Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-03-06
JUST ANOTHER CASE.

q great country, instead Oh sectAO'
where a senator rules as if by divine
commission.
A great nation stands Inundated be
fore the world because of the action
of twelve senator's under the rule Of
unlimited debate. This dozen blocked
the vote of seventy-six senators who
desired to extend the power of Presi-
dent Wilson of arming American ships
and protecting the rights of American
citizens on the high seas.
1t might be well for the people OF
this section to know those twelve SEN
ators, and thanks to the honor OF
Southern manhood, only two senator's
being from the South. The Democrats
are Kirby, OF Arkansas; Lane, Of Ore
gon; O'Gorman, of New York; Stone, Of
Missouri; Vardaman, of Mississippi,
The Republicans who led the filibuster.
ably aided by the Democrats, were
Ciapp, of Minnesota Cummins, of
Iowa; Gronna, of North Dakota; Ken
yon, of Iowa; LaFollette, of Wiscon-
sin; Norris, of Nebraska; Works, of
California.
The chief sinner is Stone, of Mis-
scuri-the chairman of the foreign re-
lations committee, who in some way
managed to gain that high position
before his calibre was determined by
his colleagues and the nation.
That dozen receives the following
tribute from President Wilson: "A
little group of willful men, represent
ing no opinion but their own, have rem
dered the great government of the
United States helpless and Contempt
bic"
How much better could the presi-
dent have truthfully said a wilful
group of little men.
The large majority of senators who
favored the passage of the armed
neutrality" measure desired to have
the American people properly inform
ed as to the true situation, and they
issued manifesto which was placed
IL the Record. This is remarkable
document, and read:
The majority of United States
senators favored the passage of
the senate bill authorizing the
president of the United States to
arm American merchant vessels,
similar bill having already pass
ed the house by vote of 403 to 10.
Under the rules of the senate al
lowing unlimited debate, it appears
to be impossible to obtain vote
previous to noon, March 4, 1917,
when this session of congress ex-
pires. We desire the statement
entered on the record to establish
the fact that the senate favored
the legislation and would pass it.
| if vote could be obtained"
The senate has long been remarka-
HE in the annals of parliamentary bod
les through their failure TO establish
a rule limiting debate. President Will
son in a statement says that he will
call no extra session until the rules
are changed, as the fiasco of the dying
uOuIS vi NhS tOuBA Coo WOuAu lAhCiy w
{ repeated Close akin to the unlimitet
debate is the senatorial courtesy,
whereby one senator can block tbs
nomination of the president. regardless
Of reasons.
Senators are supposed to be mef
large enough to properly manage them
selves, but it has been discovered
and grievously so, that the people arr
mistaken. The action of the twelve
disgruntled senators is a germ which
breeds unrest among people, ant
sometimes leads to force of arms.
Wilson has just entered on his sec
end term of four years. The commits
sion of a great people has been firmly
entrusted to him, Towards the whit
house with the ability and sagacit'
O such men as Wilson and LANSING
sitting in judgement. the Americas