New Britain herald., 1925-03-04
DAWES FOR CHANCE IN SENATE RULES Objects to FilibusterinS Tactics
 Of Senators
 MAKES INAUGURAL SPEECH


 ators Demands Reform in Upper
 House of Congress. l Washington. March 4.-Reform in the rules of the senate is de. manded by American public opinion and by the 'conscience of individual senator's" Vice President Dawes de- clared today in his inaugural ad- dress.
 Under the present rules, he said the rights of the American people are overlooked"
 He referred especially to the pres- ent rules which permit senator to delay proceedings indefinitely by holding the floor.
 Under this rule. the new vice president said. minority of even one senator can prevent a vote on a measure which two thirds of the senate has agreed to bring to vote.
 Although the constitution gives congress the right to make it's own rules, he said, this docs not excuse customs which might put the power in the hands of individuals to be used in legislative barter"
 Much Astonished
 There was astonishmcnt on the faces of many senators when their f new presiding officer launched at once into aa attack on time hon. orod senate rules, particularly that which permits q one man tilibuster l to hold up legislation indefinitely. , No advance copies of the address had been circulated, and the secret of the impending blow upon q pet senate tradition had been well kept.
 But if was apparent before he had finished his speech that there were many on the senate floor who agreed with him.
 , While the ceremonies in the sem . ate chamber were in progress the ; throng on the plaza outside had grown to vast proportions The
 wide open space before the capitol ! was black with humanity. The gray clouds by this time had
 given way 10 a haze like Indian summer. There still was a tang in
 the air but it was not uncomfort- able.
 The address of Gen. Dawes in the
 senate chamber took but q few a minutes and then the distinguished :, company and the spectators began J to be ushered by appointed routes ( to the stand outside.
 ', The senators applauded only
 little at the conclusion of the
 speech, toward the end of which he
 shook his clenched hand at his
 hearers with all the vigor he used
 10 show when as director of the
 budget he lcctured cabinet officers " on economy. Members of the house Y. seemed to get the most enjoyment It out of 1t.
 The rules can be found, as is the $ custom in other deliberative and u legislative assemblies 10 fully protect ' senator in his rights to be heard '' without forfeiting at any time the e greater right of the senate to act. F. The constitution of the United States " gives the senate and the house of '- representatives the right to- adopt
 their own rules for the conduct of a business, but this does not excuse 'e customs and rules which under cer- l. tain conditions might put the power 'I of the senate itself in the hands of e individuals to be used in legislative
 barter. Proper rules will protect the L. rights of minorities without surren- l. dering the rights Of a majority to o legislate.
 " Under the memorable laws Of hu- .e man nature and human reaction, this J. system of rules, if unchanged, can- n not but lessen the effectiveness. pres y tige and dignity of the United States a senate. Were this the first session Of i'd the senate and its present system of 3, rule unchanged should be presented y seriously for adoption, the impact oi ig outraged public opinion reflected in l. the attitude of the senators them er selves would crush the proposal like
 an eggshell. Reform in the present T. rules Of the senate is demanded moi fy only by American public opinion, but r. l venture to say in the indiyidua of conscience Of a majority of the mem
 bers of the senate itselt.
 AS it is the duty oD the part ot
 the presiding officer of the senate st to call attention to defective meth. of ods in the conduct Of business by tho ly body over which he prosiirs, so, un. l,- der their constitutional power. it i d. the duty Of the members of tht ar body to correct them. To eyade oi d. ignore an issue between right ant
 wrong methods is in itself a wrong k To the performance or this duty-s | duty which is -partisan-a dut!
 which is non-sectional-a duty whicf
 is alone in the interest of the natior | we have sworn to faithfully serve
 I ask the consideration of the Gcnate appealing 10 the conscience and Il
 inc patriotism of the indiyidua x members"