Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-10-02
CARDINAL GIBBONS
ATTACKS POPULAR
SENATE ELECTIONS
Says Method Would Do Away
With Strongest Public
Bulwark.
ALSO DECLARES AGAINST
REFERENDUM AND RECALL
Baltimore Prelate Surprises His
Hearers in Opening Jubi-
lee Sermon.

BALTIMORE, Oct. 2.-In the course
hpf his jubilee sermon delivered at the
Cathedral here yesterday Cardinal Glib
bons expressed unqualified disapproval
aof three important political propo-
hdtions which have commanded a large
WHARF of public attention, namely, the
1sleotion of United States senators by
ahe direct vote of the people, the
referendum proposal which has come
Mp in several Western States providing
Tor the submission of legislative enact
hments to the voters for ratification,
land the recall of the judiciary.
While it is the cardinals custom to
apreach on the first Sunday of the
snonth, his discourse yesterday was in
the nature of a prelude to the religious
celebration of his golden jubilee as a
priest of the Catholic Church n the
silver anniversary of his cardinalate,
(which begins on Sunday.
Defining the duties of his brethren
of the laity the cardinal exhorted them
20 be faithful in the practise of their
religion and urged them as citizens of
khe United States 10 take a patriotic
part in every measure that contributes
10 the progress of the commonwealth.
Three Problems in Sight.
"At the present moment there are
three political problems which are en-
gaging the serious attention of our
public men. 1t is proposed that United
States senators should be elected by
popular vote instead OF being chosen
by the legislature, as is prescribed by
The Constitution. 1t is proposed that
fhe acts of our legislature, before they
have the force of law, should be sub
united to the suffrage Of the people
who would have the right to vote. 1t
Is proposed to recall or remove an un-
popular Judge before the expiration of
his term of Office.
'e--he election Of senators by the votes
.pf the people involves the
p4 a strong bulwark against dangerous
popular entertainments. The reason
given for the contemplated change Is
hat many of our State legislatures are
harged with being venal, and that it
easier to corrupt the Legislature
,an the whole people.
Aannot Trust Lesislature; Then Whats
lf-In reply I would say: If you cannot
:, rust the members of the Legislature
Yow can you trust their constituents
naLy4 pvnom they SPRING IL you cdhnot
n Foe il. our legislatures you cannot
= y!...e in human government, nor in
aaan nature itself. If a few of our
slatures have been found guilty OF
bribery, 1t is most unjust to involve
all the others in their condemnation.
Il have sufficient confidence in the moral
Integrity of our legislatures to be con-
WINGED that the great majority of them
have never bent the knee to Mammon,
ITO give to the masses the right
of annulling the acts Of the Legisla-
ture is to substitute a mob law for es-
tablished law.
ITO recall a judge because his de-
risions do not meet with popular ap-
proval is an insult to the dignity, the
independence and the s~elf-respect of
our judiciary. Far less menacing to
the commonwealth is an occasional
corrupt OF incompetent judge than
one who would besthe habitual slave of
q capricious multitude, who has always
his ear to the ground trying to find out
the verdict of the people.