The age-herald., 1902-01-21
Washington Day by Day

washington. January 2o.-(SpeciaL)- Perhaps the most singular of all phen- omena that pertain solely to general so- cial conditions is the abruptness with which all the journals sometimes cease as if by pre-arranged concert Of actioh' to give the news of or discuss great moral issue of vital concern to society at large. 7
 We are accustomed even in our day to the somewhat eccentric condition Of so- ciety in the exclusive sense first neglect ing and finally forgetting the supreme at- tributes and claims of society in the generic. This is what produces revolu- tions in most instances of such out bursts. It cost Charles the King his head. and in the fullness of time cost his royal successor the New World. Then the head of Lo is the King fell into the same basket with the swineherds, pot boys, and horse leeches of Paris. To come down to the numerous later in- stances of rule of inalienable right that was wrung from John the King by the barons seven centuries ago is not now needful.
 But it remains astonishing that the journals of the twentieth century, which are presumed to be omniscient, if not omnipotent, should suddenly cease to keep in touch with such vital issue of general social welfare as, by way of exananIa fl,a s,,npreseion of anarchists in the Republic--not anarchy, as the con- dition is sometimes miscalled; nor an- archism, for a condition of evil mind cannot be suppressed. though it is quite possible to repress 1t.
 For the space of three months the journals devoted much daily labor to anarchists and their villanies, although for years previous they had in large measure ignored that class of ruffians; knew as much about them all the while as is known now, yet ignored them. The passionate outburst caused by one in- famous and monstrous act resulted in the introduction of numerous bills in the national legislature which sought to eff
 
 For some forty days or less these bills and their purposes were daily discussed and then-there was silence The jour nals have failed to follow the bills into committee, although aware that this na- tion Is ruled by committee. Most aston ishing, you say. Truly!
 As matter of fact, the statute-making power of the House of Representatives, to-wit, has been and is now passing anx- ious days in the consideration of the leg islation proposed by the various bills aimed at the anarchists. 1t Is news in the real sense of that term, that the labors of the committee are now rapidly assuming shape, and within few days bill will be reported to the House and most probably passed covering the main purpose of the people to suppress the anarchists.
 It is privately ascertained of absolute authority that there have been wide diff ferences of opinion amongst the members of the judiciary committed the most seri- ous of which is the proposition that United States courts shall have sole juris- diction in the trial of all persons who may attempt to slay the President or Vice President, or any cabinet officer; that is to say, any person who shall make or cause to be made an attempt upon the life of the President or any one in lawful line of succession to the Presi- dency shall be tried in United States court only.
 This serves to Eve new emphasis to the irrepressible conflict of views between those Americans who favor an extension of the powers of the general government in-s sthe direction of that centralism of which Alexander Hamilton was the first American master and against which Thomas Jefferson was and is the ideal opponent. As long as the Republic en- dures in form, and after, centralism and the broader democracy will be in con- fiict
 Those members of the Judiciary com mittee who stoutly oppose giving to Uni ted States courts the sole power to try persons who commit crime against the life of the President or any one of the -o&-s