Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-03-14


within the power of small minority
to postpone final vote indefinitely, OF
as long as it could command strength
and language with which TO make any
sort of an argument, however inane
and tedious, on the measure. Repeat
edly. bills have been talked to death,
as the river and harbor bill was by
Senators Carter and Wellington, the
speakers holding out until the time
limit has expired and the session
adjourned. More often, bills have
been put to sleep by the threat OF
filibustering. the ship subsidy and
oleomargarine measures being two
recent instances. No doubt whatever
existed but that both would have
passed if a vote could have been
reached.
The fret impression of every fair
mind is that some means should exist
for putting an end to this anomaly.
1t is, in effect. control by minority.
Every senator except one might be in
favor of certain measure of prime
importance, and yet it is possible for
that one to balk all the rest. Such a
system as this is absurd, in the judg-
ment of very many well-informed
people. 1t is subversive of every rule
OF fairness, even of honor. 1t is
grimace at majority rule, which
constitutes the framework of our
government. If clear majority of
the Senate desires the passage of
bill, it is disgraceful that they must sit
powerless and listen day after day to
interminable talk by obstructionists,
who are able to mock them in spite of
their strength.
Until the advent of Speaker Reed,
similar practices obtained in the
House. Obstruction and filibustering
were the constant resource of the
weaker party. Breaking quorum
never failed of its purpose of forcing
until Reed took the bull
by the horns and made his famous
rulings, which were later embodied in
what are now the House rules and !
have had the sanction of Democratic. |
as well as Republican, observance.
There is no such thing in the House
as minority rule. A committee, of |
which the speaker is chairman, and |
which is always controlled by the
majority party, fixes the time to be
allowed for debate of any measure
and when that time expires the vote is
taken. Under this system, the House
has become business body To
the Senate has been left the distinction
Of being the 'deliberative body
Perhaps the strongest evidence
tending to show that the Senate
system is not so altogether unjust as
would at first appear is the fact of its
long standing and that in spite of
challenge. 1t is within the
power of the Senate at any time to
adopt cloture. or the limiting of
iebate. That it has never done so
must throw the burden on those who
.ssail the existing policy. The !
present Senate is very strongly ;
yet it will require more
obstruction than has vet I
been offered to bring about change
iuch as is proposed.
What are the arguments in favor of
he present system and why would not
,loture be better? Studied carefully,
here are reasons of considerable
weight that have served to continue
method that would be condemned on
Is face. The Senate is and always
las been a calm, staid, dignifed,
and essentially delibera-
i've body. Its membership is small
IS responsibility great. The senator's
re mostly men who have arrived at
he top of the political ladder, advanced
n years and in wisdom. 1t is the
legislative body par excellence. Each
prides himself on his
and power and is jealous of
my encroachment on it. Though
ARTISANS, the senators are generally
Iuite Independent and look with
lisfavor on any scheme calculated to
freak down their personal Importance
II make them unwillingly subservient
o anybody. A senator of the majority
nay chafe at the obstruction of
vilful minority, but he endures it, not
znowing how long it may be before lie
viii be of the factious minority, with
he whip in hand, and his colleagues
md the country at his mercy.
But. one may say, this explanation
loes not suffice. 1t merely indicates