The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-16
The senate.

The movement to make the Federal
Senate like the House in respect 10 the
rapidity and ease with which majority
NAV force it's measures through has just
sathared strength through the friendly
announcements Of two Of the most con-
seryative of its veterans, Senator ALL
SON OF Iowa and Senator PLAT OF Con-
necticut. Each Of these gentlemen has
exhibited a disposition to favor some
scheme for the greater expedition OF
law-making.
In our opinion popular impotence
with the Senatorial method now prevail
ing is founded more on theory than on
fact. What we have lost by It is trifiing
compared to what we have gained, For
every good bill defeated by the immense
mower conferred upon a minority IN
the right to unlimited debate. ten bad
bills have been defeated, or even more.
Indeed, we can recall no great measure
on which the majority Of party in the
Senate and of the public at large was
convinced and determined that has failed
to pass.
or the two measures whose defeat at
the close of the last Congress has re-
newed and heated the agitation for Sen
atorial closure, namely, the Panama
treaty and the Aldrich financial bill, the
treaty is to-day assured OF passage
within a day or two and the Aldrich bill
was affected with the fatal weakness OF
divided counsels. The bankers of Chi
cago are to-day boasting that they
defeated il.
Over a bill so vigorously disputed
there should be the fullest discussion and
deliberation. A legislative system that
preyents measures Of that character
from being jammed through it is far
better to retain than to discard.
There may be somewhere a golden
mean for the Limitation of debate, but
we are confident that it will not be found
at the majority of three-ffths which
Senator PLATT suggests tentatively as
a proper body TO be clothed with the
power of shutting off debate and putting
its bills through. Better let Senator
MORGAN single-handed keep the power
that he has now than break down so
utterly the present bulwark of conserva-
tism, never fatal and often priceless.
The Hon. ADLAI EWING STEVENSON is
generally counted in respect TO achieve
ment as among the more humble OF our
public men. Yet how he looms above
crowds of more ambitious and more
conspicuous statesmen when we read
the far-seeing valedictory which he deliv-
cred TO the Senate when yielding the
Vice-Presidential chair to his successor:
During the term Jus, closing. questions Of
deep import 10 political parties and 10 the country
have here found earnest and a. times passionate
discussion. This chamber has INDEED been the
sresa of great debate. The record OF four years
of masterfui parliamentary struggles. ofimportan'
iegslat.on Is closed. and passes now to the domain
OF history.
Il think can truly say In the words OF dis
t,nguished predecessor: In the discharge of my
or,ciaI duties have known no cause. no par'y. no
fy,snd' II has been my earnest endcavor Justly
10 interpret and faithfully TO execute, the rules
OF the senate. Al TINES the temptation may ne
strong to pass partisan ends by disregard
or a perversion OF the rules. Yet. think II safe
10 SAY The result however sslutsry will he dearly
purchased by q departure from the methods pre-
scribed by the Senate for It's own guidance a
single instance A. indicated might prove the fore
runner Of untold evils
twill be recorded for precedent.
And many an error, by the "a me example.
win rush Into the state
IL must not he forgotten that the rules govern
ing this body are founded deep in human ex'
perience. that ,tey are the result OF centuries OF
urcIeSs effort In legislative halls. TO conserve 10
render stable and secure. the rights and liberties
which have been achieved by conflict. By ia
p,lcs the senate wisely Nses thu limits 10 It's own
power Of those who clamor against the senate
ard is methods of procedure. II MAJ be Truly said.
The, know not wat they DO In this chamber
alone are preserved without restraint, 'uo rs
ssn,,Is Of use iegi slauon ana OF good govern
men, the nrh, 81 amendment and OF debate
Great sN.,, OMEN eat from hasiy legislation
r.r~,y from ~ e ls watch follows fun discussion
and drnbsfa'lp1 TO- ny humble judgment. M
historic Sensr pfe,rrlng the unre>,rc'ed ngh
Of amendment ana OF debate, msinlslnins ia'se
the ur'e honoted parliamentary methods sa'
Amenities winch uniAihngiy SEIZURE action ate
asi befaiion. possesses in our schsne Of govern
nsnta,alu, winch canno' be measufsdbS words %