Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-03-29
FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 1901.
THE PROPOSED CLo1uRE RULE.

tHG rhOFOSGO SlO OHE hOlGs
The following editorial of the Wash
ington Post is very pertinent at this
time, when an organized effort is being
made to pass a cloture rule in the senate,
similar to the one which obtains in the
house.
Free action of Legislature is absolute
ly essential to the success of repre-
sentative government. 1t is often, if
not generally, only in such action that
undesirable schemes can be defeated
Truth and right never fear debate. Those
alone who would accomplish what
ought not to be accomplished are anX-
ious for a cloture rule.
We are aware that the abuse of priv
ileges, even those which are the most i'm
portant, Is always possible: but in this
case, if that takes place it can be met, and
should be met. by some special rule suf
ficient to accomplish its purpose in cor
recting an abuse, but which would not
at all interfere with absolute freedom of
debate.
IL cuNb littuOln ItNOlullOudTH lDtl1lOuS
of resistance are not intended. That is,
freedom of debate doesn't mean the de
feat of measure, or striving to defeat
measure, by talking against time. Debate
is argument, and free debate or freedom
of debate, is the opportunity for all legit-
innate argument on the question or ques-
tions involved. This and nothing more.
Rules to prevent the interference of pub
lie business by illegitimate means may be
necessary, and if so, should be passed !;
but essential freedom of debate, the
right OF every member to legitimately
discuss every question, to the fullest eX-
tent when desired, should not under any
circumstances be abridged in the senate.
Nor need 1t be, in order to shut of illegit-
innate debate, by which we mean talk not
meant for argument but 10 consume
time, and thus possibly defeat measure
The abuse of the privilege of full dis.
cussion has rarely happened in the SEN
ate, probably not enough to need cor
rectiOn, but the recent l2-hour, more or
less, speech of now ex-senator Carter of
Montana, on the river and hartor bill, is
an Illustration, and might be provoca-
tive to some kind of legislative rule suf-
ficient to meet such a case. But we be.
lieve the senate will recognize the very
sacred position which they hold before
the people, as the guardians of the right
of free debate in our national councils,
by which alone can corrupt and unde-
sirabe legislation be defeated : and by
which alone can free government have
any real existence.
The house of representatives by Its in
competency has made of itself cipher,
and therefore it is doubly important
That the senate preserve within its
body, and in Its fullest integrity, the
great right of free discussion:
When the senate added the allimportant
and far.reaching Philippine and Cuban legis
lation To the army appropriation bill the pre-.
dlctlon was confidently made that the house
Would swallow it at a single gulp. The pre-
diction proved accurate. The boiling process
was not, OF course, pleasant one for the
mousse. Some wry faces We're made, some
protests uttered against the undignided posi
ton in which the house was placed. They
did not. they could not, affect the result
which was foreordained At the same time
II Is worth while to comment upon n few SEN
fences In a speech by Representative Little
held OF Maine which, somewhat belated in
its official publication, is now before u.s. MIR.
Littlefield said;
"Thls bill as the house is compelled to act
upon It, is striking Illustration of most
vicious and iniquitous practice in national
legislation. An army bill which must be
passed in order TO provide for absolutely ne. |
cessafy expenditures, comes down from the |
senate with large number of amendments |
winch originated in the senate, and in order |
10 pass The bill under the rule just adopted we |
are compelled to vote for all OF the amend. |
ments whether they do or not meet our ap- |
proyal. This is II method invariably adopted |