Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-09-06

LION SOI-HIeQeral Judges, a. power Sec-l
ond to none possessed by the spresi,i
dent, the exercise Of which calls for
the highest judgment If we should
search the country for a delegate OIL
the people who could be confidently
entrusted with this important duty.d
1t Isl probab BILE that no one could COM
mand higher confidence than the re-
publican candidate for president.
Himself a Judge, learned in the wis.,
dom of the law he commanded the
respect and esteem of the entire bar
of the. country, without regard to
partisan division. BY litigants and
lawyers alike 1t was felt that when
he left his important place upon the
circuit court of appeals to undertake
his difficult duties in the Philippines,
the judicial branch Of the govern
ment had sustained a most serious
loss. And he has long been regard
ed as one IN every way worthy to
succeed the present chief justice Of
the United States. With his fairness
and acumen with his wide knowl-
edge Of the bar from which the
Judges must be recruited, with his
roadmind edness and democratic
sympathy, and his keen interest in
all that pertains to the welfare of
the people, we may be assured that
If he is selected to- perform this duty.
the interests of the country will be
impartially and wisely safeguarded in
its discharge.
Questions Which Are Not Issues
Some questions which are discussed
with no little vigor can hardly be
considered as campaign issues. Mr..
Bryan desires United States senator's
to be chosen by direct vote of the
people in the several States. Mr..
Taft also inclines to favor this course.
And am glad he does. til. .$f3
| But this can be accomplished only
( by constitutional amendment, and
! such amendment can be had only
when ratified by three-fourths Of the
| States. This would hardly seem to
be an issue upon which to select a
president. In case Of congressio
Initiative tWo-thirds Of both houses
must concur III order TO present the
1 amendment for ratification. Or If
4 the States desire the amendment and
there Is any such sentiment as prom
/! ises the necessary ratification, two
!. thirds of the States may require a
convention to be called for the pur-
pose. Further, any state may, If it
desires, provide for q direct vote
which will generally be treated by
! the legislature as binding because OF
its expression of the wish of the
people. This is the case In mum
Der Of states where senator's are prac.
4 tically chosen by direct vote now,
But as long ais there are twelve states
who do not desire the amendment
the constitutional provision for the
election of senator's by the legisla
lures cannot be charged. e ss1'5.'a
4 Again, Mr.. Bryan objects to thu
present rules Of the house OF repre-
Il sentatives and complains that it Il
/ no longer t'deliberative body" How
4 to make the procedure Of a body Of
nearly four hundred members more
fully deliberative while at the same
time to make provision for the prop
\ er dispatch OF business, how to give
! greater freedom, and how to escape
from the alleged tyranny Of the
speaker without creating new ty.
ranny of the minority, is question
which parliamentarians may discuss
to advantage. It would be well tc
have some definite statement of the
amendments desired and an opportu
! nifty to judge their effect. In an.
. event, the members of the House viii
make such rules as they think bes
and the general suggestions of the
democratic platform on this poin
can hardly be regarded as pertinent
q to the presidential campaign.
Il Election Laws.
Mr.. Bryan also has much to So.
with regard to corrupt practices and
campaign expenditures. But he oEnit'
to give due credit to the republican
party for what It has accomplished
with regard to these important re
forms, an mplishment the NOR
noteworthy In the light OF Mr
Bryan,s reiterated criticisms of con
tributions to republican campaign
d funds. In the state of New York /
3 republican legislature In 1905 passed
{. q I statute prohibiting corporation
I from making any political contribu
! tons directly or indirectly and pro
!, viding that oftcers, directors, o.
/ stockholders participating IN or con
!, senting to the violation Of the Law
should be guilty 81 i criminal offense
. And 4 know of no more drastic sta
J. tute In this country with regard x