New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-29
OBSTRUCTION IN THE SENATE.
PLEA FOR RULES TO PROJECT THAT
BODY FROM BEING TALKED TO DEATH.
70 The Editor of The Tribune.

To The Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: 1t may not at this time be out of place to
notice phase of partisan tactics that has ob-
tanned in the Senate within recent years-so In
contrast with the dignihed order that prevailed in
that body in the days of the fathers. In the gov
eminent of the United States the Senate is con-
sttuted as the special representative Of the states
and in accordance with that theory its members
are chosen by their respective legislatures. The
honor, the dignity and the interest of each State
demand that its two Senators should be men OF a
high grade of general intelligence and statesman
ship having experience in governmental affairs OF
the nation, both foreign and domestic. A legisla-
tive body thus constituted needed only Few
simple rules in regard to the conduct OF business
Thus, for Illustration. rule deemed neces-
sary to limit members in debate. The courtesy
urbane dignity and self-respect of the members
forbade the of measures of doubtful propriety
in order to secure the enactment of a law. How
could two members OF a legislative Dody
consisting Of such dguihed and cultured men
think of securing the adoption of a measure by
wearing out the physical strength OF their telIoW-
members by prolonged speeches, offering amend
ments that more or less irrelevant and de-
batting them at length in arguments OF similar
character? In the early days of the government
sta esmanship and a political character without
reproach were the requisites demanded OF every
member of the United States Senate Thus they
were true representatives OF the intelligent anu
influential portion Of the people of their respective
States For nearly century this was a charac-
teristic of the United States Senate. In worldly
affairs the members well to do-none being
merely rich men, sometimes devoId OF the proper
qualification for the high Office OF Senator
The members of the House were much more
varied in character, as they were the represent
atives OF the people of the respective Congress
districts, and often member was taF specI-
Of his special observation-disclosures VINO Noteu
tor him once an abnormal district in the
city OF New-York sent TO Congress d notorious
professional gambler In the House il was found
necessary to make rules TO limit debate On one
occasion a member whose district included the
county of Buncombe, North Carolina. was making
u very long speech relation TO political al
fairs in his own district AS there was no rule to
'ylPrst tn,7s-. kiI,a Nv ne InQlslianLly told the
members ne was not talking 70 them at al, out
people Of DunCOmDt,' hence the prove y
taking 10 buncOmUe" This incident led the
House 10 adopt appropriate rules, among others
that OF the previous question, WhIch cuts Oh
The previous question does not obtain in the Sen
ate, though recently eHorts were mace 10 lhlIo-
harangues, but without success. The older mem
UtrS, Ignoring present CONDITIONS ana seeming 10
cherish the luea lhat the courtesy anu u1sIi+tu
aemeanor of the Senate OF the olden tune sun re
For Illustration. during the first session Of the
LNlIth CLnsrtss the senate was held heIpIessy
ejoTern6Snt 6if nasty 6v IniroduciRs and de-
batting amendments that were not truly germane
10 the subject. Meantime the intelligent portion
ment and intelligent FiHpnos were anxious 10
have it passed ana put in practice soon pos
s.b!5. The bill was admirably framed on the prln-
ciples emooaIed in the Constitution of the United
states and adapted specially TO the case OF the
Philippines. Ii was reported to the House by the
Commission appointed by President Mckinley, eX-
Governor TAFT being chairman The House had
passed. me ON. ne members OF the CoIiI-SsI n
We're residents in the Islands Tor about three
months and had STUDIED the subject in all its re
.atons The bin was also printed and in the hands
Of the Senate, that the whole matter could have
been canNassed and understood within few days
and the bill passed. This nteTminable talk was
made by certain members who. in true sense.
lel 1e1
auu Intelligent citizens Of their respective States
but rather OF the odds and ends OF factions. I'M
practical theorists and political soreheads. who had
accidentally obtained control of the legislatures Of
their States The American people stin hope that
the United States Senate will long adopt rules
Ia set-defence whereby the unhappy contingency
OF mere talkative members may be restrained in
a manner consistent with the propr.ety and dig
uty u legislative BODY representing the Sta tes
OF the Union. JACOB HARRIS PATTON.
New YORK Nov. II. 1902