The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-02-20
Too Much Politics.

We quote this week q very sensible
comment from the Memphis CONNER
cial Appeal on the recent decision Of the
Supreme Court with reference to the
election laws. It seems that upon all
important questions in political affairs,
as well as in religious and other matters,
great men differ, and we do not concur
in the opinion so very often and hastily
arrived at that the differences are mat
ter of personal prejudice. We believe
that there are men on the bench who
will decide q question upon its merits
and upon the law il such an opinion
operated against their personal or po-
Iitical advantage. We have that much
confidence in human nature. 1t seems
to us in this particular case that pre-
cedents of bad character might ensue
with decision either one way or the
other. We mean the decision upon the
question Of quorum, not upon the
number or complexion OF the election
commissioners. 1t is question for
great minds to unravel, and, too, one
that might be decided differently by
those who held to different limitations
OF government under our system. Judge
Lansden may be one whose ideas follow
more closely those Of Alexander Hamil-
ton, while Judge Buchanan may be Of
the Jefferson type. To our way Of
thinking it was not a matter ofprejudice
in favor Of political factions, but Of an
honest opinion as to the best usages OF
government, and we believe the judges
all acted upon these grounds.
But whether the decision is right or
wrong, as the Commercial Appeal aptly
says, Tennessee needs more industry and
less politics. We need less office hunt
ing aud more effort to develop our
natural resources. Tennessee needs to
wipe out the old fee system land along
that line we said something last week OF
the national government and adopt the
merit and efficiency system. The Of
Gee holding and office seeking part of
our affairs consume too much OF our
time and energy. They keep our noses
TO the ground, SO to speak, and Ten
nessee's place in industrial, commercial
and educational affairs in back row.
We are too close to the foot OF the class,
and il we don't get rid Of some OF this
political and Office surplus the chances
are that we will continue to be like the
cows tail.
The Supreme Court OF Tennessee has
decided that quorum cannot be count
cd in the Legislature when the members
are not present. The records OF the
Tennessee Legislature are not final and
are not conclusive unless they tell the
truth.
The court went behind the records in
order to find out exactly what the truth
was The truth did not conform to the
letter and the words OF the journal. The
court then overthrow the journal be-
cause il did not tell the truth, and
hence declared the election law to be-
Invalid because it was not passed by a
majority.
We do not believe that the recently
passed election law was any better than
The one il attempted to repeal. Under
Lie old election law there could be
fraud. and under the new one there
could be fraud. Honesty in elections
depends upon the honesty OF the people
themselves.
The political effect of the declaration
Of the present law to be unconstitutional
win not be felt by the people. 1t may
affect Office holders and office seekers.
We do hope, however, that the repeal
Of the present law and the revival OF the
cid law will not be followed by every
other man in Tennessee starting out to
run for an Office.
The business OF office seeking and
office holding has been the chief aim OF
about nine-tenths Of the voters OF Ten
nessee for the past ten years. Ours has
been ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS and for the
politicians. - II
Under this system the State fell mis-
arabIv behind in developing its ma
ter;al and moral resources. Instead OF
prosperity there was deteriora-
ton.
The best thing for the people OF Ten
nessee to do is to insist upon the abolish
nent Of the fee system and the election
Of men OF capacity to office
Then. il they start out on campaign
gor good roads, good schools, better
farming, for better taxing system ana
for an equal distribution q the burden
81 taxation, they will place Tennessee on
sI,a road toward prosperity which will
h enioved by rich and poor alike. ~
Commercial Appeal 4