The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-06-27

moss of time" is the only hope of solu-
ton of the gravest problem man was
ever called upon to solve.
Proceeding in his remarkable political
study. Mr.. Wilson shows that, unlike
other governments, ours in its legislative
denartment cannot be said to have
head. We quote:
"Tbis singular leaderless structure OF
orr government never stood fully reveal
cd until the present generation, and even
now awaits general recognition. Inc
trainers of the Constitution no doubt
expected the President and his advisers
70 exercise a real leadership in affairs,
and for more that a generation their ex-
nectation was fulfilled. Washington was
accented as leader no less by Congress
than nv the people. Hamilton, from
the Treasury really gave the government
both it's policy and its administrative
structure. If John Adams had less
authority than Washington, it was be-
cause the party he represented was los
ing it's hold upon the country. Jefferson
was the most consummate party cher,
the most unchecked master OF legisia-
tive policy we have had in America, and
his dynasty was continued in Madison
and Monroe. But Madison's terms saw
Clay and Calhoun come to the front IN
the House, ready to guide and cOach the
President rather than be too absolutely
controlled by him. Monroe was not of
the calibre of his predecessors; and no
party could rally about so stiff man,
so cool a partisan as John Quincy
Adams; and so the old political function
of the presidency came to an end, and 1t
was left for Jackson to give it new one,
instead of a leadership of council a
leadership and discipline by rewards
and punishments. Then tie slavery is
sue began to dominate politics, and
long season of concentrated passion
brought individual men of force into pow
err in Congress,-natural leaders of men
like Clay, eloquent advocates like Web
ster, keen debaters like Calhoun. The
war made the Executive of necessity the
nations leader once more, with the
great Lincoln at its head, who seemed to
embody, with touch of genius, the very
character of the race itself. Then re-
construction came, and we were left to
wonder what, henceforth, in the days
of ordinary peace and industry, we were
humdrum times yield us no leadership
at ALL The tasks which confront us now
are not like those which centred in the
war, in which passion made men run
together to a common work. We shall
need, not the mere compromise of Clay,
but a constructive leadership of which
Clay hardly showed himself capable"
This sample extract will whet the APP
petite of the thoughtful man to read the
whole article. 1t is not only full Of deep
interest and valuable information, but
is a literary treat as well.
Akin to Mr.. Wilson's article, COM
plement of it, so to speak, is 1.-THE De-
cline of Legislatures" by Mr.. e. L.
Godkin. 1t is more pessimistic than Mr..
Wilson's study which is permeated with
solid and substantial optimism. Mr..
Godkin's study begins with the forma-
ton and functions of the Roman Sen
ate, and traces the differences in the
legislative bodies of ancient and modern
Europe, showing that the reason why
the English have been able to preserve
what is called the cabinet system" in
their proceedings-tha is, the domin-
ance of the executive officers in the de-
liberation of Parliament-is because the
ministry has never parted with its pow
is no other country in which the legisla-
tive is thus made secondary to the exec
utive as it's exists in the ministry. In
other countries, members of the highest
legislative body at least have the right to
introduce bills, and in most of them the
members can discuss their merits. 1t was
Gar Reed throttled debate and usurped
all the functions of the House of Repre-
sentatives This is one cause Of "The
Decline of Legislatures" Men Of real
capacity have little fancy for public
career that condemns them to a great
deal of obscure drudgery, with no OPEN
ing to speak or to make reputation. The
distaste is increased when the one man
power destroys individuality and makes
machines of the entire membership Of
the House. The decline in the Senate
arises from wholly different causes. Am
bilious men covet seats in the Senate
because there they have opportunity to
debate and to make their impress on
legislation. Unfortunately in the great
States, men are chosen for subservience
to influences. desiring legislation rather
than fitness. Take the State of New
York. 1t is represented by a Democrat
and a Republican. They are both the
products of the machine and the money
power working together. They make
no pretence to craftsmanship and are
never heard in the highest forum upon
public measures. The same is true Of the
Senators from Pennsylvania and New