Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-10-08
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.
HIouston Post. ]

With the approaching close of the pres
ent session of congress, much in commen-
dalton OF IL work might be said. OF
there can he little complaint. Many great
responsibilities have rested upon the law
making body and these responsibilities
have been borne tor the most part pa
triotically and quite n expeditiously as
was possible under the rules.
There Is always complaint throughout
the country about congress IN peace a.
well "a IN war. OF course. the people are
naturally more impatient IN time of war
and are quicker to criticlse, and this ac-
counts for much of the criticism.
The great majority of the members Of
each house have >ensed thes country
needs. There have been a few members in
each house. however. who have caused
vexatlous DELAYS and for these the MANY
have had 10 suffer in public estimation.
Under the rules governing congressional
proceedings, ii l. difficult Ia suppress
dilatory action. and such members a. La
Toilette in the senate have taken every
possible advantage Of the rule of courtesy
IL thwart the will OF the majority and de-
lay action.
They have been unable 10 defeat moth
me. but have irriiated the nation because
Of the way they have retarded legislation.
There have been delays IN the house of
representatives. too, but IL must be- remem-
bercd that there i no party control If the
house. The democratic organization ha,
done very well, when il Is considered thai
II had 90 gam in additions to it, own
strength substantial support from the re-
publican side 10 pass war bills.
Under these circumstances, 1t i fair 10
say the house M least has lone remarkably
well.
OF course, the house i entirely too
bulky a body for the best results. II would
be far better for the country and more
economical II IL were possible to reduce the
membership of the house 10 80 or 800.
That would make for more intelligent work
and more expeditions work. Not only that.
there would be more actual legislation by
congress and less by COMMITTEES.
No doubt we shall hear in DAYS 10 come
of tremendous waste of money. For that
congress can not be blamed. The country
was caught u~nprepared, and the work Of
creating military force adequate 10 meet
IT. exlgencles had Ia bc undertaken IN
feveri>h haste IN which money had Ia he
spent without STINT and without the usual
cIrcunsll stion.
In tins respect, our experience y not
different from that of the civil aud Span
I>h-AmerIcan wars. I'll l. the penalty of
country-not congrcss-is responsible for
that. 1t five years ago it had been Sc
rlously proposed To spend "A billion each
on the army and the navy and congress
had actually done 80. the people would
have swept the responsible party out Of
power SO hereafter when We come to
count the costs. the people will nave a. re-
iIcve congress of that responsibility and
shoulder II themselves.
congressman can not be- expected 10 10
the wlsest and most needful things.
II they are 10 be beaten at the polls for
III 80 ~ wis ~ iufi III HufntH, ana
they are all of that.
u n 10 be hoped. however. that in the
next session, which Is but two months
away, q way may be found to get action
more expedltiously upon war measures. |
especially IN the senate, even though IT he.
come necessary to take a few pro kai- |
BY the scruff of their necks and
throw them out.
Manifestly. the senate can not afford Ia
it, addiction 10 tradition IL result
IN delays that may prove disastrous to the
boys on The battle line. The exisencics oi
war may easily necessitate the doing Of
some things that would ordinarily be high |
~ objectionable.
Altogether, congress u entitled Ia the
appreciation Of the people for the remark
ably Ihhg degree of efficiency IT has ex- |
things considered.