The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-07-21

Members are Long Winded Takers.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, July 21-lSpecial l.
The senate spent seven months talk.
Ing, occasionally legislating, but for
the most part talking Then the lead
ers on both sides determined that some
thing ought TO be done and agreed
upon program which provided eight
and one-half hours session each day
In the hope that legislation would
speed up" and the session might end.
These old men, for they are mostly
past middle age, have gone through
the seven months OF comparatively
cool and pleasant weather with short
sessions and long speeches Now that
we are In the heated period. the day
IL heightened. and In the sitting heat
OF poorly ventilated chamber they
Will work long hours and try to do
business that might have been trans
acted months ago.
There Is no other legislative body
just like the United States senate. 1t
has monopoly upon peculiar legisla-
tive procedure.
Long Hours Net For All Of Them.
The long hours and grilling work are
not for all OF the senator's Quite a
number of them have determined to
let those most interested do the work
and sweat In the heat Quite a lot OF
senator's have gone home and intend TO
remain there. They have taken the
position that for seven months they
have been on hand ready and willing
to transact business, they have not oc-
cupied the time In long speeches, and
they are not going to be made the vic
tins OF those who do so much talking.
Ons-third Takers.
There are ninety six senators. OF
these twenty-four are long winded
takers and are constantly giving their
views, sometimes over and over again.
On fair estimate IL may be said that
less than one third OF the senate does
the talking, keeping the others In at
tendance and making long drawn out
sessions necessary. And, strange to
say, many OF those who do so much
talking are among the most insistent
that there shall be cloture aud limited
debate I'm the senate.
Contained Rspublioanism.
The thirty-nine Republicans who vot-
ed for the Kitchin revenue bill had an
excuse for so doing. according to be-
lated speeches published In the Record.
1t appears from quite number OF
speeches that the bin was about fifty
nifty Democratic and Republican 1t
was said TO be filed with Republican
doctrine. particularly that part which I
prevented dumping, protection to dye
stuffs and the tariff commission.
Congressman Good OF Iowa, speak. |
ing OF the bill. said, 1T contains so
much Republicanism and so little OF /
Democracy that l am unable to see
how Democrat can consistently vote
for IT,
Boosting the Elks.
The Order OF Elks got boost In the
house the other day Minority Leader
Mann secured an agreement to prevent
a roll call so that members Of the
house could go to Baltimore and per
ticipate In the big Elk convention.
Who 10 Responsibie7
Congressman Morgan OF Oklahoma
was arguing as to the responsibility OF
the government In case an intoxicated
employee was injured on government
work. He went on TO say that to some
extent the house and the government
were responsible for every man who
became intoxicated, his theory being
that as long as the government per
mitted the sale of intoxicants II bad
responsibility.
A man usually gets drunk volun-
tarily. does he not?" asked Humphrey
of Washington.
well, have not had any experience
along that line and cannot tell" was
Morgan's reply.
TribbIs's Experience.
Congressman Tribble of Georgia still
has hopes that some attempt may be
made to save money, but they are wan
ing. II realize" he told the house the
other day, that the man who speaks
for economy In this house gets no ap-
plause.'
And yet the house was elected pledg-
ed to economy. But this Is not an eco
nomical congress. This Is real spend
Ing congress.
Cannon Did Not Know.
Former Speaker Cannon has way
OF saying what he thinks. Speaking In
the house on the Mexican situation and /
Americans In Mexico, he said Our
former secretary OF state said, We
did not invite you to 60 down into
Mexico; take care OF yourselves That
was his language In substance. In the
fnllness of time Mr.. Bryan got out. I
do not know whether he fell out with