Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05
Senate Must Act


senate. the armed neutrality bill has
failed Of passage by the Congress OF the
nited States, and, to the eternal shame OF
the Senate filibusterers. the President must
face the situation alone. Behind him stands
the country. but the Senate. which should
stand by his side. supporting and helping him
has permitted futile courtesy to Il few un-
worthy men to put it in this most unhappy
position.
Senators La Toilette. Norris. Gronna Cum
Minis and Jones will always be inseparably
lipked III memory with this black incident in
Americas history. but little less conSpicu-
Gus is Senator Stone. whose efforts were
also lent to defeat tho measure which was
designed To approve the Presidents dctermi-
nation to uphold American rights on the seas
Five Others Joined with these in obstruct-
ing the passage of legislation necessary 10
uphold the honor of the United States and
preserve the safety OF its citizens. That these
eleven men were enabled to block the course
of The President and To force the Senate 10
disregard the will Of the people AT such a
crisis. sounds the doom Of that senatorial
courtesy which permits physical ability TO talk
and talk and talk to Interfere with the prog
resi OF government by representations
Bitter and incisive as arc the Presidents
words concerning the course of these men
WHO have SO misrcpresentcd the people they
are temperate under the circumstances. Not
an Unjust, not an unwarrantcd word. is con
tanned in the Indictment: "a little group of
Wiiius men, representing no opinions but
their own, have rendered the great govern
mcnt ot the United States helpless ana con
temptible. Until the wrong is righted this
government will seem both helpless and con
tcmptible.
Rni the wrong must he righted: the people
demand II. and the Senate must hear and
reed Influenced perhaps by the statute for
bidding merchant ships To resist public yes
Sels q other nations. the President has come
TO The conclusion that he may have been
mistaken in assuming no had authority 10 a.t
without express delegation OF power by con
Sr"ss. Fun authority To equip merchantmen
with arms has been voted him by The House
"i REPRESENTATIVES. by more than 400 to ;;
miserable thirteen, and seycnty-six Senators
nave signed remarkable manifesto setting
OUT their concurrence Opposed to this over
whelmins vote OF confidence and approval
stand eleven men in the Senate OF the United
States They oppose the people themselves
Ana IN" people will not submit To he ruled
by eleven men.
VI course. an extra session will be ncces-
Sary- Backed by more than 500 representa-
uVes III Congress and by country ablaze win
indignation and resentment against enemies
aoroad and at home. the President will again
call on Congress to give him authority ia
maintain the nations honorable place in tho
"or!1 and TO safeguard the lives and rights
81 me American people And the Senate ,nust
make II possible for that extra session n
WIPE out The shame inflicted on the country
h"l little group OF willful men" must be
o"prNeH OF their power 10 work incalcuablc
injury to the United States
1t rests with the Senate TODAY IN p,h,,,
the counlry's honor and preserve i,s snratv
bN sacrificing a rule which has outworn lis
usefulness and has become ii weapon apaius,