The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-16
HOT TIMES IN SENATE
now THE DELIBERATIvE BODY
IN CONGRESS DELIBERATEs.
CENTER OF CAPITOL INTEREST
WHILE THE HOUSE PROCEEDS IN
PROSY FASHION.

Wbe other Body Is EnIivened Almost
Daily by Interesting Debates-Dis-
cussion of the Philippines Made
Notable by Many Exciting TiIts.
senator Carmack's Strong Person
ality and EnthraIIing OratOry.
copyright, 1902, by Amos :. Cum
mipes.;
Washington, Feb. 15.-With legisla-
ton in the House apparently at sea,
the turmoil of discussion was trans
ferred to the north wing of the Cap
itol. Polemics in the House are spas
modic and can be shut off at any time
by the parliamentary machine be-
o1eathed to Speaker Henderson by his
great predecessor, Thomas B. Reed.
The real forum of Congressional dis
mutation is the floor of the Senate.
Here debates becomes historic and are
embalmed in our school books. Here
discussion is deliberate and continu-
GUS. 1t may become violent, but new
eg hysterical 1t flows like a majestic
stream, with occasional rapids and
possibly a cataract. Each Senator
talks as often and as long as he de-
sires. with no one to gainsay his right
10 the floor. The previous question is
not recognized, and individuality riots
undisturbed. The Vice President is
powerless except to exercise right of
recognition and the privilege of vote
TO break tie. Filibustering is rec
ognized force as long as a senator has
the physical strength to maintain the
floor or demand the presence of a quo
rum This was the lever worked by
Senator Quay to protest the industries
OF Pennsylvania when the Wilson tar
if bill was an issue. Senator Murphy
Of New York used similar means to
shield the collar and cuff makers of
his native city of Troy. Thomas Car
ter employed 1t in killing the river
and harbor bill in the last Congress,
thus avenging himself on the Senate
for its refusal TO incorporate his irri-
CATION scheme. No matter how trans
parent the motive in such cases. The
utmost dignity is maintained. No
senator would dream of imputing an
improper motive for such action. Sen
atorial honor is never questioned. It
seems to be as sacred as the tooth of
Buddha. Senatorial dignity is seldom
lowered. 1t seems to be as overpoWer-
ing as that of the Grand Llama.
The Senate has been indulging in
discussion over the Philippine tariff
bill. 1T was spurred through the
House within six hours and without
the use of the Reed machine. For
some unaccountable reason the minor
ity gave unanimous consent to this
surprising limitation. although such
consent cut off all efforts TO amend
the bill. on Dec. 18 the House sent il
over to the Senate where it was buried
in committee until Jan. 20. When it
came up for discussion there was no at
tempt to reach an agreement as to a
VOTE The minority. insHbe Senate is
always awake. The majority knew
better than to try to make a bargain
with these alert statesmen Above all
they knew that the minority would
never surrender their right to offer
amendments as often as they saw fit.
No triumvirate nor any other combi-
nation under the rules or without the
rules ever cracks a whip over the
shoulders of United States senators.
ON Jan. q Henry Cabot Lodge, who
had reported the bill. opened the long
discussion. Lodge is always a pleas
1iiS Spedhei his voice is magnetic
and never CRATES on the nerves. Classic
In attire, manner, and delivery, but
not in feature, he wins the close at
tention of his colleagues. The gal
leries were we'll filled and their occu-
PANTS close listeners. His flow of ora
tory was uninterrupted for twenty min
Ctes, when there was a courteous re-
quest for information. 1t came from
that quaint and lovable old senator
rom Alabama, Edmund w. Pettus,
who feeds the squirrels in the Capt.
iol grounds every morning He is the
picturesque savant whose Scriptural
quotations in the last Congress are
sun ringing in the ears of the junior
senator from Indiana. Lodge was de-
%anung upon the 'open-door" policy
as applied to the Philippines. Mr.. Pet
us asked whether he understood that
me "open-door" policy applied to a
Lston dealing with it's own territory.
WIN rare tact Lodge replied that if
ueSlrable 1t could certainly be applied
ny the country in possession This
ehS"er was apparently satisfactory to
we veteran statesman who compla-
,thlIy stroked his beard and resumed
Hls seat. After that the Senator from
M Mue old Bay State had plain sailing
lor half an hour. when .cat-squalls APP
SSedred IN interrogations from Senators
Ipooher Foraker and Bacon. Lodge,
oNeVef. is an expert navigator on
ee sea of craftsmanship. He promptly
,ayked his sheet rope and kept on his
curse UuISe without further trouble. His