The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-19
THE oMNIpoTENr SENATE.

TINE ONENIPOTENT SENATE.
One of the marked characteristics OF
the evolution of imperialism in the Unit
ed States is the assumption of power by
the senate. Never in the history OF our
10 years of national existence has there
whole-thingness by any department of
the government as the senate has shown
during the session now about to end.
The senate was designed by the franz
on the possible aggressions of the execu-
tive on one hand and as balance wheel
to prevent the more popular branch of
the legislature damaging the machinery
by too ready response to hystericaI
public sentiment The theory was ad-
mirable and would be of inestimable
value in scheme Of government design
ed for revolutionary people.
The senate under our political institu-
tons has evolved from check upon the
governing forces Of the nation to the po-
sition of dictator of national policies and
one by one the prerogatives of the lower
house as well as the executive have been
assumed by this mimic house of lords. y,
Filled with men who represent the cor
porate wealth of the nation it has boldly
taken upon itself the functions of die
tator.
Treaties negotiated by the executive
are ignored or openly rejected, because
they happen to affect the individual in
terests Of senator or some of his
friends. Precedents in the matter of ex-
ecutiye appointments are ignored and
policies forced upon the administration
whether they be agreeable or no. The
constitutional prerogative of the lower
house to originate bills to raise revenue
and to appropriate the taxes is set aside
with no word of by-your-leave or with
your consent. National legislation of
vital Importance is held up that a sena-
tor or two may be given an opportunity
to make an attempt to loot the treasury
for the benefit of themselves and friends.
Il am the state says the arrogant
senate and woe to the public man In pub
lie life who dares to controvert the as
sertion.
we have an executive with a cabinet
which we think is striving for the best
interests of the country, but it's con-
stltutlonat power as well as its inherent
prerogative to carry out a national pol
icy is usurped by the senate. We have a
house of representatives chosen by the
voice of the people, but who hears of
that body now-it cuts no figure in the
great national problems of the day.
The great trust wave has struck our
political as well as our industrial sys-
tenn and the senate is the first example
of the political combination. What is
the cause of this senatorial aggression?
There are causes and many; among them
might be mentioned the character of the
men who at this time dominate the
senate and those who are supposed to
guard the interests of the house. Then
the immunity from public chastisement
N-AS N~iieNhOi SliJOyo AAoIASS iliH
arrogant per Sc The lack of positivisn
in the executive is a temporary but po-
tent cause of the absorption of power
by the senate
The speaker Of the house is without
ability to assert his own or character
to demand respect. He is nerveless and
subservient. Occupying a position in the
republic second only to that of the
president he can not rise to the level
of his fate but bows to the senate lords
and in humble accent proclaims his
fealty-"Ich diem
Jackson, a Lincoln, Cleveland or
a Harrison in the presidential chair and
Blaine or a Reed as speaker of the
house would soon teach the senate it's
place, but with the power now welded
by the senate such men are not likely to
reach those places-the combination is
too strong The remedy? All, there's
the rub. Election of the upper house
may check the tendency to ignore the
peoples rights, but nothing but politf-
cal revolution will restore the equilib-
rum of our governmental scheme.