Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-05-11
Enforcement
How 1t Operates
BY William Bruckars
WHY THE SENATE2

debate. Once senator is recognized
by the presiding officer, he can so 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 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 ap-
near to waste hours or days. and even
weeks, by ceaseless discussion ana
repetition, every effort has failed to
change the basic formula of unlimited
debate. And 1t Is we'll 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-
tlves, partly because OF its great mum.
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
It stands out against apparent needs
of the nation. 1t Is responsive al
ways In tha 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, 1t can be seen readily that
the senate acts as check against
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 II there Is such an unanim-
ity of sentiment. the conclusion as
suredly Is one Of which none need
have fear.
But consider how the unlimited de-
bate arrangement operates, or may op
crate, for your good and mine. rake
the matter Of declaration OF war.
The house would receive message
from the President, would refer the
matter to a committee. and would
have the necessary resolution back
before 1t and act on 1t possibly with
In two or three days. Not SO In the
senate. Its 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
ity 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-
narlly 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-
talized. Debate proceeded, unlimited
| To for 70
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 a nullity.
So the senate moves slowly. II
wastes a 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-consdered action is eliminated
Another reason may be mentioned
explanatory of the slow-moving pro
cedure In the senate. Senators arr
elected by the entire voting popula
ton Of their state, and for d 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 Constitution!
trainers that they should have mor'
OF a national viewpoint. They arr
United States senators, despite thu
fact that frequently one Of them be
comes nothing more than state sen
ator In his efforts to do things hi
state or section of his state desires
One-third of the senate always ha
six years to plan for reelection; one
third of the membership need no
worry about campaigning for fou
years, and the remainder faces cleo
ton two years hence. From this 1t |
, to be seen that the election Is ia
enough away for a majority OF TIL
senator's that they can put aside MUG
. OF the necessary political fence
!. building. Not that any Of them eve
overlook politics. That would be a
impossible as a flight to the moor
. unless the individual decided to RI
! tire voluntarily. but the game of pe
1 litics In the senate Is obviously o