Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1912-05-10

Expression OF the People, the Back
Zone of the Nation.
Washington, d. c., April 27-Botf
il its editorial columns and in those
devoted to news OF national politics
the Philadelphia (Pa.) Public Ledger
has been one OF the stoutest pro-Taf1
orgcns. But its readers are not blind
ed by sophistry or abuse, as witness
the tremendous wave OF approval OF
Colonel Roosevelt and his principles
which marked the presidential prefer.
ence primary in the Keystone state.
The Hon. Augustus NJ Vessels, a
distinguished member Of the Pennsyi-
vania bar, in signed communication
to tho Public Ledger. in which he de-
clares Rooseve!t's principles the
"Fcrccful expression of the belief OF
the people," stands staunchly and con-
vincingly by Colonel Roosevclt's pro-
posai for the recall OF certain judicial
decisions. =
Ny Vessels, after stating that he
has read in the newspaper in question
a series OF articles on The American
Constitution and the New Radica!ism,"
asks the opportunity OF pointing out
some very glazing inconsistencies in
the Interpretation OF important prin-
ciples in those articles"
The learned student of New Rad
icalism,' as the Ledger calls Mr..
Roosevclts proposed reform. goes on
to say:
1T seems to me that the point at
issue is, Shall the people rule? Are
the American people capable OF pass
ing wise and careful judgment upon
those vital questions which affect the
people as whole and are at the root
of social and industrial justice? 1t is
perfectly true that the struggle now
going on between President TAFT and
eX-President Roosevelt is one over
fundamental principles, and not test
OF personal popularity or a combat
for party chieftainship. In the first
paper on the American Constitution
and the New Radicalism your writer
says:
Americans have never yet acted
at the polls without grave and intelli-
gent reflection beforehand upon the
probable consequences OF their voting.
They are not insensate dOlts, and they
are not hysterical followers OF the
loudest shouter. They must know what
they are voting for and what they are
voting against
This seems very fair and credit
of
of the American people, and no sane
man can help but have full confidence
in the final judgment of a people pos
sessinG such ability. Yet your writer,
speaking OF the constitution and the
recall Of judges and judicial decisions,
says:
How are the people who are net
lawyers to know what the law or the
is? The judges have
made it a study Of lifetime How
Is mass-meetirg to decide? Would
you honestly consider yourself COM
petent to discuss them? Remember
hat the proposition involves delibera-
ton. not merely noisy or perfunctory
assent to some proposition vociferous-
Iy urged by a loud talker induging in
it is a question as to what
shall be the law, what shall be the
'ule of action binding all men, high or
ow, rich OR poor, without any differ
,nce as to class or condition.
rs it not peculiar that the grave
Ind intelligent reflection beforehand
Upon the probable consequences OF
heir voting should disappear alto
sether when the people come to ex-
press their will AID judgment on a
question vital to their
common good and justice, which per-
,hance has been declared unconstitu-
ional by too strict Interpretation OF
he law? r. it not peculiar, notwith-
standing the fact that the constitu-
ion is the expressed, written will OF
he people, made by them, your writer /
avs they know nothing about the con-
titution or the laws? Is this good |
easoning? Is this convincing logic?
Il maintain that the questions which |
would ultimately come before the peo-
lie for judgment under the recall
would Of necessity be Of such impor-
ance that the people would know
heir minds and would be perfectly
apable OF rendering decision to the
,est interest OF society. For, as ex-
thief Justice Campbell OF Michigan
aid, The greatest knowledge that we
ave in this world is the common
OF the common people.
Jour writer's high esteem Of the ca
abilities OF the American people
GEMS to have considerably dwindled
when at the close OF the first paper he
avs, Come, hard-headed men, and tell
ne would you let your clerks or your
vorkmen decide what you should do
n a question which you had studied
II your life and which they had never
onsidered" | ask, are the people,
those will is acknowledged to be the
upreme law OF the land Il here quote
ustice Bradley, speaking tS: the
United States Supreme coui-::, The
lower OF the people is superior to all
legislatures and all courts and en-
resses the Will OF the ultimate SOW
;signty of the whole country), ask.