Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1913-05-16

general recognition Of the necessity for
action moderately conservative currency
reform might command some republican
support. If the remedy could be found,
both parties would be glad. Currency
now would relieve the long
That session. at best, will be much con
gested.
The President has good reasons for in
sistencc. With all the cutlery against too
much legislation, the day has gone when
Cnngress can properly put up the shut
terS for six or eight months of the year.
There is Il deal of work that Congress
should do, that Congress has left undne
too long. The administration plainly in
tends that much of this Legislative ar
rearage shall be cleared away.
The mental calihcr Of the new Senate
has been tested and demonstrated by the
prolonged debate over the Sundry Civil
Appropriation bill. The debate was vir-
tually confined to that exemption clause
in favor Of labor unions and farmers as
sOciatiOnS. 1t is now assured. with the
passage of that bill by the senate, that
laborers and farmers will not be prose
cutcd under the Sherman law. The topic
was largely legal, although the popular
interest therein was extensive. Several
Junior senator's spake. but the debate was
not so much an affair of maiden speeches
as was the contempOrancouS tariff debate
in the House. Older senators came for
ward profoundly and the debate was un-
doubleday enlightening.
1t showed ~cOnclusiyely that there is
much ability yet in the senate. There
have been only four or five great senates
in the history Of the country, by which
il not meant a Senate of two wears (thc
OF u Congress- hut of Il period en-
during 4 decade or more when a group Of
men stood forth. strong enough
in their grasp of affairs. 10 make Il per
hardly attainS to that standard. The
general democratic talent is mediocre.
Eminent ability. as much rs there is of
it. is chiefly on the republican side. But
prestige of the senate rests with its
members who are elected. reelected. and
re elected again. 1t requires a decade to
Il great Senator.
There are several new senators in
the making and the promise Of a very
legislative body there in the
of the next few years is good. The
great senateS have had men who were
alike great in debate, powerful at inter
the significance of policies and
measures. and wise at shaping enact
When a senate rises to such i'm
il performs the largest public
under our form of government,
and it commands public confidence.
There is probably such a senate in
prospect, but not for Il congress or two.
The evenncss with which the political
are matched there now cOnduces
to such development. The ability Of the
opposition is another favor
ing factor.
The democrats of the senate are enter
upon their first trial ut constructive
work. The tariff bill will give them .op-
portunity to show how they can meet it.
Wilson is taking from them
impetus for activity by urging that
the revision, as now drawn. be regarded
as al administration revision. He is
combating independent propensities in a
amer that makes senatorial indepcnd-
difficult. Administration bills. of
whatever character. are always a bar
rier TO real senatorial achievement. New
Artheless the democratic senate has large
opportunities to be constructive.