The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-02-28
WITH BITTER SARCASM FLAWS
the AMBITIOUS ROUGH RID.
ING AFRICAN HUNTER.
HOULD GIVE lHIM TO CHINA
axes the Candidate to Task For
position on the judiciary and
Brands His New Nostrums as Danq-
erous Teachings.

Washington, Feb. Reversal of
judicial decisions by popular vote, as
proposed by Theodore Roosevelt in his
columbus address last week. was de-
nounced in the Senate yesterday by
Mr.. Rayner, of Maryland, as the most
dangerous doctrine ever brought for.
ward by any one who has the slightest
regard for the stability of our institu-
tions and whose opinion is entitled to
any weight Or respect"
Senator Rayner declared that in dis
cussing Roosevelt, he did not speak
as a partisan, because he believed the
Republicans could nominate no man
who would be easier to defeat
what desire to call attention to
today is unique and original concep-
tion which Roosevelt advanced at
Columbus, and which quote literally,
as follows;
The decision of a state court Oh
constitutional question should be sub
ject to revision by the people of the
state.
If any considerable number of the
people feel that the decision is in de-
fiance of justice they should be given
the right by petition to bring before
the voters at some subsequent cleo
tion. and after the fullest opportuni-
" for delibrration and debate, the
question whether or not the judges
Interpretation OF the Constitution is
to be sustained.
IF it. is sustained well and good,
If not then the popular verdict is to
be accepted as final, the decision is
to be treated as reversed and the con-
stitution definitely decided, subject
only to action by the Supreme court
of the United States"
MI President if a proposition of
this sort had been advanced by an or
dhary agitator or by an anarchist, no
attention would be paid to it; the peo-
pie would understand that it was ut
terly meaningless, and it would in
yolye no actual danger to the republic.
We must realize. however, that this is
the utterance of a political leader who
occupies today as prominent place
be{ .e the public as anyone in the
country; who is gifted with ternmen-
dOus power; who commanded great
popularity and who for seven years
occupied the position of president OF
the United States, and who is now
candidate again for that office.
People who regard this merely as
aippant and i pulsive utterance of a
candidate for public office, who is try
ing to attract public favor, are making
a great mistake.
THE ex-president has been reflect
ing over this proposition for years.
4Ie has always been hostile to the de-
cieion Of the courts whenever they
conaicted with his own views.
"Now. there is a motive for all this
and there is a cause for this attack
rnon the institutions of the land. l
think can tell you what it is' IL
arises from the fact that when Mr.
Roosevelt was President he was not
allowed 10 influence and control the
decisions of the courts, and they de-
o,inod 10 PASS under the domination OF
bis arbitrary and imperious will.
.Durine the whole of his admins
.,otion he had an idea lingering IN his
,,Ind that it was the duty of the courts
10 carry out the policy of the execu'
rive branch of the government anu
i,1,,.,iof was connected with anoshef
.1aa ord that was that, so far as exc
cntive functions We're concerned, nc
n,os absolutely supreme uhiiihi'e0 "
,ho specifications Of the instrument
that created them. ,...,o,o
'''%s @yow. what is the present situation m tIon,
noosove,t is candidate for presl'
MI, MI, ~ ~ tbe United States. There was
w. need of any persuasion whatever ~
no heeu ,.o,. tha field. He was
willing to come with his t' own N. ''vwn own
W,,,"fr WIN frame a constitution of his own OWN
and a.. l.Ii tho charming and allurins plat
.,orm /" ~@i that he has promulgated. ,.. III.
TORN 'T had had hoped that outbreaks INK. !.