An Admonition

The following extracts represent the substance of the inaugural speech of Senate President Charles G. Dawes:

"In my conduct I trust I may yield to no Senator in fairness, courtesy and kindliness and in deference to those unwritten laws which always govern any association of gentlemen, whether official or private. It shall be my purpose not to transgress in any way those limits to my official activity determined by the Constitution of the United States and by proper parliamentary procedure. . . .

"In past years, because the members of this body have cherished most commendable feelings of fairness, courtesy and consideration for each other as individuals, certain customs have been evolved. . . .

"But, however natural has been the evolution of the present rules . . . what would be the attitude of the American people and of the individual Senators themselves toward a proposed system of rules if this was the first session of the Senate of the United States instead of the 69th? What individual Senator would then have the audacity to propose the adoption of the present Rule 22 without modification, when it would be pointed out that, during the last days of the session, the right that is granted every Senator to be heard for one hour after two thirds of the Senate had agreed to bring a measure to a vote, gave a minority of even one Senator, at times, power to defeat the measure and render impotent the Senate itself? . . .

"Who would dare to contend that, under the spirit of democratic government, the power to kill legislation, providing the revenues to pay the expenses of government should, during the last few days of a session, ever be in the hands of a minority or perhaps one Senator? Why should they ever be able to compel the President of the United States to call an extra session of Congress to keep in functioning activity the machinery of the Government itself? Who would dare maintain that, in the last analysis, the right of the Senate itself to act should ever be subordinated to the right of one Senator to make a speech . . . ?

"Were this the first session of the Senate and its present system of rules, unchanged, should be presented seriously for adoption, the impact of outraged public opinion reflected in the attitude of the Senators themselves would crush the proposal like an eggshell.

"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. . . .

"To the performance of this duty-a duty which is nonpartisan, a duty which is non-sectional, a duty which is alone in the interest of the nation we have sworn to faithfully serve-I ask the consideration of the Senate, appealing to the conscience and to the patriotism of the individual members."