Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-14

With the change in personnel there
has been a change in section. No longer
will state
Method of Selection iesisls-
Also HISS Been Changed. in ,rus, s
with the picking of their state represent
atives in Congress-the senators. Popu-
lar elections. by which the people them
selves will decide who is to be intrusted
with senatorial togas, have given impetus
to the idea of seating younger men.
There are constitutional limitations
surrounding the age Of those intrusted
with senatorial duties, however. it being
impossible for any man to hold seat
In this highest of legislative bodies un-
less he be thirty-ffve years old and nine
years citizen Of the United States.
tional stipulations. an entirely self
governing body. The rules of pro-
cedure are largely the result of cur
rent necessity. Procedure itself is al
rulings of past presiding officers. BY
unanimous consent the Senate can do
anything 1t chooses as long as it does
not conflict with the prescribed funda-
mentals laid down at the birth of the
nation. Unanimous consent. in fact.
is the power behind the Senate in ali
it's deliberations. The Vice President
OF the United States in the Senate's
procedure may make a ruling. This
ruling on certain points of order may
be shown to be in conflict with a ruling
of a past presiding officer Investiga-
ton may show that even another for
mer Vice President may have ruled in
an entirely different way on an almost
Identical question The Vice President
may then, IL he chooses, refer the sttua-
ton to the Senate. and the Senate
itself, by unanimous consent, determine
the moot point and adopt a ruling for
the power of the Senate vested in
itself. and In several instances in the
course of its life it has had to take
Just such action that further business
Of the body be facilitated.
The Senate, with its other duties,
shares with the President the power
OF m n Q
Shares Power ~ treaties. These
Making Treaties. with the PEOPLES
Of other nations-in the early days of
the country with tho Indians who in
habited United States domain-are by
necessity submitted to the Senate for
ratification. Strenuous opposition by
senators has been the cause of defeat
ing many proposed agreements. and SO
, long as the Senate exists. 1t will stand
as a shield against the inauguration
or perpetuation Of treaties which are
deemed against the interests OF the
United States. and which may be pure
examples Of the usurpation Of execu-
tive privilege.
The power Of the Senate also Is felt
! in governmental appointments. Con-
gress may vest the appointment Of In
heads OF departments or courts Of law
| but ambassadors. ministers and con-
suls, justices of the Supreme Court and
all positions which are not filled by the
President. heads Of departments. or
courts can be appointed only by the
advice and consent of the Senate. This
| includes the officers of the army and
navy. This one feature has led to pro-
ionged and bitter lights in the Senate
on nominees for various governmental
positions Politics oftentimes ID. and
has been. the basis for opposition. but
1t generally can be stated that con.
veal Influences confirmation Of mos,
appointments.
One of the most important powers Of
the Senate is its jurisdiction as a higf
| court Of i'm
Senate Il High pea mens
| BY virtue o.
! Impeachment SosAt' constitutions
provision the House Of Representatives
| can place every national oficer. includ
ing the President Of the Unitsd States
on trial before the Senate Tor treason