Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1908-06-19
EXTENSION o. PEpeRAL powfR.
Proposed Msss 10 Directly Opposed to
ths csassitutIeA.

The extension q congressional and
presidential authority in cases Of
doubtful enthusiastically, as suggest
ed by Secretary Root In his address
before the confluence Of governors,
raises question of vast importance to
the states and ths nation. The Root
idea is, a. we understand it, that one
or more states, having an interest in
legislation BY congress not authorized
by the constitution Of the United
States, may, through their legislatures,
ask congress to enact such legislation,
and thereby preclude any judicial In
Quiry as to the power Of congress in
the premises. In other words, the idea
10 that particular ststes may singly or
in combination, enter into treaties
with the federal government, whereby
they may obtain special advantages
from the latter, without the concur
renee Of other states.
This idea seems also to have the ap-
probation Of the president, and that Of
certain governors whose appetite for
q mess of pottase outweighs their re-
spect for the birthrights of their states.
Never was a more insidious suggestion
made by mortal man.
1t is interesting to recall some Of
the provisions Of the constitution
which bear upon this subject:
mo state shall enter into any treaty,
alliance or confederation"
mo new state shall be formed or
erected within the Jurisdiction Of an
other state" o.
No state shall be formed by the
junction Of two or more states, or
parts Of states, without the consent Of
the legislators thereof, as we'll as Of
congress-
"Three-fourths Of the legislatures of
the states, or conventions Of three
fourths of the states, as congress shall
prescribe, may ratify amendments to
the constitution"
when the choice Of a president
shall be devolvsd upon the house Of
representatives, the vote shall be taken
by states"
Now, suppose those states which are
eager for an appropriation from con.
gress for the establishment of the Ap
palachian forest reserve at the expense
of their nsighbors, should each invite
congress to pass such q law as 1t de
sires on that subject, though more
than three-fourths Of the states should
oppose it; and suppose five or Sin
states should combine or confederate
with a view to securing such legisla
ton, and should agree that in case the
election Of a president were thrown
into the house Of representatives, theil
: representatives should vote as a uni
! for the candidatstof that national part,
which should agree to enact such leg
islation ia spite Of al constitutions
limitations-wouid not this amount Il
a revolution! ID there no ground To-
suspecting that he insidious sugses
ton of Mr.. Root was made in view o
the possibility Int the election Of |
president may, - Q result of the mex
campaign. be thrown into the house o
representatives, 10 bribe thos'
states which have deep special inter
est in waterways, forest reserves an,
conservation Of certain national re
: sources, at the expense of other states
would be the sursst method Of destroy
v ing the federal constitution and rel
ting up without fear Of successful re
n sistance an absolute central govern
;. ment at Washington. Is it not pc:
!, sible that this end Is concealed bt
= hind the means proposed? Why shout
= anyone suggest unconstitutional an
!, revolutionary means, unless he has III
y constitutional and revolutionary end
a In view? no.
al In the fifth article Of the constit,
: ton, a method Is prescribed for e,
), tending or curtailing the limits Q
q federal authority; and heretofore tina
i method has been pursued Any deyit
!. ton from it now would be quite as III
tustifiable and tar more dangerou
n than ever before. For it seems tina
V even TIE governors OF some of tn
n southern states, whore states right
have had their citadel from the b,
ginning, are willing to play the rol