The Washington herald., 1915-01-29
Literary Test and Ship Purchase.

In his message to the House of Representa-
tves, announcing his disapprova of the immigra-
ton bill because it prescrbes teracy test, Presi-
dent Wilson sets forth the for his action
with characteristic dircctncss and clarity and a
modesty to be commended in Chief Executive,
who has sufficient confidence in his own convic-
tons TO be governed by them rather than by the
judgment OF majority in Congress controlled
by statesmen OF his own political faith. The Presi-
dents convincing explanation of his veto will
doubtless prevent the return Of the to the
White House in its present form.
In justification of his course the President re-
fcrs to the litcracy test as radical change in
the policy Of the nation" and concludes:
Has any political party ever avowed policy
OF restriction in this fundamental matter gone TO
the country il, and been commissioned to con-
troll its legislation? Does this bill rest upon the
conscious and universal assent and desire of the
American people? | doubt it. 1t is because
doubt it that | make bold TO dissent from it.
am willing to abide by the verdict, but not until
it has been rendered. Let the platform OF parties
speak out upon this policy and the people pro-
nounce their wish The matter is too fundamental
to be settled otherwise.
have no pride of opinion in this question.
am not foolish enough to profess to know the
wishes and ideals of America better than the body
OF her chosen representatives know them. | only
want instruction direct from those whose for
tunes, with ours and all mems arc involved.
In making strong point against the legisla-
ton he condemns, it will occur to many that the
President made an equally impressive argument
against the ship purchase BILL which he so heartily
commends and insistcntly advocates. 1t cannot
be denied that the purchase and operation by the
| government of a merchant marine would, indeed,
be radical change in the policy of the nation
and certainly the people have been given no op-
portunty to consider it. The Democratic party,
in fact, was placed in control upon a platform
declaring emphatically against the granting of
subsidies to shipping. And now it proposes to
enact measure to provide for the purchase and
operation of merchant ships by the government,
at financial loss, as has been admitted. If a
political party should ask the approval of the peo-
pie before it imposes literacy test upon immi-
grants, can it justify itself in embarking upon
a losing venture in government ownership and
operation of merchant ships before the people
have authorized such expenditure of their money?
Not only have the people had no opportunity
to express themselves at the polls, but the ad-
ministration has not taken council, so far as the
public is informed, with those whose opinion and
advice is entitled to consideration. The Senate
committee granted hearings upon the merits
of the ship purchase bill The party leaders have
simply undertaken to push it through by physical
and numerical strength and with the Republicans
arrayed solidly against it, the struggle now in
progress is the hercest Of President Wilson's ad-
ministration. Apparently, the measure meets with
approval almost nowhere outside the ranks of
Democraey's representatives in the Capitol. Aside
from the economic question involved, the serious
danger of foreign complications following the
! purchase of the interned German merchantmen is