The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-05-12

1t Operates
BY William Braekart
WHY THE SENATE?

THE senate. through the years, has
i been termed the greatest delibera-
tive body In the world. That is be-
cause its own rules allow unlimited
debate. Once senator is recognized
by the presiding officer. he can go on
and on with his speech; he can talk
about anything he desires to discuss.
except to cast aspersions on fellow
senator's or members of the house. and
his statements may not be challenged
In a court of law.
Senators are jealous of their pre-
negatives. They are constantly on
watch against any move that threat
ems to limit debate Though they APP
pear to waste hours or days, and even
weeks, by ceaseless discussion and
repetition, every effort has failed to
change the basic formula of unlimited
debate. And it is well that no change
ever has been accomplished. for In
that very fact there is a measure of
safety for the country that is often
| forgotten.
Whereas the house of representa-
tives. partly because of its great num-
bers but more particularly because Of
| the shorter term of members, Is quite
susceptible to public reaction on
whatever public question absorbs at
| tention at the moment. the contrary
is generally the case in the senate. ]
do not mean that the senate goes
against the will of the people. or that
| 1t stands out against apparent needs
| of the nation. II Is responsive al
ways In the end, but 1t moves more
slowly because additionally 1t has
given more thorough consideration to
every question In an open exchange
of views than Is ever possible in the
house with its larger membership.
Thus, it can be seen readily that
too hasty action. Legislation cannot
possibly be rushed through the senate
without extensive debate unless every
body is In accord as to the need there
for. And If there is such an unanim-
ity of sentiment. the conclusion as
/ SuIeUly 10 OHC VI "h1(h AohC ACON
have fear.
But consider how the unlimited de-
bate arrangement operates, or may OPP
crate. for your good and mine. Take
the matter of a declaration Of war.
The house would receive a message
from the President, would refer the
matter to a committee. and would
have the necessary resolution back
before it and act on 1t possibly with
In two or three days. Not so in the
senate. It's committee might quickly
report it's findings and recommend
passage of the resolution declaring
state of war in existence. Senators,
however, who doubted the advisable
fly of the course would not allow
precipitate action. Such was the case
In the declaration of war against Ger
many in 1917. There were the 'wilful
twelve" you will recall. They thought
a declaration of war was improper
and they blocked action. In that In.
stance. however. the sentiment of the
country was overwhelming and vote
was reached more quickly than ordi-
narily happens.
In the case of the treaty of Yer
sailles and the covenant of the League
of Nations, the situation was differ
ent President Wilson recommended
ratification of the treaty and adher-
ence to the League Nevertheless,
some of the senators thought the sen.
timent of the country had not crys-
tallized. Debate proceeded. unlimited
debate It continued for weeks. News
papers of the country took sides. The
country was fully informed. and event.
ually the proposal to join the League
Of Nations was so qualified that II
was nullity.
So the senate moves slowly. II
wastes lot of time; of that there
can be no doubt Moreover. at times
1t appears almost stubborn. because
OF its apparent do-nothing attitude.
Yet therein is strength for the nation
and Its citizens for the possibility
Of ill-considered action is eliminated.
Another reason may be mentioned.
explanatory of the slow-moving pro-
cedure in the senate. Senators are
elected by the entire voting popula.
ton of their state. and for term of
six years. They are not quite as close
to the rank and file of the citizens
as are the representatives. 1t was
contemplated by the CONSTRUCTORS
trainers that they should have more
of national viewpoint. They are
United States senators. despite the
fact that frequently one of them be-
comes nothing more than a state SEN
ator in his efforts to do things his
state or section of his state desires.
One-third OF the senate always has
six years to plan for reelection; one
third of the membership need not
worry about campaigning for four
years, and the remainder faces cleo.
ton two years hence From this it is
to be seen that the election is far
enough away for a majority of the
senators that they can put aside much
of the necessary political fence
building. Not that any of them ever
overlook politics That would be as
impossible as a flight to the moon,
unless the individual decided to re-
tire voluntarily. but the game of Do
litics In the senate is obviously on
the basis of longer range. and states.
manship often dominates.
q. 1892 Western Newspaper Union.