The Washington times., 1914-01-27
-ESS DEMOCRACY
TO CURE OUR ILLS
orof. Minor, of Virginia, Urges
Representative, Not Popular
Government.

II
.dv polite rather than a cure calcu-
led to eradicate the invisible govern
mt is seen in such popular move
sntsas the referendum and initiative
E "a recall of public officials, and es-
.ciaIly the recall of judges and publ
e 4 decisions, according to Prof. Raj
n c. Minor of the law department of
.c University of Virginia In a paper
aIing with political problems Of the
ay. Pref. Minor asserted that the cure
1 the existing evils lay not in more
{ mocracy, but in less democracy, and
q return to representative rather than
democratic forms of government
the various States and the Nation.
Prof Minor outlined some Of the re-
tionary measures which he proposed
u this connection, and they were start
" and not the kind TO please what
oIOnel Roosevelt calls ''Progressives
nd President Wilson terms forward
| roking men" Instead of a govern
Lent in the various StateS representing
throughout Only the numerical major
irT. Prof, Minor boldly asserted the
Iced of a government representing in
ne of its two legislative branches the
various interests uppermcSt in the
State, leaving 10 the lower house the
junction Of representing the numerical
J sjirity Of its voters.
unrest RerVaoeS FeOple.
None can doubt that a deep-seated
unrest pervades the American people"
:. d Prof. Minor. 1T shows itself in
my ways-among others a demand
Sor political reforms, which allure us
III golden promises of a regenera-
on that shall free US not only from
e shackles of the invisible Govern
mt but from the manacles of con-
ntion and custom. Myriads of
y Jices are clamoring for this or that
ange in our habits of life and
Ought-nay, in on most cherished
nviCtions.
From the standpoint Of Govern
u.cnt the most remarkable of these
J. esent day movements is that look
toward the complete and direct
'.ntrol of Government in all its de-
Iatrtments by the people, reckoned by
merical majorities, not by the
light Of sound public opinion. The
-islative action of Government is to
r subjected to this direct control
-OUgh the initiative and referen-
q N; its executive action through the
all; and its judicial action through
recall of judges or of judicial de-
.sIOns.
In Effect Revolution.
This is in effect revolution. In the
last ANALYSIS II IS a NndIi6S lIOlH GDIl-
..,Jtional government to arbitrary des-
IOtism. the despotism of a numerical
.ajority of the people. which may be
49, oppressive and tyrannical as any
cher In the States where these prin-
Giples have been fully established the
Federal Constitution is tE only ulti-
mate safeguard against such tyranny
and oppression. Nor are indications
wanting that attempts will be made to
storm even that citadel of constitu-
Iional rights, so that the same pTinci-
.es may be applied IN the administTa-
.un Of the Federal Government. In
led, the first step in that direction is
this moment being taken. 4 sub
nmittee OF the Senate Judiciary
Jnmittee has favorably reported a
Dposal 10 alter the mode of amend
the Constitution.
This proposal would introduce the
nciples of the initiative and referen-
m into the Federal Government at its
ust vital point. II there were time
might be easily shoH'n, 1 think, that
Iinly due to the iRefficiency of the
ties in their executive administration,
I'D their lack of responsiveness to
bic opinion, particularly in the legis-
1--WE and judicial departments. 1t is a
.rous fact that the ineffciency of
-late administration is due in large
easure to the very same departure
ON the principles Of representative
. .'N II HIltLl lldI Is nc" urged as Iue
medy. Our political doctors are seek
TO enforce the old adage that the
tir Of the dog is good for the bite.
For Direct Control.
a the effort to give the people more
rect control the States have decen-
alized themselves and, confusing local
'f-goverDment with central author
have provided that governmental
,s--g.
all be exercised by officials locally
ected. and therefore responsible only
. their local constituents. not to the
ate at lar5c nor To the central au-
GRITTY. Tn" typical State constitution,
nile solemnly prOclaiming that the
vernon IS N" chief executive, and as
icn, shall see that the laws be faith
.lly executed has taken pains TO deny
n, for the most part. the power OF
"pOiEtneut and removal, and general
to dperlve him Of all real executive
Wers. save those OF the veto pardon
command OF the militia, ana a few
lesser moment.
The States have departed from the
D"iples OF representative government,
rstituting in lis place a sort OF local
ID democracy. l submit that the prop
remedy is not more democracy in the
IN Of the recall but return to the
lie principles of representation which
srnands the wedding of responsibility
IHO"tt NlNC Ilt tlAlGl executive the
over needful to make him such in
atty as well as in name: make him
e fun and complete political head Of
State, as the President Is Of the
Hited States, and then hold him TO
rict account for the administration OF
ISnc affairs"
Balnace of Districts.
Instead Of making use OF the principles
organization of their legislative de-
frtments followed in the Federal Gov
-ment, by choosing great and impor-
ant interests and balan ncing them
-a;nst the numerical majorities Of the
-Dple the various States, according t.
rOf Minor, have contented themselves
'th balancing The numerical majority
one district against that in another
ereby putting the whole machinery Of
tate government in the hands finally Of
re popular majorities.
Within each Commonwealth are great
J terests constantly clamo"ing for or
sainEt legislation said Prof Minor
They can officially voice their views
70 the legislative halls only through the
cpresentatives elected from their re-
b reCtive districts. But the representa-
e iE elected not 10 represent them
sDccially, but the whole constituency.
Ie may even have been elected upon
2 atform openly hostile to them If he
Us corrupt, and these interests are rich
= Z I'd powerful he probably makes a
.-rret bargain with them II he yS hon