Gloucester County Democrat., 1900-03-08
SINGLE COPY FIVE GENTS
NUMBER 81

"The Initiative and referendum
method Of constitutional construction
might lead to disaster. 1t would GER
tainly leave our system OF government
constantly in doubt. It would be dan
gerous alike to all classes. At one time
the common people might be deprived
of their liberties, at another the rich
might be despoiled of their wealth. At
all times subyersion Of government
would be possible.
yet 1t is foreseen that this nation is
not going to be forever held in restraint
by the defects of It's constitution or its
lack of adaptabiIity to new conditions
and that If these defects are not cor
rected In the fearless and proper way,
through formal revision, situation Is
likely to develop In the very near fIl-
ture where the constitution win be
held in contempt and the only recogniz-
ed constitution will be the demand OF
the hour coming from any class Of peo-
pie who for the time being are power
full enough to enforce their win.
"As yet the suggestion Of a national
constitutional convention is made In a
timid whisper under the breath, but 1t
is occupying the minds of good many.
and it is likely to develop into public
agitation Of the question within a COM
paratiyely short time
Now, be it remembered what The
Star is. 1t is a great newspaper pub
lished at the seat Of the government.
1t is said to be money maker. 1t has
a very large circulation for so small
a city. 1t is read by nearly every pub
lie man in Washington. II would not
dare to print such an article If it did
not think that it pleased Republican
leaders. Such words uttered by a pct
house politician would not be worthy
OF attention or of remark. butappearing
in great daily paper Of the dominant
party, In the shadow of the capitol.
they must furnish food for thought
The Pride of Democracy.
Joseph w. Bailey of Texas closed the
debate for the Democrats, and he made
a constitutional argument worthy of
the greatest constitutional lawyer in
the best days of the supreme court.
He is the pride and glory of the Demo-
cratic party.
Jonathan P. DolIiver Of Iowa closed
for the imperialists. He dealt Ia sky
scraping rhetoric steered clear Of logic
and supreme court decisions, whooped
up the boys as though making stump
speech on the prairies Of Iowa, tackled
Bailey only once or twice and for 50
doing got thump on the solar plexus
which neither he nor those who wit
messed it are likely to forget to their
dying day. His speech was fine dis
play of verbal pyrotechnics- worthy Of
a Fourth of July oration-merely that
and nothing more.
1t is with pleasure that l introduce
to the readers OF these letters young
Democrat who is destined to high
career If he lives, Hon. William Cor
ed Judge Turner. who was recognized
as one of the strongest men Of his day
in the house. My prediction is that
Brantley will soon stand In the front
rank among congressional speakers.
His speech on the Porto Rican mon
strasity was a masterpiece Of log1cs his
toFicaI Information and cf eEoqHence.
He not only occupies but hlIs the great
place held BIZ Judge Turner.
The substitute offered by Mr. Mccall
Of Massachusetts in conformity with
the presidents message was lost by a
vote of 173 to 159, queer commen-
tary on the occult influences which
control tfiS adpi0isfra tiOr
Mr.. Richardson's motion to recommit
was lost by a vote Of 1T2 to 162.
The bill as amended was carried by
a vote of 1T2 to 161.
Powers of Vermont, Bromwell OF
Cincinnati and Tompkins of New York
spoke against the bill and then voted
for it.