The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-13

The force of the would-be hurtfaa shaft was immediately smashed by Carmack's counter inquiry whether the objection by Mir. Lodge had any reference to the com ing election. ~ .H 5s tive department for it's own investigaS tons, adding: .'' ti.LJ 1 <
 ''I believe that the party in1power, which is responsible for the government and responsible to the people, and ready to face the people on this and all other questions. should have that power to the fullest degree"
 Tn that vein went on Mir. Lodge in a way the logic of which was the emascula- tion of any responsibility whatever upon the part of Senators of the minority. To this position Senator Teller entered his "caveat," protesting against the exclu- sion of any Senator from participation In the responsible acts of the Senate. MT.
 Teller referred to various occasions on
 which both parties were divided in their votes and how by discussion, majorities had been turned into minorities.
 Incidentally Senator Teller said: :'In my judgment nothing more unfor- tunate could happen to the American peo- pIe than to have this body or the other composed of all the partfsans of one po- litical party. It would be almost impos- sible in this country to have such con dition. It is equally unfortunate when
 there is majority so great that when l their methods carry the minority, who might resist and differ with the great ma- | jority, as practically to cut out the Oppo- sition or minority from having any voice | in legislation. do not believe there Is 8 Senator here of long experience who does not agree with me that 1t would be ex- ceedingly unfortunate if there was no mi- nority In this chamber. Majority. great or small, does not absolve any man from
 doing his duty on this side of the cham ber."
 You may think 1t is your duty to rep resent only those of your own political or ganization. have never conceived 1t to | be my duty. believe 1t to be the duty | of the representatives on this floor to rep
 resent the great fundamental principles of our government and to stand for them,
 not with a mere mouthing about being an American, which absolutely means noth-
 ing unless you stand for American prin-
 ciples."
 Senator Spooner feelingly endorsed the
 sentiments of the Colorado Senator. say ing that he had Spoken the words of
 truth and soberness."
 q would not hold seat in thls7 cham ber." declared Mir. Spooner, eff 1t were I upon condition that my vote and my .ac-' |
 Q dand controlled for me by mere num- l bers of the party here to which happen ! to belondg. That Is an abdication and | surrender, which Is not in the public in-
 terest: which is not in harmony with in- ! diyidual self-respect and not in the in- | terest of the people of this country or of
 the Senator's own sovereign State. He , is to be the keeper, under his oath, of
 his own conscience.
 | "I can recall instances within the last I two or three years when Senators on this
 side upon great public measures. which enlisted great public interest. voted with
 the Senators on that side from a sense of conviction. I would not permit myself to
 be bound on such subject by any other mans dIctum. The Senator of course, is
 right that. although his side Is in the minority in this chamber. they are Sena-
 tors sworn to discharge the duty of Sena-
 tors. bound, if they have self-respect, to express their views fearlessly and frank Ily. and to follow their views by their in, dependent judgment crystalized by their votes. -.'--.''
 "Mr. President, hope the day will not come when on either side of this chamber
 Senators shall be bound upon great ques-
 tions of public policy, far-reaching in their
 influence upon the future of this country,
 to vote. not as they think, but as others
 think" ;-t'
 All this Senator Spooner most impress
 sively delivered. He was thereby using
 his best ability to help wavering Senators on the canal proposition. help them out of their hole and deliver them over into the Roosevelt isthmian ditch.
 R. 1T. Watkins.