The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-20
Underwood Points Out
Dangers Of Direct
Democracy.
ADDRESS BEFORE
CATHOLIC CLUB
Declares That Masses of People
Are Better Judges of Men
Than of Measures Wicket
sham Argues for Equality
of Opportunity for
All Citizens.

New York. December Ia-rwo adj
dresses. one by Attorney General
WickershaIn who declared that tho
true nat!onaiism is equality OF oppor-
tunity to every citizen. and the other
by Representative oscar ". Under
wood. chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee OF the House, on the
dangers OF Il direct democracy. were
heard by members OF the Catholic Club
and their guests at their dinner to-
night
Mr.. Underwood delivered an address
declaring his opposition 10 movements
toward more direct form OF govern
nient.
IF there arc evils in our govern
ment as IL exists to-day" he said, At
is not in It's organic form. 1t Is due
to the failure OF those In office to hon
estly. fairly and Justly perform the
duties imposed upon them"
He pointed to the failures of direct
dcmocracies and drew the contrast
between them and the successes OF a
representative democracy. responsive
TO the Will OF a majority. but checked
by the Constitution, from exercising
brutal force which Nigh, destroy
the liberty and property rights of the
Individual.
The proposal to abandon in part this
%
with a tendency to place the power of
law-makins In the hands of all the
people, would place constitutional
guarantees Of individual liberty sub
servicnt to the will OF the majority
through political compulsion. nc said.
MisJudge Sentiment.
Those who urge change, he argued Ii
do not reflect that at times they may
m!sjudge real public sentiment, that
tho representative who acts as the
instrument OF the government Is att
fault. and not tho baB!c principle oil
the government itself, 80 .
My experience as a legislator" he
continued. "leads mo to believe that the
Congress OF the United States Will ul-
timately respond TO the enlightened
and matured sentiment of the people"
He pointed to instances wherein It
had done SO In railroad rate legisla-
ton. pure food laws. campaign fund
publicity; national quarantine. irriga
OF the isthmian canal.
The response may not be rapid.
no said. but II is probably more per-
nanent, and there is certainly not as
4 much danger OF cnacting hasty, ILL
e1nsidered or bad legislation
Cannot q committee OF the Con-
Rress. composed OF representa- tive men.
initiate legislation. within the limlta
uons OF the Conatitutlon. guard against
excuses and abuses, protect the rights
of the minority voice the wishes OF tho
inHgOTlly. as wen OF KHAN tue
partisan friends of measure. who. in
order that they may accomplish one
result, are tempted 20 reach so far thin I
they leave wake of destruction ns to
collateral matters the measure touches?
"If there are evils In our govern
ment as II exisfs to-day IT Is not in
It's organic form; It is due to the
failure OF those in office to honestly,
fairly and justly perform the duties
imposed upon them The remedy is
plain and the way ls clear. The pco-
power and responsibility the unfaith.
rul servant and ELECT those who Will
be faithful and true TO the trust i'm
posed upon them IT,. poon,.
You tell me the people cannot elect
honest and faithful servants. l tell
you that the masses of the people are
FAR better judges OF men than they !
nre of measures, and are far more
likely to select an honest man than
an honest measure.
not select public official who Will |
reflect the will OF the people in his
office and be faithful to the Consti-
tuition OF his country, I say you re-
government and misjudSe the honesty |
and the Intelligence of the American
people. :. o,.e. bones, men 70 public
office, men who have the courage to |
stand for the true interest of the Consti
tuition they represent, regardless OF
what effect II may nave on tHeir per
sonal fortunes. Thare then will be
no demand for. change Of the funda.
1nontal principles of our government"
No Special Privileges.
Attorney General Wickersham's sub
ject was The Equality of Opportunity
for All and Special Privileges for
None"
The enforcement Of tho Law against |
unlawful restraint of trade and monop- |
oics is attended with much outcry |
by those who have too long enjoyed |
unfair advantages over their compc- |
titors, the end Of which they now see, |
declared Mr.. Wickcrsham. hut be not |
deceived by their clamor. Neither tho |!
Law nor the enforcement OF tho law |
is directed against legitimate business |
enterprise, but to what William PcIn |
dcnominntcd the great end of all gov |
cr....icnt. VIZ: to support and revcr- |
encc the people and to secure the !
people from the abuses of power
"a few months ago visitor TO this |
city, DESTROYS OF seeing It's most famous |
highway would have beheld an az
traordinary spectacle, continued the !
Attorney General. "All along the
men was employed removing the
facades of some of the buildings. |
sharing off columns and pilasters |
from others. demolishing and recon
STRUGGLING.
Inquiry would have led to tho con-
clusion that during a considerable |
period of years the owners of land
abutting on this highway had, grad
ually encroached upon the street. until
hnaliy the city authorities awakened |
was the property of all. was being np-
proprtated for ths benefit of a few
&Thereupon legal proceedings were, COM !
mep9ed. and the authorities compelled
p eaG1 ana every lot owner to TAX. down |
30 much OF hia building as encroachedE
NJ Il