The morning journal-courier., 1908-04-07
STUDENTS HEAR
CANNON SCORED
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though It is so difficult TO amend the
that one would be a pro-
nounced optimist IL he were to antici-
pate that very many really important
could be carried into It In
the prescribed constitutional way. But
a constitutional convention would at
least serve as n clearing house for
thought upon and consideration of
most important governmental matters.
II would do more. for out of It's pro-
ceedings and the interest that they
would command much good legislation,
national and state, certainly would
come.
Speaking of the judiciary Mr.. Dc Ar
mond said:
In my judgment, his insight was
greatest who saw In the judiciary
branch Of our government the largest
element of danger to our republican in
stitutions. | am we'll aware that II Is
and long has been the fashion to view
this one Of the three coordinate
branches of our governmental tree with
a peculiar reverence. entirely lacking
in the inspection and contemplation of
the other branches, the executive and
the legislative. Is not much-too much
of that reverence the alteration OF
blindness, the tribute Of the subdued
intellect, paid through force Of habit,
and not the free mind offering of un-
fcttored thought?
Il am not unmindful of the fact that
from time to time, not even excepting
this epoch in our nations history, the
lines of executive authority have been
extended far But we have come to a
time when the public mind is not con-
cerned so much about the extent or the
limit Of executive powers as 1t Is about
the supposed necessity for what the
executive does or attempts, In view of
the llstless, inefficient course of sena
tors and representatives, and the rapid
and menacing increase, of Judicial pow
or, by judicial construction. So stead
lily and so greatly have the Judges
magnlfied their office that a congress
sional enactment Is lightly treated as
unconstitutional, according to the judg
mont, prejudi,e or within of the pettiest
federal Judge in the land. Is It not
enough to let the responsibility of
multiplying the legislative will rest upon
the Supreme court alone? Why not Lot
laws be laws until solemnly declared
by the Supreme court not to he laws
Why not deprive every inferior court
Of the power, or assumed power, to
pass upon the constitutionality Of acts
of congress?"
Turning towards conditions In con-
gress, Mr.. De Almond said:
"Once it was possible for few mem
hers of the lower house of congress, tc
block legislation for a good while, by
tilibustering. Now, ono man, the
speaker, exercises a veto power great.
er than that of the President The
speaker enslavcs majority and minori
ty indefinitely. Then, no one though
Of strangling important measures, ant
but few lacked the courage to meet Is
sues as they arose. Now 1t Is a An,
art in legislative legerdemaIn to &,
combine tyranny and cunning as to pre-
vent, from session to session and con
gress to congress, vote in the opel
upon measures which no majorit,
would dare 10 kill outright. Some day
perhaps, a minority manly enough t.
| fight steadily and resolutely agains
the one-man power, and for the restor
alton Of the rights of the peoples rep
resentativee, will awake to find itsel
/ in the majority; for the great Ameri
/ can people will not suffer their faith
full representatives to be permanently
or even long the victims of a despoti
speaker carrying out a despotic policy
| When the opportunity comes to YOU
/ young gentlemen, to deal with car
ism, don't trouble yourselves abou
Russia, but direct your efforts agains
the czarism which hourishes In tn
house of representatives of our owl
country"