The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-11-20
CURB THE

From the Chicago Times-Herald.
Two well-established decisions are
brought into conspicuousneSs today. The
nrst Is that the government of the United
states is a popular government. The Sec
ond Is that the government of the United
Kingdom OF Great Britain n Ireland is
a monarchlal instead OF n popular gov
ernment What is meant by a responsible
government. To whom Is the executive
of the United States responsible? Presum-
ably to the people of the United States.
For what Is the executive of the United
states responsible? BY oath of those
constituting 1t for enforcement of the
constitution and laws of the United States,
and of the will of the people clearly ex'
pressed in an Ineligible M authentic
manner.
The president of the United States may
not without the concurrence and authori-
zation OF congress engage in any under
taking for the enforcement of treaty obli-
cations when the consequences of his acts
would involve the country in war. Never
theless, the congress the president is
soon to meet Is one uninstructed by the
people on the chief question which the
executive must now undertake to solve
namely, whether or not a foreign soyer-
eighty may with physical force break
treaty obligations with another American
country, and, supporting fraud by arms,
acquire a huge portion of American soil
FOR purpose hostile to the interests and
honor or the United States. on the other
manu-, tnc cNecuuNe OF the government or
Great Britain, subject to an unwritten
constitution. but more directly in touch
with the popular will, carries out n we'll
known desire of the electorate of Eng
land at least, and, supporting fraud by
force. has already, in shameless defiance
or diplomatic usages and of treaty obliga-
lions, stealthily transported troops into
a territory title to which is known to be
be In dispute. and the dispute subject, un-
der numerous precedents and by express
agreement, to arbitration.
ii
There are advantages in an unwritten
over a written constitution. Doubtless
the states forming the American union
are safest under a written constitution.
Many chapters, however, in the national
history emphasize the need of a speedy
attempt so to recast the federal COMPACT
as to make the executive really and prac-
tically responsible to the people, that Is
to say, to give the president and his adj
visers a congress elected within a reason
able period preceding its actual life. The
congress which President Cleveland is
to meet next December is for all useful
lntents and purposes a dead body. Its
functions should have ceased with the
election of its successor.
II
Under the federal constitution as 1t now
reads and works 1t can scarcely be said
that there Is a responsible or popular gov
eminent In the United States. In this
juncture, as has been the case in the past.
the executive must take the national man.
ua.e rum the popular VIII as conveyed
through the press and public meetings.
IT.. however, the congress still exclusively
potent under the constitution should re-
fuse to effectuate the popular will as thus
formulated the executive will be helpless.
Lord Salisbury on the contrary, If the
commons should not do what he believes
the electorate desire done. can appeal from
the Legislature to the electors. The Bril-
fish government, therefore, more truly in
the working of Its highest machinery is n
popular and responsible government than
the government Of the United States,
A Thankful Note.