The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-03-06
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

Branch of Government.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington. March 6. = Especial J.
~Filibusters may force cloture iii the
United States senate. Successful fill
busters always take place at the close
Of a short session of congress when "A
minority decides that 1t will not per
NIT certain legislation to pass. Sue
cessful flibusters are usually conduct
ed by a minority party united. II Is
very rare that a combination Of men
from both parties will get together
aud conduct a successful dlibusteI.
Partisanship controls on such coca
sions. 1t is also a fact that flibusters
do not usually win unless there is en-
couragement given to the minority 10y
different members OF the majority.
Two years ago, when the ship pur-
chase bill was defeated by a flibuster
Of the Republicans and was helped by
several Democrats. ii would not have
succeeded had there not been a very
strong support secretly given TO the
Republicans by many Democrats who
wanted the shipping bin to fail.
1t is also "A fact that during the last
hlibuster many Democrats in the sen
ate preferred to see an extra session
rather than a long adjournment.
Long Session Needed.
1t has become evident that IA longer
session of congress is needed and that
three months do not afford sufficient
time in which to transact the impor
tant legislation. More than that.
either Il congressional or Il presideu-
tial election has been held, and much
that is new in politics has been pre-
scented which should receive attention.
Efforts have been made from time TO
time To change the constitution 50 as
to do away with "A short session of
congress and to rearrange the national
calendar SO that a new congress would
begin on the first Of the year follow
ing the November elections ana SO that
both sessions could be extended as nee
essary to transact the public business.
CIoture Fails.
Cloture is only wanted when there is
"A tilibuster on, and that is the very
time when cloture cannot be adopted.
When the Sixty-fourth congress began
propositions were made to bring about
cloture in the senate, and the Demo
cratic majority, which had suffered on
account of the flibuster at the close of
the Sixty-third congress, refused to
present a cloture measure. 1t may come
in time, but it will take long.
People and the Postofice.
The venerable ex-speaker of the
house, Uncle Joe Cannon, always takes
"A lively interest in all legislation per.
tanning to the postoflice department.
When the subject of changing very
materially the present system in re-
gard to p~ostotlices throughout the
country was under discussion the for
mer speaker had this to say I'VE
ought to popularize the government.
There is too much tendency toward
Capitalization. The postoffice comes in
closer contact with the people than
any other branch of the government,
hlh dnf 1ndliEt ouEnl w I've NdItllitA
considered"
Congressman Mondell in supporting
Cannon and opposing the motion then
before the house asserted that the prop
osition to have a postmaster in each
county, with branch offices all through
the county, would build up a great pO-
litical machine and would greatly dis
tnrh tho nraGnut narSanul rala finng IF
the people with the ~postoffice.
Penrose and Simmons.
1t is always very interesting to
watch the fencing that occurs between
Senators Simmons and Penrose, the
chairman and the ranking Republican
member of the committee on finance.
This generally ecu when some finan-
cial bill is under consideration. One
day during discussion of the last reye-
hue bill Penrose asked Simmons if he
would not accept an amendment.
Il declined TO accept that amend
ment when it was offered yesterday"
remarked Simmons.
II thought the senator might have
changed his mind overnight, as fire.
qlIently happens" responded Penrose.
Il am as strongly opposed to it as ]
was last night" declared Simmons.
so my hopes are shattered remark
ed Penrose plaintiyely.
They frequently are" was Sim
mons final comment.
Lanes Glasses.
Senator Lane of Oregon was making