nstitutional amendment, of its equal representation in the Senate.
Nevada with a population of less than forty thousand has her equal
voice with New York with a population exceeding seven million.
This anomaly was occasioned by concession by the larger to the
smaller States in the Convention of 1787, a concession which
made possible the establishment of the federal Union.

One essential difference between the House of Representatives
and the Senate is that to the latter "the previous question" is
unknown; no method existing for terminating debate, other than
by unanimous consent. Here, unlimited discussion and amendment
can have their perfect work. Within the last three or four decades
many fruitless attempts have been made to introduce a modified
"previous question" or _cloture,_ by which the Senate could be
brought to an immediate vote. At first blush such change might
seem desirable, but experience has demonstrated the wisdom of
the method to which there has been such steady adherence. It
secures time for consideration and full discussion upon every
question. In the end the vote will be taken. Debate is rarely
prolonged beyond reasonable limit. Not infrequently the public
welfare is imperilled by too much, rather than too little, legislation.
It was the belief of Jefferson that government should touch the
citizen at the fewest possible points. The quaint lines of the
old English poet have lost nothing of their significance:

"How small, of all that human hearts endure,
That part which laws or kings can cause or cure!"

The House of Representatives has in large degree ceased to be a
deliberative body. Under the iron rule of the "previous question"
measures of importance are hurriedly passed without the possibility
of discussion or amendment. The rights of the minority are at
times but as the dust in the balance.

Unlike the House of Lords, the Senate is in reality an important
factor in legislation. As is well known in recent years, government
in Great Britain is virtually that of the House of Commons, in
large measure through a cabinet practically of its own appointment.
The King is little more than a ceremonial figure-head, and the
House of Lords is almost in a death struggle for existence. The
end would probably come by serious attempt upon its part to thwart
the popular will as expressed through the House of Commons. The
power of Edward the Seventh is but a shadow of that exercised almost
wi