The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-12-15

! United States senator's, but as these
| resolutions were not uniform IN
wording. there is no prospect that
anything will come of il. Americans
may think that some OF the methods
employed to reform the house OF
lords are absurd, but they would do
Well TO remember that the task Is
Infinitely more simple and direct than
similar undertaking 10 reform the
senate would be in the United States.
As matter of fact, the British
constitution permits the voters 10
have a very much greater direct In
fiuence in public affairs than does the
American constitution. The suffrage
is limited In England TO II greater eX-
tent than IL Is in America. there are
special privileges legally enjoyed by
wealthy and noble persons which
would be repugnant TO American ia
situations. and there is a caste sys'
ten. wholly foreign TO the essential
Democracy of the great Republic. But
understanding these limitations,
the British elector> has the right not
only 10 east his vot con one side or
the other of "A great political con.
troversy. but he also has the right
10 demand that his will be carried
into execution Immediately.
Up until this time this right has
been qualified and limited by the tact
that one party has had an over
whelming majority in the upper
chamber of the legislature and has
therefore been enabled TO block leg.
islation on subjects which had not
been made the specific issue in a
general election But not even the
house of lords in modern times, ever
has refused TO reflect the will OF the
electorate as expressed on definite
question. The same cannot be said
for the United States senate. Demo-
cratic senates have refused to con
slider the mandate OF the people when
they elected Republican house OF
representatives. and Republican SEN
ats have likewise ignored the result
OF an election giving the Democrats
a majority of the lower house
Americans will do we'll TO watch
closely the course of events in the
coming session OF parliament in
which the relations between the COM
mons and the lords will be .readjust-
ed, There is every reason to be-
lieve that American politics Is again
approaching crisis involving the
conflicting rights and powers OF the
federal and the state governments,
crisis such as threatened disunion
/ in 1898. in 1912. and in 1882. and
which precipitated sectional war in
fStf. This controversy some day
must be settled. and Americans may
study with advantage the methods
pursued in Great Britain when great
constitutional problems press for
solution.
Whether the British or the Ameri.
can constitution is the better is
| question open TO discussion with
much to be said on both sides. BUT
| II cannot be questioned that British
! politics is more interesting, more ex-
citing. and more determinative than
! the American brand. British Radi-
Gals and Tories are divided In live
questions, and interest in English pol.
/ itics is kept white hot by the con
/ slant discussion of pertinent prob
lens OF government, making unneces-
sary any appeal to party regularity
/ or any fetish worship Of party
name.
| III may require one or two more
general elections TO settle the pend.
ing constitutional controversy in
Great Britain, but one is not afraid
TO hazard the prediction that 1t will
all be settled and forgotten long be-
fore the three-fourths of the states
OF the American union have got any
action on their demand for a revision
OF the constitution to permit the
direct election OF United States sen.
ators. They do some things better
in the Old Country.
Tomorrow-Passenser Steamboat
Traffic.