
Congress VIII be to the{s constituents. II
their only function ia the future IS TO be
that OF simply looking on while the Speaker
registers the 8ecrzcs handed down TO him
for that purpose, perhaps il would be
b5uer 20 save The expense OF such an i'm
potent audience ord formally surrender the
whole business Of legislation 10 the power
actually controlling ir which. on the Reed
rules henderson basis would be the Prezi-
d5G. OF the United States