Amenity

Far from feeling grieved, frazzled, petulant, as the session nears its close, Senators give every evidence of being in the best of tempers. It has been an easy session. The Republican majority has had its own way, cheerfully assisted by Democrats who were glad to supply superfluous votes on nearly every occasion. Now there is little to be done. In fact, most Senators find themselves with nothing to make speeches about. Wherefore, it is proposed that a measure of limitation of debate be enacted for the closing weeks.

Present rules of the Senate provide that debate may be limited by a two-thirds vote. When there is real difference of opinion on a subject, it is usually impossible to get two-thirds to vote for limitations; hence this rule is rarely applied.

Before the Rules Committee are measures embodying the Vice Presidential idea of cloture (limitation of debate) by majority vote. Scarcely a handful of Senators favor these proposals. Hence the Rules Committee would certainly turn them down. Hence, in order not to offend the Vice President, the Rules Committee has not met -- not once during the entire session.

But now that the Senate has completed in peace most of its business, Senator Curtis, Republican floor leader, has suggested that a compromise rule be adopted whereby a majority vote would close debate on appropriation bills. These are usually non-partisan bills. They rarely provoke debate (except occasionally, to delay subsequent bills). For the rest of the session, there is scarcely any unfinished business except appropriation bills.

There is only one reason why Senator Curtis and others want the new rule. It will, they think, make Vice President Dawes happy. At any rate, it will "save his face."*

The Vice President has proved himself a good fellow. Even young LaFollette has taken to him. Young and old would join in a slight official bouquet.

*In a most unusual inaugural speech, in March, 1925, the Vice President amazed the Senate by sentences such as: "Reform in the present rules of the Senate is demanded not only by American public opinion, but, I venture to say, in the individual consciences of the Senate itself. . . ."