Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1908-09-11
ATImeiy Topic.

nuch altrhihph Hiu Nl'aSc 10 thr 'N'-ia"
statesman Joseph e.. Cannon. Same i
lev weeks ago there appeared in thai
publication = lengthy discussion of the
Speakers career a. pub lie man, which |
in language snd illustration represented |
the limit ia cheap sensatioIvalism, and
abuse of privilege. This ~as follow
ed by editorials which are supposed To
be conclusive evidence as 10 Mr.. Can-
mons fitness for responsible position
in the management OF public business
aud are ia fact an srraignment of the
men who constituted the majority at the
last session of the House. They could
It any time during the session have linn
tied Mr.. Caunon's power tn one vote,
and so share the responsibility for his
plan of procedure which is TO he dis
cussed pro ahd cou during the campaign.
Ii is generally known that the Speaker
opposed the passage of several bills
which the authors, aud Golfers Week
~ regard as sure preventative measures
against misconduct of the carrying trade
and other branches Of our complex in
dustrial system. That there is "A need
of substantial safeguarding of the IN
terests Of all classes Of the people is
generally conceded. Aud in view az
this fact it is very unlikely that man
20 well informed az is Mr. Cannon
would he guilty OF the folly Of inde-
fensihle action in regard to measures
Tor improvement in affairs. Probably
feature of the campaign, perhaps the
most interesting aud considerable part
of it, will be given in "retorl
courteous" 10y the Speaker himself
And il is not unlikely that he will show
that his opposition was against the bills
as then written rather than to safe anc
sane idea of improvement in the indus
trial system. How much politics il
there in the fight against the man an,
his associates in Congress? That II
the point for consideration aud it is
matter of importance. There are too
many people who think that We ca'
hasten by Legislation tendency towar'
reform in the social state of mankiu,
which is almost as old AS the hills
And liberal or radical party are to-
apt TO foster the idea to the extent o
defeat. Then comes a period of dis
, trust and reaction. But this is an III
pardonahle depression. 1t wonld be ri
,licuous to forestall the explanation du
to the people from the doughty incl
Joe. Ii he cannot or will not justif
his policy i'll every particular, then h
critics will be entitled to vote of THANK
for their service in behalf of the peopl
:. 1t is wise to avoid the pitfall of hasti
formed opinion, not at all in accol
with the accepted principle OF the Col
en- Rule, and the Square Deal. and Il
II like. If people are to be punished
u public opinion, they have right to d
maud that their judges conform som
what to the legal method of ascertain;
IS the truth of cases. Some recent al
v noteworthy judgments and expressio
h against prominent men have mo
"a nearly resembled lynch-law than int
ligent performance of duty. 1t is nee,
sary that the laws should be supp
mented by expressions of public OPT
y ion regarding actions for which no lie
u islation is provided. But such d
nc pensation can be the most mischievo
," element in the social state when (
IL judges themselves lack the essent
qualifications for conviction of tn,
fellowmen. Worthiness consists in t
In actual realization Of ideas of reIigi
xt and justice, the ideas so often verbal
rs proclaimed. Let justice be done to ca
and all, to the full extent of the ne
in the case, and before undertaking
part of the regulation of offenders let
first justify our own notions OF justice
" But perhaps all critics are not tryi
- to be just. Essex.