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Show Dawes Raps Red Tape. With characteristic energy, Charles G. Dawes, newly-instated newly-instated vice president, at his first official appearance in the senate, threw a verbal bomb into that staid assembly when he attacked in forceful terms some of its pet customs. In his inaugural address he attacked the senate rules permitting, a one-man filibuster, scored the old method of swearing in new senators in groups of fours ; abruptly recessed the senate for the inauguration of President Coolidge, and then left the body without a duly constituted presiding officer for the rest of the day to get itself adjourned as best it could. "In pasi years," said Mr. Dawes, "because the members ' of this body have cherished most commendable feelings of fairness, courtesy and consideration for each other as individuals, indi-viduals, customs have been evolved. These have crystalized into fixed and written rules of procedure for the transaction of public business, which, in their present form, place power in the hands of individuals to an extent, at times, subversive to the fundamental principles of free representative government. govern-ment. Whatever may be said about the misuse of this power under the present rules of the senate, the fact remains that its existence, inimical as it is to the principles of our constitutional con-stitutional government, can not properly be charged against any party, or against any individual group of individuals." ; "Under the inexorable laws of human nature and human reaction", this system of rules, if unchanged, can not but lessen the effectiveness, prestige and dignity of the United i States senate." ' " Mr. Dawes' remarks, of course, were received in diver- i sif ied ways, some senators approving and others opposing, as might be expected. But the statements are worthy of thor-' thor-' ough consideration. There is' not a doubt that legislative work has been impeded at every session by just the customs j he denounces. The American people, as a-rule, are quick to ! seize upon anything new, if it proves its worth.. This spirit iloes not enter into the legislative halls. Of course, due dignity should prevail in this high, body of the government, but that does not necessitate retention of. fossilized practices j and customs, which prevail merely because someone., began them, long ago, under different conditions and different problems and usages. , Doubtless there is need of improvement, improve-ment, as pointed out by the new vice president. : , . |