The Washington times., 1914-03-28
THE PRESIDENTS VIC
TORY.

In passing through the House the
rule for Fastening consideration of
the canal tolls repeal, the President
won a victory at the point where he
| doubtless was weakest. 1t is hard to
believe there was sufficient reason
for insisting on so undemocratic a
rule as was proposed. Perhaps the
Administration supporters wanted
preliminary test in order that they
might know something abont their
strength. Perhaps they were pre-
pared, if that test should show the
need, to give Congress more specific
reasons than have thus far been
brought forward for the passage of
the repeal bill.
At any rate, it is likely that the
repeal measure will pass by larger
majority than the thirty-one which
signalized the adoption of the rule.
After all the furore that has been
stirred up in recent years about gag
rule in the House, a good many men,
bers were in positions that made it
harder for them to support the rule
! than it will be to support the bill
itself.
This is one of the cases in which
a real discussion would be of value
to the country. 1t has need to know
more about the merits of this aues-
ton than can possibly get to it as
the result of such a consideration as
is now possible. That discussion will
come in the Senate; but a Senate
discussion becomes so expansive and
diluted, under the rules of that body,
that it does not always serve the
puhlic's purpose SO we'll as the de-
bates of the House.
Take, for example, the excellently
organized and compact presentation
which Mr.. Underwood yesterday
made in the House. Its tone and
temper were ideal. 1t was, of neces-
sity, reduced to a space that made
it possible for an interested student
of the problem to listen or to read
with satisfaction. 1t may be added
that, if general circulation could be
given to the full text of Mr.. Under
woods remarks, it would hardly fail
to strengthen the hands of the men
who oppose the repeal measure.
Mr.. Underwood probably will ap-
pear shortly as Senator from Ala
bama. In that position he will be
free to talk Just as long as he likes;
and he will add to even his present
repute as a political advocate if he
will decline to avail himself of the
privilege of talking endlessly. If the
House did more real debating, such
as has marked the consideration of
this acute question, and if the Sem
ate did less of the maundering dis
cussion that is encouraged by it's
too lex rules, we would have a better
chance to learn from the Record
what the discussions are about.
That this tolls question has
brought the Democratic party to the
verge of a great disaster is not now
seriously questioned. Gentlemen may
proclaim from their places that the
differences are only such as must
arise in handling legislation; but in
their personal discussions they do
not hesitate to admit that they can
see the lines forming for the division
of their party into two forces. No
matter what the result, the line will
be drawn, as a glazier marks a slab
of glass with diamond point. The
line he draws is very insignificant
until pressure is applied; then it de-
termines where the break shall be.
The tolls issue will be debated in
many Congressional districts, and
the outcome next autumn will be an
alyzed with thought of the align
! ment of men on this question. OF
course, it has long been plain that
division must come within the party
ranks at one time or another. If not
tolls, then something else would