The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-09

Especial From Staff Correspondent
Hot Springs. Va. August 8.-Cen-
tral!zation in state government is the
only safeguard against the centra!i-
cation OF all State powers in the Fed
eral government. Such was the strik-
Tag proposition advanced here in an
address. constituting the feature of
the night session of the Virginia Bar
Association, By Raleigh c. Minor, pro-
lessor OF law in the University OF Vir-
Ginta who referring to Virginia as
an example, declared that all execu-
tive power should be concentrated in
the Governor. who should appoint all
the principa! State executive officers
and be solely responsible for them to
the people. The Governor should have
the same powers as the head OF a cor
poration, for lin an important aspect
the state is a business corporation,
and. so far as may be- should be con-
Quoted as SUCH
EuloEy of fancy.
The main feature OF the morning
session. which was called to order in
few we'll chosen remarks by Hill
Montague. OF Richmond, chairman of
the executive committee. was the an
nual address of the president. George
L. Christian. OF Richmond. The mem
bers of the association are unanimous
in the opinion that this was one of
the most scholarly addresses ever de-
livered before the body. Taking as
his subject Chief Justice fancy" an
almost forgotten great figure OF for
mer days. Judge Christian showed
that this Marylander looms UP as one
of the few really great men who have
worn the ermine of the Supreme Court.
Taney-as a man, courageous. affa-
BILE, yet uignifed; as a patriot. serving
hic try aNrarisner IN
science; as a judge. just, fearless. in
corruptible, thus Judge Christian
sketched him in a monograph which
bore unmistakahle signs of patient
months OF research.
None. Judge Christian said. dread ed
more than fancy the baneful infiu-
ences OF the combinations of the
moneyed power. He said three-quar-
tiers OF a century ago that no hands
are less worthy to be trusted with the
unnecessary accumulation of power
over persons and property than
those of moneyed corporation. In
cidentally. declared the speaker. the
trend OF some of Chief Justice Mar
shall's opinions has laid the founda-
ton for that Capitalization of power
in the Federal government which is
not only a menace TO the stability of
the republic as such, but to the liber-
ties OF the people as we'll.
Taney's judicial administration was
"a distinct reaction" he declared.
against the tendency of Marshall to
construe the Constitution favorably to
the Federal government. The decisions
handed down by fancy make the Su-
preme Court the palladium of our
liberties
Chief Justice MnrshaIps Way.
In the old days, when the only in
diligence was bottle OF Madeira. il
is said that Chief Justice Marshall
would ask one OF his associates to go
to the window and see how the wealth
er was. If the Judge reported that
there was a cloudless sky. Marshall
SO extensive that I am confident 1t is
raining somewhere to-day, and so 1
think on a survey of the whole we
will take a bottle of Madeira"
In conclusion. Judge Christian dis
cussed the famous bred Scott and John
Merriman cases, concluding that Chief
Justice fancy was wholly just and
right in his views in these cases.
True greatness" he said, "is being
recognized at last. and fancy towers
commandingly in American judicature,
his fame secured forever and unfair
nished By calumny and hatred
Christian paid beautiful tribute to
the great judge.
Raleigh C. Minor delivered an ad-
dress at the night session on Central
ization VS.. Decentralization" With
the sureness of master hand he traced
the gradual encroachment of the Fed
eral government upon the rights and
powers of the States. showing that
Capitalization OF power in the national
government is prevailing.
"Elihu Root" he said has lately
doubtless at the Presidents suggestion.
stated publicly that unless the States
perform more satisfactorily the duties
allotted them. means will be found
by construction of the Federal Consti-
tuition. to take from them and confer
upon the general government, control
of such subjects now admitted to he
reserved to the States as touch upon
the common interests of the American
people. The limit of safety has been
reached in Federal appropriation of
State power The want of due wis
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