The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-30
Mr.. Roots Political Greed.

n
an address as that Of Elihu Root to the !
New York legislature. and you have a
measure OF the good fortune which has at
last come 10 the Empire State Of being /
represented in the United States Senate /
BY a statesman. At the very outset Mr.. [
Root declared for the parcels post, there /
By giving notice TO the country that the
express companies no longer own a Sen
atorial seat accredited to New York. That
seat viii for the next six years be oc-
cupied by man who has convictions of
his own, who is governed By reasoned
political ideals. who has grown SO &C
customed TO think nationally that it is
with some mental effort that he can
bring himself into a proper perspective
with those minor Senatorial duties. such
as the filing Of Offices. which bulk SO
hugely upon the horizons Of the Platts
and their nk- The Albany politicians. IKE
are told. tried TO read between the lines
for evidence that they had among them
a new organization leader. some one 10
guide and direct their political maehina-
tions, and to settle where the good things
should 20. We think they listened il
vain What they heard we're timely Ue-
Elections upon the immediate problems Of
state and national governments. mixed
with excellent advice TO the electorate
on the duty Of improving the quality Of
State legislatures. It must have been
something OF a novelty. though possibly
not wholly refreshing to political thirst
So far as It related to national con
Germs, Mr.. Roots remarks followed the
lines Of his memorable address before
the Pennsylvania Society. wherein he
warned the States that if they failed to
rise 10 the fun opportunities OF their
governmental authority. they would be
compelled 10 surrender power 10 The na-
ton in order that the welfare of the
whole people might be conserved He
now adds a warning that the Federal gov
eminent has about come TO the limit OF
its capacity to transact public business.
the popular tendency being 70 thrust
burdens upon it too heavy 10 be borne.
In this he holds common ground with
Mr. Taft, and both men speak from the
nationalist standpoint. Even those who
believe that government is capable Of
many extensions Of function must admit
that the increasing complexity Of The
Federal machine is q source Of danger 10
efficient administration The mere cost Of
il. If nothing else. is enough 10 give the
thoughtful pause. and the practical in
ability Of Congress to control the national
budget is a striking commentary on Mr.
Roots observation It would not be at
all surprising if the next few years should
witness a marked unwiningness on the
part OF both Executive and Congress to
increase further the responsibilities Of the
Federal administration
Mr.. Roots declaration against the cleo
ton Of Senators by popular vote end
against the initiative and referendum wiz
attract wide attention. On these matters
he speaks as statesman Of the old
school still convinced that the representa-
tive system is capable Of realizing the
best results in government. He fears
that 10 deprive legislatures OF their con
stituuonaI functions VIII tend to break
down the system Of local self-government
by weakening The governing power OF
the States It is natural fear. but
hardly warranted by the fact that public
sentiment has in recent years. under the
inspiration Of able executives. forced
from legislatures exercise Of power in
various directions essential TO protect the
people from corporate aggression The
record Of Gov. Hughes administration
shows that the legislature. as 10 speeinc
subjects Of legislation. can be reduced to
a nuIlity-a mere agency for registering
the popular wiil-withoat impairlng the
States governing power in the least It
was hardly 10 be expected that Mr.. Root.
not having been caught young enough.
should now align himself with the demo-
cratic movement that threatens to con
vert the representative system into a
mere 1ormality. and 10 strengthen the
direct influence Of public opinion over
legislation, and 3ir. Roots sphere Of use
fitness is 50 large in other directions thar
We can readily forgive him for holding
fast TO the old faith while the new is
yet IN the experimental stage.