The Topeka state journal., 1913-09-23
HE. DRAWS THE LINE.
Dr.. Schurman Defines Progression and
Progressive.

Ney York. Sept. 23.-The nomination
of candidates for chef judge and as
sociate judge of the court of appeals
was the formal task before the Re-
publican state convention that as
sembled here today but the party lead
ers planned to make the gathering one
of wider Importance. 1t was the first
Republican rally since the last state
election and several new questions
confronted the delegates The answer
10 these Will be embodied in the plat
form that will be adopted at the ses-
sion of the convention tonight.
1t became known today that Repub-
l1cans opposed to the leadership OF
William Barnes, Jr., had held an ov-
ern1ght meeting to urge the selection
of Senator Elihu Root as permanent
chairman and Job E. Hedges as CHAIR
man of the resolution committee. The
delegates, 610 in number, met in Carne-
gle hall to organize and hear the ad-
dress of DR.. Jacob G. Shurman, presi-
dent of Cornell university, as tempor-
ary chairman, then adjourned until to-
night to give the committee on resOlu-
tions time to prepare the platform.
Professor Schurman's address, an
outline of the political situation, cul
minated in an appeal to all believers
in revolutionary progression to aid in
restoring the Republican party to power
in state and nation. Evolutionary
progression was the term Dr. Schur-
man applied to Republican documents
to distinguish them from the ideas OF
the Progressive party.
Catastrophe progressive" was his
manner of describing the latter.
Change Is a Good Thing.
DR.. Schurman discussed the present
banishment of the party from national
power. A term in opposition at Wash
ington cannot but have the best effects
of the Republican party" he said.
'"They will have time to mediate on
their principles, to formulate their pol
icies, to select their leaders, to COM
pose their differences and to consecrate
themselves anew to high and unsel1sh
public service
Democratic control of the state, he
declared. had been at a fearful cost
1T has been a period he said, of
violated party pledges, of colossal pub
lie extravaganza. of incapable and per-
verted government and, worst of ALL of
crying dishonor. The touch of Tam
many has blighted our entire state
government"
DR.. Schurman predicted the return
of the state government to Republican
control and declared that with few eX-
ceptions those who left the party in
1912 will be standing under the old
banner
He took occasion to oppose the mi |
ative and deterrent forces" and espec- |
tally condemned the proposed recall of |
judges and judicial decisions some |
thing that would discourage honest and |
fearless Interpretation of the law and |
put premium on the insinuating arts |
of popularity and the gift of triumph |
ant stump oratory.
While approving of a federal income |
tax in principle, the speaker regarded !
the plan favored by the Democra tic |
administration as unfair in |
that it favored the south at the expense |
of other sections of the country and |
particularly New York state
Suggests a Remedy.
Discussing proposals made by the |
Progressive party DR.. Schurman dealt |
at length with the recall of judges and
judicial decisions and suggested "a !
sensible and rational measure which I
would correct all the evils at which |
the recall is aimed There is a sim
pie method said he, -'of bringing the /
soca1led laggard state courts up to the I
evel of the supreme court of the Uni
led States in their attitude towards So
cial and industrial legislation That
way is by an amendment of the fed
raj Judiciary act providing that when |
L state court decides that q state law
s not valid exercise of the police pow
ar but a violation of the fourteenth
amendment of the federal constitution,
IN appeal may be taken to the supreme
court of the United States.
Nothing is needed but an amend |
nent of section 237 of the federal jul
iicial code providing that an appeal
nay be taken to the supreme court
when the highest state court holds a
state law invalid on the ground it vio-
ates the due process of law provision
If the fourteenth amendment of the
ederal constitution