The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-31
WEDNESDAY. JANUARY 81. 1sla.
RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT.

only TO his God and to his conscience.
weak democracy, where responsible
ity Is divided and power is d!ssipated.
has never in the history OF the world
endured and prospered. The United
States OF America Is the ono consp!cu-
Gus example OF government In
which the division OF power and re-
Fponsbilty. or the separation o.
powers" as MontesQuieu puts 1t, ha.
not ended IN destruction. Only in the
United States and the Spanish Aneri-
can republics does the doctrine of the
separation OF power now exist, and
the Spanish American republics are
military despousms, based upon the
plundering and power of politicians
In his lecture on National Governme
Henry Jones Ford says OF the separa-
lion OF powers: France In 1871 and
Norway in 1914 both adopted 1t in
their national constitutions, aud both
after violent struggles and distress re-
Jected 1t. In the eyes OF European
thinkers this doctrine possesses a
nero antiquarian interest. The Cam
bridge modern history, for example
CURLY dismisses this doctrine as
Authorization that h!ndered the forma-
lion of agencies for the control Of
government by public opinion" In
the United States of America, alone
OF ell tho civilized nations, does this
doctrine still have sway, and Il pre-
walls to the distress and misgovern-
ment of the people.
Tho situation in the Legislature
strongly emphasizes this fact, and
forcibly shows how irresponsible our
government IS. BY force of intellect
and personality. by hard study by
effective grasp OF public questions,
Speaker Byrd is easily the leading
political thinker in active life In Viz
Ginia to-day. Out OF the chaos Of
patchwork liquor legislation he
evolvsd the Byrd Mann liquor lava
bill that has given satisfaction and
has carried out the Intentions OF its
trainers. 1t was Mr.. Byrd who tried
to put through e decent primary law
ct the last session OF the Legislature,
and who has secured the passage of
one through the House at this session
Il was Mr. Byrd alone OF Ali politicians,
VINO graaped the real significance of
the oyster question in Virginia. and
tried to break down the Ignorance
and the prejudice which nave SO long
hampered Vtrg!nia's growth as a she'll
hsh producing State. II was Mr. Byrd
m -,
curing the passage OF the act Great
Ing commission TO study tax con-
dit!ons in Virginia ar the last session
Of the Legislature, and the report OF
these Investigations is the most illuni
Mathis, suggestive and Instructive
public document. that has been pub
!ished Iii Virginia, not even excepting
the work OF the mineral resources OF
the state. II Is Mr. Byrd who is now
hgh;ing 70 secure the enactment Of a
tax law that can remedy some Of the
Inequalities and hardships unde.
which many of the counties and cities
OF the State al present labor In
European countries Mr.. Byrd would be
Prime MiEister. lie would havs be.
hihd MIN a responsible party rcpre.
Sen,ing the public opinion Of IN.
majority: ne would be able to com.
pei his followers TO pass the leClsla-
n". that he initiated as the chosen
leader of the PEOPLE for the power
would not be his own. since a Prime
Minister is AT best only a Spokesman
OF the majority nc epresents--that is
spokesman through whom the people
can &c; effective legislation on publ,
matters.
But, how is 1t in Virginia to-day.
The Legislature assemblies and listen,
10 homily from the Governor: ,nc,
each legislator offers such bills MS h,
SEES nj, or amends those OF his fell
low legislators in accordance with nj,
own opinions or lack Of opinions
When II Is all over and done. wber
the Legislature adtourns and N,
representatives go back 10 their con
Etitutents, there Is no responsibili,v
no man or party to be praised n
blamed Tor the result Sometimes
state splits on question like pro
ADDITION. and then, when TWO ,art,e
OF equal strength take opposite sides
The public car be sure OF the deanit
carrying out OF the public wishes
But In Virginia. as 1t IS governed 10
day, and IN mos. OF the sister States
10 such condition exists. II In
Ts& Commission bill. for example. /,
passed. Mr.. Byrd will probably re
ee!ve some credit; it Il is defeated /
Viii De extremely dincult to place N
Blame; and yet the Tax Com!n.s.!o,
bill! is only type Of the dinicultie
which every State faces whore IN
government is divided and irresponsi
BILE. because sufficient power is no
in,rusted TO those who are expec,o
TO do the work of the government.
There is deep-seatcd prejudic
against Capitalization There Is