The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-14
THE SITUATION IN THE SENATE
DO 1T NOW:

+ Ardent Democrats and reformers will be pro
.os,,rg bitterly against the delay OF the tariff
hi, in the senate. Probably will be having
demands for constitutional amendments TO limit
the senate's powers. Fierce denunciations OF
the obstructive powers and methods OF that booy
and magazine and newspaper articles ana mncn
cratory urging that means be provided for hurry
ing its action and putting fire on Its BACK may
be expected We have large class OF ADVISERS
who seem to have read everything that ever has
heen printed except American history, rush
snr throng of theorists who have studied all
subjects but American politics
Time brings many changes and changing con-
ditions give strange revengos, Not so many
wears ago the Force bill was in the senate II
was an infamous measure. and Its enactment ana
enforcement would have meant the poilticai
degradation and material destruction OF the
south The friends of the measure were In the
majority I'm the senate The obstructive powers
allowed the minority there to give the South
It's one hope Under the leadership of Senator
German, OF Maryland. the Democratic minority
battled dogged1y, patiently and heroioally, using
every parliamentary device that audacfous skill
could devise and experience could suggest talk
ing endless hours against time enlisting all the
resources of the constitution and the law the
minority won and averted calamity. Now the
Reuu1,licans are In the minority. They are
nsing against the tariff bill methods somewhat
liResthose the Democrats used against the Force
bill Remembering what has been in the past
md that what has been may he again, the
Democrats will do well to respect and establish
the rights Of the minority under the constitu-
zion and the traditions and laws Of the senate
rhey should keep in mind that they may be
IN the minority presently representing issues
vital to the welfare of their people, In the lower
house we have needed and been compelled to ap
ply while having majority. some Of the Reed
rules" resented So bitterly while we were
The minority, and yet necessary to make erec
tive the will of the people expressed in the
representation In the congress. So in the sen
ate we may need, In time to come to insist or
and find our one hope IN the right Of the mi
nority In the senate to hinder action until op
portunity for appeal TO the people at an election
Now II is question Of physical endurance, II
The Republicans of the senate choose to make
Il So They may be able to prolong the tariff
nebate and delay action the Underwood tariff
measure until the elections of next year The
responsibility will be on them. The people viii
have the case and situation put before then
clearly and will decide. Meanwhile 1t is the
solemn duty Of the Democrats OF the senate
even with their majority reduced TO one t.
fight 1t out on their chosen line II 1t takes al
GUNNER and winter and spring and next summer
and fall II the Republican senators ready
TO accept the responsibility for delaying actor
indefinitely. let them do 1t and let the people
Judge them. Any delay is better than destruc
i tson nf the rights OF the senate minority Com
promise by agreement TO postpone the currenc.
bill In return for the withdrawal by the minorit,
of obstruction TO the tariff bin would be mis-
take and "A partial surrender. Presumably tn
majority of the senate knows II Is right on boil
tariff and currency and that both measures ar
for the welfare and advancement Of the people
Therefore let the Democratic senators. while re
speeding scrupulously the rights Of the minorit
and meeting patiently and courageousy It's oil
etruetive methods, press steadily on to a fna
vote and conclusion.
HISTORY ON MTXiCO