Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-06-05
Antique Methods Of the Senate.

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not only giving the country proof of
the fact that it's methods of transact
ing the business of hustling and pro-
gressive nation are far behind the
times, hut it is also stimulating feel
ing that has been growing for many
years among the American people that
the upper house of Congress should be
put into closer touch with and made
more responsive to the sentiment Of
the nation. 1t is certainly painful tc
note that prosy and windy Senators.
inflicting upon the atmosphere of the
chamber long and windy speeches
which few listen to and scarcely any
body reads, are able to retard the pro-
gress of business for weeks and
months 1t is a situation that the
American people will not suffer for
ever. So-callcd senatorial courtesy
cannot be permitted indefinitely to re-
tard and hamper the business interests
and material prosperity Of the nation.
There is probably no legislative body
in the world today that is so far be-
hind the procession in it's methods Of
transacting business as is the United
States Senate, where it is within the
power of every member who desires to
thwart the will of the majority. which
is the sovereign power of Republican
form of government, to do so, at least
to the full extent Of his physical endur
ance.
The national House of Representa-
tives has found it necessary under both
political parties to adopt rules which
enable it to transact business with
the result that it is today es-
sentially business organization.
where otherwise it would have been a
mere debating society. without power
or capacity to transact the peoples
business. The absolute necessity of
rules enabling this great legislative
body to dc practical business in prac-
teal way was recognized many years
before the late Thomas B. Reed be-
came it's presiding officer, but to him
must forever belong the credit of hay
ing had the courage to deal with the
perplexing problem from the stand
point of the nations needs, and to put
it within the power of the majority OF
the House to transact the peoples
business in an orderly and systema-
tic manner 1t is true that Mr. Reed
was utterly denounced for this course
by his Democratic opponents. They
called him Gar. but calling him so
did not make him so. The Democratic
time, tfc 51st Congress), was Charles
F. Crisp of Georgia, who exhausted the
resources of his somewhat extensive
vocal ulary in his denunciations of Mr.
Reed. The SIND Congress had a Demo-
cratic majority and Mr.. Crisp was cleo
ted as it's Speaker. and the successor of
Mr. Reed For a short time he under
took to conduct business under the
rules which had been in force prior to
the 51st Congress, but found that it
was impossible to make any practical
progress with legislation. In fact, the
business of the House was not only
corgeste1 but practically at stand
still. Under such circumstances Mr..
Crisp and his followers were forced to
hottie their pride, and, as Senator Da-
vid B. Hill declared. to adopt 'amid the
derisive laughter of the whole country"
the very Reed rules which they had so
bitterly denounced.
of the American people. if we are to
judge by public sentiment as it finds
expression in the press of the country,
when the United States Senate must
follow the example of the national
House in the adoption of rules that will
shut off obstructionists and wind jam
mers and make it possible for the ma
jority of that body to conduct the peo-
pies business in an orderly manner
and with some little degree of CELEBRITY.
The long weeks of time wasted in the
consideration of the tariff bill, produc
tive of nothing thus far but extra large
issues of the Congressional Record,
filled with lengthy speeches which no.
body has the strength nor the time to
read, have convinced the public that
the welfare of the nation demands that
the United States Senate be put into
closer touch with the people, from
whom it's members derive their author
ity and to whrm they should be more
Immediately accountable. Unless the
Senate can rise to the situation, as did
the House of Representatives under
the leadership of Mr.. Reed, and adopt
practical rules for the transaction of
the peoples business, it is certain that
the people themselves will soon move
in the matter by adopting new methods