Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-08
Mr.. WEST on FEDERALISM
COMMISSIONERS TALKS TO MT.
PLEASANT MEMS CLUB.
Development and Growth of the Fed
eral Instinct in the Ameri-
can People.

District Commissioner West was the
speaker Of the evening before the Mems
Club OF the Mount Pleasant Congrega-
tional Church last evening. his subject be-
ing '.The Development and Growth of
Federalism in the United States Com
missioner Vests address was review of
the development and growth of the fed
eral instinct in the American people. Be-
ginning with the action of four New Eng
land colonies In 1643. when the articles of
agreement for mutual self-protection
against hostile Indians and for the extra
dit:on OF criminals We're adopted. Mr..
West sketched the growth of the fedora
ton idea resulting in the articles of con-
federation and then in the adoption of the
American Constitution.
He empha sized Chief Justice MarShalls
decision as a most important factor in the
development of the federal idea and then
referred briefly to the laws which had
been adopted by the national legislature
enlarging the federal power; stating that
while the problems which were the out
come of the present complex civilization
were not the same as those which con-
fronted the early colonies. they were as
important and demanded the exercise OF
what Chief Justice Marshall called 1.-The
strong arm Of the government.
Mr. West also pointed out that all the
amendments proposed to the Constitution
which had received anything like popular
support were in the direction of greater
federal power rather than charging the
reserved rights of the state. He said
that personally he was in favor of the
largest possible degree of states rights.
but that unquestionably the trend of the
public mind, as shown by legislation. was
in the direction of greater liberalization.
In conclusion, he stated that the SUI
preme Court today, as in the days or
Marshall, occupied a most important posi-
ton. and that the duty now imposed upon
this court was greater in its RESPONSE
bilities and future effect upon the nation
than had ever before been the case in the
history Of that tribunal. He paid high
tribute to the court and said that 1t
could be trusted to deal equitably with
the states, while at the same time uphold
ing the federal power whenever that pow
err was exercised for the public good
j. H. Smith, a visitor from Cleveland.
solos both before and after Commissioners
Vests address. Refreshments were
served in the gymnasium Of the church.
Officers of the Club.
The Mount Pleasant Mems Club is one
OF the rapidly growing organizations OF
the northwestern part of the city and af
fords entertainment Of the highest order
once a month through the winter season.
The membership is something over 200,
and the club is differed as follows this
year: President. Maj. John r. Clements;
first vice president. Dr. c. Dwight Marsh;
second vice president. Daniel w. Edelin,;
third vice president. John Doyle Carmody;
corresponding secretary. j. II. Fishback:
recording secretary. W. A. F'itzsimmons;
treasurer. William X. Quinter. The work
ing committees of the club are composed
of the following men:
Religious work committee - Dr. C.
Dwight Marsh. NJ. A. Baldwin. Dr.
Charles L. Bliss. Rev. w. e DeRiemer,
DR.. A. NJ. Harrington, John B. Sleman,
jr..; a. l.. Sturtevant and w. Q. Tufts.
Phlanthropic committee Daniel w.
Edelin,, c. W. Burrows, L. NJ Cleveland,
E. G. Brown. w. J. Bowman, T. P.
Maitland. E. A. Newman and Robert H.
Young.
Social committee-John Doyle Carmody,
George c. Altemus. P. a. G!bbon, Dr.
E. S. Bradford. DR.. George B. Corey, A.
E. Fisher. DR.. H. I. Harding and William
Montgomery.
Membership committee-A W. Tracy
f. NJ. Aten. Dr. Robert Lynch, NJ. T.
MoomaW, Edwin E Putnam H. L.
Strawn. ]. S. Swormsteh and Frank
Wenner.
Reception committee-Norton NJ Little,
DR.. G. w. Appler, e. B. Henderson, John
Hinton, Fred e. Mann W. G. Miller,
Percy H. Russell and B. T. Webster.