Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-08
Senate Must BE Freed

THERE should be no delay-we> believe
there will be none,-in the adoption Of
the rule for a modified cloture. which has
been framed by a joint committee of Demo-
cratic and Republican Senators. :, 1t will safe
guard every legitimate right which the old
rule of unlimited debate has been relied on
to uphold and free the Senate from the
despoilsm now capable OF being exercised by
a single pair Of brazen senatorial lungs
For years the country has rebelled against
recurring exhibitions of what, with a fine
irony. has been called senatorial courtesy
II is quite true that evil or ill-considered
legislation has been talked to death, but it is
equally true that other legislation. wise and
bonelcent in purpose and import, has shared
the same fate. This last shameful exhibition
which. by blocking the resolution to provide
protection for American merchantmen made
inns great government helpless and CON
temptible." did not stop there. 1t also pre-
vented the passage Of the bill to legaize joint
foreign selling agencies, of the whole pro-
gram OF conservation and government land
development, OF the army appropriation bill,
the Sundry civil bill. the general deficiency
bill and the measure making provision for
the support and enlarged usefulness of the
Military Academy. 1t blocked that belated
justice to Colombia. which the President SO
strongly urged.
An extreme case of this character has been
required to force the Senate to action. Tn
limited debate has been defended i'm the mast
by able and high-minded Senators and by a
considerable and influential section Of the
press. II has been asserted. with a show of
reason that the Senate's .leiSurely procedure
and prolonged delberation were essentials of
us being. designed to protect the country
against the radicalism of the lower house
and against the tendency OF that branch TO
yield TO an excited popular clamor This de-
teEse has been we'll received In the South be-
IN 80 In ca 4, h,,..
infamous force bill owed its defeat TO a
hilbnstcr conducted by Senator German
hut the old reasons have passed Not for
more IMAM decade. even when the Repub-
leans were in control of every department OF
the government, has it been possible to put
through Congress measure placing elections
i'll the South under the control of Federal
Jailed, not because Of iibuster but be-
cause the project could not muster suf-
hcent number of Republican votes.
The rule which has been proposed prevents
legislation against which the intelligence Of
one more than third OF the Senate's mem
hership revolts. 1t gives ample protection to
every Southern right and to every other right
even under the old Senate theory. What II
destroys is what should be destroyed-the
privilege which "a little group of willful men,
Eas exercised TO affront the public conscience
and s'iie the public will
NO such power is exercised in any other
delberative body in the world. 1t cannot
fairly be defended because of it's spasmodic
henchcent influence. There was never
lyraht. though his hands reeked with the
blood or the innocents, who could not point
10 some kindly and mercful. or wise and
provident. action. TO justify the continuance
Ct his rule. y single Senator. as matters
stand and as the facts have shown NAV make
hls country appear helpless and contemp-
'ibe" i'll the sight OF the world What il
such power may or has been used to good
purpose? The same thing may be said with
equal truth OF any dcspotism Senatorial
courtesy liaunts our theory of government. Of
lends our conception of justice, Knocks our
tradition and hampers our progress 1t
must go