The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-01-28

Been Abolished - Bad immigration
Laws Might Have Passed.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Jan. 27. - [Special1 -
The reformers who would abolish the
senate should, before carrying out their
plans. stop, look and listen. In the
first place, they could not do it, but
that is mere bagatelle to real reform
ers, and, in the second and third and
on to the tenth, they would not abolish
the senate when they knew all about
it and the fact that it's deliberative
manner and lack of cloture have been
a good thing for the people.
Nearly every reformer who first en-
ters the senate declares the lack Of
cloture, by which any measure can be
brought to a vote as in the house, most
absurd. Mighty few men who have kept
their intellects intact have remained for
a term of six years without coming to
the conclusion that lack of cloture and
the power of minority to defeat legis-
lation is the best safeguard the nation
possesses. Much bad legislation, much
injustice, would be enacted if the same
impetuous and i'll considered methods
adopted in the house prevailed in the
senate.
Rule of Reason.
Some ten years ago, when there was
a great hue and cry about hazing at
the Military and Naval academies, the
house rushed measure through which
was so drastic. so immature, so ill con-
sidered, that it would have practically
closed up the institutions. In the clos
ing hours of one session the senate dis
cussed it, reasoned about it, suggested
notifications and finally sent it back
to the house sane measure.
Doubtful immigration legislation
would have been passed without this
rule of reason in the senate. And,
upon the whole, 1t may be just as we'll
to keep the senate for a time, even if
the reformers seem to think it stands
in the way of advancement.
The Point of View.
You can't divorce locality from
craftsmanship. During the discussion
of the army bill there several times
arose the subject of the present incon-
grous condition Of the army on account
of its scattered stations and lack of
tactical instruction. But in every dis
cussion the matter of locality cropped
out. For instance, Anthony of Kansas
insisted that it would be more economi-
cal for the army to be centered in some
point nearly midway between the
oceans, where it could be transported
quickly in either direction to meet any
emergency.
Anthony lives near Fort Leaven-
worth and Fort Riley, which is near
the center Of the producing belt of sup
plies. Mondell of Wyoming thought
the army should be retained in army
posts among the people. There are two
or three army posts in Wyoming.
Helm of Kentucky insisted that the
army should be kept in posts conven-
lent to the seacoasts, where it could be
used when wanted This Kentucky
man did not seem to be seeking any
advantages for his section in this de-
mand.
Not For the Cadets.
The West Point cadets have been a
feature of every Inauguration, but by
a point of order recently made in the
house they are to be debarred from
the Wilson Inauguration. Four years
ago the cadets literally cut their way
to Washington. When they reached
Baltimore the snow blockade was such
that no trains could be operated.
Those West Point boys went out on a
train and cut down trees, removed OBJ
structions and cleared forty miles of
railroad track, so that not only they, but
many thousands of people, could come
to the Inauguration. This year they
are to be shut out on account of the
cost of transportation.
Smoot's Troubles.
Senator Smoot, in charge of the SEN
ate, has his troubles. Senator Craw-
ford wanted to obtain the indefinite
postponement Of a bill reported from
his committee on claims. I'VE have
not a quorum here" said Smoot by
way of warning. '"rhen we will have
one" retorted Crawford with some
heat. II am not going to be played
with on this bill, will say to the SEN
ator from Utah."
An Arkansas Opinion.
docs the senator from Arkansas
yield to the senator from Kansasr'
asked the president pro TEN. of the
senate.
Certainly" replied Clarke of Arkan-
sas. '"The senator from Kansas al
ways says something worth while"
After Many Years.
Charles S. Thomas of Colorado could
tell If he desired how 1t feels to have
an ambition of quarter Of a century
gratifed. For about that time he ha:
been anxious to come to the senate
There have been many years when the