Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-22

Weekly Letter From Our Special
Washington Correspondent Con-
corning National Affairs.

president TaftS nomination O.
Judge Horace II. Lurton of Tonnes
see to succeed Justice Peckham as
Justice of the United States Supra. Ge
Court does not come as surprise
Dozens of prominent lawyers aad
jurists were mentioned" for this
high Office, nearly every state having
favorite son whom it deemed
worthy of sitting on the highest
court of the land. 1t was generally
understood from the beginning that
the President would appoint Demo-
crat. There was two-fold reason
for this. The court as now organ
lied consists of two Democrats and
six Republicans. Justice. Peckham
was Democrat and the President
felt that it would be inadyisable to
go to the dominant political party
for his successor. Mr.. Taft is ex-
tremely anxious that the general
public shall continue to have conf
dence in and respect for the court OF
last resort. The appointment of a
Republican in Justice Peckham's
place would be certain to arouse adj
verse comment in Democratic ranks
the court in political controversy.
Secondly, it is generally believed
that Chief Justice Fuller will retire
from the bench before the close of
MIR. Taft's administration. He will
be seventy-six years old in February.
IT goes without saying that a Repub-
lican President, unless an exception
al condition should arise, would not
appoint a member of the opposite
political party to the highest judicial
Office of the nation.
Judge Lurton has fiawless re-
cord on the federal bench and the
only criticism against him is his age.
The argument of age appealed some
what to the President, but he felt
that the eminent judicial qualifica-
lions of his old friend more than
counterbalanced the age objection.
1t will be ten years before Judge
Lurton reaches the present age of
Chief Justice Fuller. He is in full
possession of his physical and mental
vigor and his long training as 81
member of the Federal Judiciary
has qualified him for his new honors.
Mr.. Taft would be the last man in
official life to weaken the United
States Supreme Court by the ap-
pointment of man unfit to meet
the responsibilities of that high
Office. In the absence of specific and
authoritative proof to the contrary,
bench, bar and laymen will believe
that he made no mistake in his
choice of Horace Fl. Lurton.
The role of the Democratic party
In Congress is to make trouble for
the majority. This duty is especi-
ally important at this time in view
OF the fact that the Congressional
elections will be held next year. The
slogan of Champ Clark, the minority
leader. seems to be Don't try to
formulate constructive legislation,
but aim to put the other fellows in
a bad light before the country In
carrying out this policy Mr.. Clark
and his political associates gave aid
and comfort to the so called Repuh-
lican Insurgents. They advised
them to keep up their fight on Can
non, to go after the House rules with
a sharp stick and generally, to keep
up guerilla warfare on their party
associates. This pleasant program
would, of course, help the Democrats
by giving the country the impression
that the Republicans were in dis
cordant Camps and unable to carry
out the legislative reforms of the
President.
IL seems, however, that the Re-
publicans are not to be caught in
Mr.. Ciark's net. Advices from Wash
ington are to the effect that Repre-
sentative Gardner Of Massachusetts
who led the fight at the opening of
this Congress for revision of the
House rules, has let it be know,
that he intends to devote his ener-
giles this winter to assisting his party
colleagues in the enactment of legis-
lation promised by thu Republican
party. Mr.. Gardner has not changed
his mind about the desilability of
amending the rules. He believes.
however, that the fighting OF wind-
mills, although a pleasant div u sion,
Is not profitable. Accordingly, he
has served notice that he will be- a
party to no alliance that has for its
principal object the obstruction OF
legislation. The House rules have
been adopted for this Congress and
there Is rot one chance In thousand
that they will be modified. Mr..
gardner seems to appreciate this
fact and is to be commended for mis-
ability to be good Loser" AMI to
fight his battles within the party
and at time when there is some
prospect of success.
A member of Congress from a
western state recently received a let
ter from constituent who desired
copy of a government publication
known as 1.-THE Diseases of the
Horse" He said: II am a short
coarse student and want horse
deezeez." 1t is apparent that the
Congressman's correspondent is a
Roosevelt man. Phonetic spelling
is one of the Roosevelt policies that
Will endure to the end of time even
though 1T may never have the sane
ton of learning.
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