Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1909-01-28
THE DIVINE RIGHT OF
HOLD Err,

Inc democrat Dlu5 NODSFb VI" La
Toilette and his compatriots God
speed in their fight against boss rule
in the United States Senate. Less
than a dozen senators dominate ma
tional legislation. Their domination
prevails not on account Of their indi-
vidual greatness. They are not great.
They rule simply through what may
be called the divine right of hOld-over.
And in so ruling they put our great
representative system of government
to shame. Their dynasty is not Of
sndden growth. 1t has not, like
Aaron's rod budded, blOssomed and
brought forth fruit in day. Slowly
aud steadily it has grown into a great
power for evil. 1t stands across the
path of progress: and thwarts the will
Of the people. 1t ought not to endure.
During the second Cleveland admin
istratiOn there was an awful example
of the evil practice which is now
strongly opposed by progressive Unit
ed States Senators. The power in
the Senate passed to the Democratic
party. The great Old-time leaders,
like Bayard and Thurman, had gone;
and the holding over Democrats were
generally very much smaller men.
Wisconsin had sent to the Senate
Democratic statesman who had in two
cabinet positions during Mr.. Cleve-
lands first administration rendered
the country very valuable service and
proved himself to be one of the great
est men in the nation. He was in thor
ough sympathy with and a chief sup
porter of the new administration.
But in making up the committees of
the reOrganized Senate this giant in
statecraft was given but scant cour-
tesy, and smaller men who had served
longer appropriated to themselves the
most important places upon the most
important committees. William F.
Villas was a great power in the United
States Senate, as he was in all the
walks of life; but it was because of his
inherent greatness, and not because
he was we'll placed on committees.
Some of the reactioDary Senators of
shat period, on account of the impOr-
tant places which they held, did un-
told damage to both their country and
their party during the great struggle
for the gold standard.
The power of holding over is gener.
ally too much exalted. In the lower
house of the Congress, in state legis-
latures, and lesser legislative bodies,
it is often abused. Its tendency is
nearly always reactionary and not
progressive.
The baneful influence of Speaker
Cannon in the national house of repre-
sententatives would not be endured
but for the long years which he has
there served the protected interests.
In some State legislatures there are
members of such long service that they
come to be regarded as oracles; but
they are seldom Oracles. Often they
simply tend to keep the legislative
machinery in well worn rut. AL.
due respect should be paid to age:
but this respect ought not to be abus
ed to the hindrance of the public wei
fare.
1t is hopeful sign OF the times when
there is a revolt in the United States
Senate against the divine right of
hOld-over. The reform of this abuse
and change so that members of the
lower house would take Office not lat
er than the first day of January next
succeeding their election would make
the national government more respon-
sive to the will of the people Such
reforms would fully accord with the
spirit of our representative system,
and would, in some measure at least,
stay the demand for the iniative the
referendum, and the recall.
The day is coming when the power
of the senatorial combine will be
broken. May it come quickly.