Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-03-15

United States Senator Says That Comes
Fjrst

| huhufeub OF newspapers nave recent
ly voiced the righteous Indignation Of
the country over an astonishing revela
tion Of venality in high places. Tn,
Sentry believes that a public sentiment
will soon be created that win make tn,
corrupt defiance Of the popular will un
healthy, even in the senate, that legis
lative body farthest removed from di
rect response thereto.
The revelation referred to wa,
made by Mr.. c. W. Post in stating the
obstacles he has encountered in push
ing forward measure Of manifest
public utility, wherein he had not a
dollars pecuniary interest and which
the press of the country, without dis.
tinction of party, had unanimously en-
dorsed-a practicable reform in the
method of making small. remittances
by mail, through the post check cur
rency.
Senator Platt. Of New York, when
asked his opinion Of the measure
promptly denounced it, for the avowed
reason that it would interfere with
the business Of the express company
in which he holds the position of pres
idena and is perhaps the largest
stockholder. This company, as part Of
its regular business, sells money or.
ders, and it is a feature which the
post check-a much simpler device
would interfere with. The usefulness
Of the new plan TO farmers, workmen
and merchants and to all the people
did not appeal to hnm-the more use
full it would prove to be the more it
would interfere with his private in.
terests, and that was enough.
This senator knows his power and
does not hesitate TO use it. There is
tradition fostered and kept alive by
such as he, called "the courtesy of
the Senate" which in effect bars the
passage of any bill which is personal
ly obnoxious TO a single member of
that exalted body. About and mere
abstraction Of government or morals
or administration the venerable New
York functionary would feel little con
corned. Questions involving the I4th
and 18th amendments, polygamy, mag
ma charta or the pursuit of happiness,
would never stir him to activity; but
touch his personal, pecuniary interests
and you evoke n hostility which quick
ly shows what issues are prominent in
his estimation.
Then he rallies "the courtesy of
the Senate" and feels that he has
completely blocked the wheels of the
chariot of progress, as he doubtless
has for the time being
But there is a power that is strong
er than custom; stronger than courte-
sy; stronger than a senator or the sen.
ate. A few such fragrant abuses as
that now exposed will raise storm
of protest that will not fail to pen
citrate even the sacred and comnolent
precincts where this obstructiouist
now stands intrenehed.
The senate has certain preroga-
tivcs, peculiar to iaself vested in it
by the Constitution. Among these are
the supervision of certain high. grade
presidential appointments which can
only be made by and with its consent
and il can confirm or reject such APP
pointments, or more properly uomiu-
ations, at will. The senate exclusive
~ ratifes or rejects all treaties ne
gotiatcd with foreign countries and
tries all impeaehments Il has also
another peculiar privilege, In case the
presidential electors in the several
states fail To make a choice the senate
elects the vice president from the two
highest on the list OF those voted for,
while the house Of representatives
elects the president, But it is no.
where written in the fundamental law
that by a dangerous and demoralizing
interchange Of personal obligations,
senators may be led against their judg,
ment and their oaths, TO thwart the will
Of the peoples direct representatives
and endanger the public service.
PoliteneSs, forbearanco, consideration
for personal convenience are always in
order among gentlemen The Ameri.
can senate was purposcly SO construct
ed as 20 bo lcisuTcly aud deliberative
In action, free from the perils Of anger
and impulse, amenable to sober sec.
ond thosght rather than responsive
10 thoughtless clamor, Ample room for
ioba,e should be given, and the utmost
difference paid TO legitimate argument.
Rut the rule ON which Mr.. Platt evi.
lently rclies-the alleged unwritteu
'ule that no senator shall support a