The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-04-17

| WisHt Sdlu ne ndu not decided 10 accept
the place. He has large business in the
south and he does nto know positively
that he will be able to arrange his af-
fairs. The impression is, however, that
Mr.. Wight will accept.
| Head Ship chandlery Business.
New Orleans, April 16.-Pearl Wight is
| at the head of the large ship chandlery
business of Woodward, Wight & Co., of
this city. He is prominent also in the
financial and banking business of New
Orleans. Although an influential politi-
cal worker, he has not been holder OF
important political offices.
government, while the proposed policy to
destroy the states, except in name, would
effectually bury the principle of local self
government now safeguarded in our dual
system.
I'm one of our religious conventions 1t
was once proposed in prayer for tho
country to substitute for. United States
the word nation but this form was
agreed on: % Lord, bless these United
States Since it has been construed, how
ever, that the words United States have
two different meanings. possibly it might
be advisable to have a reconsideration,
1t may be known on which United States
it is to descend: the one where the ben
Gifts of the constitution are enjoyed, or
the one where they are denied.
Passing to Federal Government.
Furthermore, If the present plans pre-
vail the word nation might as well be
substituted. for is not jurisdiction here
tofore exercised by the states unques-
toned gradually passing into the hands
| of the federal government as Mr.. Root
| federal secretary of state, declared in a
recent speech? Are not test cases now
pending instituted by the presidents ap
proval denying the rights of the states re-
garding their schools, that foreign ma
ton may be placated? What humiliat-
ing outcome of our colonial policy,
"And still further, is 1t not contem-
plated that the federal government shall
have practically exclusive regulation of
all railroads engaged in any interstate
| commerce, and prevent or effectualy in
! terfere with all state regulation or even
within state business? Has not a member
! of the interstate commerce commission
, said recently that it is the duty of the
| commission to protect interstate carriers
as well as shippers from state enactment?
| And. has not the President, within tho
I, last few weeks given forth utterances to
mould public opinion along these lines?
| Resort to Courts.
! How easily these plans can be defeat
( ed on a direct issue before the people.
| But it is not proposed to change the con-
stitution by amendment but by resort
to the courts. Already the legal battle
| has commenced. The monetary and moral
sides of political questions have been dis
| cussed, but now the legal side looms up
! on the horizon. Those who fear the peo-
pie seldom deal honestly or even can
didly with them. But Mr.. Bryce has done
| a great service in drawing aside the cur
tain so that the people can see from dis
Interested point of view the methods to
| circumvent them
! How does he say the changes are
| made, or to be made? BY amendment?
No. He says that method has been found
too slow and difficult" Too slow and
| difficult. Let the dominant party propose
| amendments providing for income tax
election of the United States senators and
| judges by the people. trial by jury in
| contempt cases, If need be, and they will
! find the method not so slow and diff
| fcult as they would have our English
| friend believe
| but what does Mr.. Bryce say is the
method of changing our constitution? IN
| genuity of lawyers, he says. has dis
| covered one method in Interpretation,
while the dexterty of politicians has in
| vented variety of Devices The usual
! argument. he says, is necessity, and that
| the end justifies the means; and yet Chief
| Justice Fuller declared. in the insular
| case in the supreme court of the United
states. that the 'desirabilty' of what was
| contended for could furnish no basis for
judicial Judgment and that the remedy
| If needed, was by amendment which the
| constitution itself provides for.
Politics on the Bench.
"And Chief Justice Mansfield Of the
highest court of England. even used
stronger language against politics on the
| bench when he said. The constitution
, does not allow reasons of state to in
! fuence our judgments. God forbid 1t
| should, We must not regard political
consequences. We are bound to say: Fiat
| Justtia ruat coelum. We are to say what
/ we take the law to be; If we do not.
we prevarcate with God and our own
! conscences.'
/ when amendment is Stunned. 1t is a
| confession of fear of the peoples oppo-
| sition, and IL the people are opposed. that
, ought to be sufficient reason why 1t
should not be done. and In such case a
righteous public opinion. such as Web
| ster describes should say. 1t shall not
| be done; that to observe the law is as
| binding on president, a governor,
| Judge or any official. as on the humblest
| citizen; for If the law is not obeyed by
those in authority, how can it be ex-
| pected that those not in authority will
respect. even though they be forced to
| obey. the law?
| Let the day. therefore, be hastened
| when law. divine and human. shall be up
held by everyone, where there shall be