The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-23

Something like a year since l wrote an article under this title, which was print ed in Harpers Weekly and was copied bv several of our leading daily state naners. but I am frank to confess what over others may think to the contrary, That did not exhaust the subject. @
 So far as the interest of true conserVa- tisn is concerned, the question increases in importance every day. In fact' Just now. if we are to judge by the noise pe- ing made by the radicals, it would seem there is no conservatism. ReiatlVely sneal,ing there may be conservatives; that i sto say. MT Taft ma ype less radical than MT. LaFollette, and MT. Wood is to say, MT. Taft may be less raaical than MT. Bryan, but it all seems 10 De a great race between the radicals, and the chief end of advantage to be gained seems to be who can prove himself the greater radical.
 since MT. Roosevelt's induction into of- fee we have been regaled with an almost continuous political campaign. The same is true with reference to MT. Taft s administration, who was avowedly elect ed with the promise and presumably TOT the purpose of carrying out these poll cies; albeit, in his recent article In the outlook, it would seem MT. Roosevelt has somewhat repented of his own radical- ism but we may be sure the moderation is one of degree and not of principle. un- der MT. Taft we have enjoyed two ex- ira sessions of Congress, and almost year in advance the President IS still on inc stump campaigning for reelection, I atn not now proposing to analyze ms measures or pass judgment upon his poll cies. "It is a condition and not theory which ccnfrorts us.' what we need IS hrjef respite at least in the way of po- litical peace, ard legislative repose, in order that some business may be trans acted and in order that somebody may make living.
 In the meantime the business interests of the country are going to the demnltion
 bow VOWS. The great spirit of conserva' tisn which has in times past safely guld-
 ed the shir of state over many a breaker
 if it still exists in fact and not in mem
 orv. should he looking for leader ol
 leaders who have the courage Of theii
 convictions, and who are prepared tt
 sink personal aspirations to conserve
 some honest, patriotic purpose.
 And now comes MT. Roosevelt, in pub
 lie statement made in New York, ant asserts that the courts must be brough into subjection to the people. am no sure that I know exactly what ne meant by this, but taking his words in their or dinary acceptation, and speaking as { lawyer, without any regard for the tim bainc for the courts, which he is propos ing in effect to do away with. paus' modestly to inquire in what position doe tbis leave the lawyers of America-a pro tession in which I have the honor to b engaged, and of whom. even DeTocque vile makes honorable mention. Suppos a client comes to my office and consult me upon an important matter. l canno say to him this is the law because thu court has declared it to be the law. must simply say to him we must refe | this matter to the people, we must cal and have popular election, not in orde | to find out what the law is. but what tn people think 1t ought to be. In the mul