The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-01-12

Washington. Jan. II. Special. -
Politics was played to the limit In the
Pan-American scientific conference
held In Washington. A movement was
started to unite both Americas I'm a
common cause 10 resist the balance OF
the world. supposing the world wanted
TO attack America.
That would be a nice thing for the
southern republics; they would be as
sured of the protection OF the United
States. but what would they contribute
In return? And how long would they
stand against the money Vaccinations
of any country that wanted TO use
money against us?
The United States has beer frequent
ly called upon TO quell disturbances, to
enforce peace at the mouth Of a ma
chine gun and to perform other police
services In these countries. They are
not the kind of countries for allies.
They would throw us over at the first
opportunity.
Germ of the Idea.
Reading the various arguments urg-
ing such an alliance my eye happened
TO catch the germ OF the Idea. One OF
the advocates. telling what a good
thing 1t would be to have one grand
family OF American republics solidly
united and standing firmly together,
said that as a first nov the United
States should adopt the Colombian
treaty providing for the payment or
$25.OO0.00O to that country because our
country wanted to benefit Colombia by
building a canal through what was
once her territory.
From many ou%tcroppings Ii appears
that large portions OF that $25.000,000
have been promised 10 promoters OF
the treaty.
San Francisco inspected"
IL the real economists In congress
should tabulate the expense accounts
OF the various government travellers
during the year 1915 they would find
that all the big fellows who were sent
u had to go by way of San Francisco.
particularly during the period the ex
position was open. Reports OF travel
ing expenses have been sent TO cOn-
gress by various departments. but Ii IL
doubtful whether they viii receive
much attention. AT all events, con
gress has never tried to stop the great
outlay In this form of expense.
A Real Progressive Move.
Congressman Emerson of Cleveland.
o., a new man I'm congress-. has pro
posed a real Progressive proposition by
Introducing a resolution TO amend the
constitution by having the president
elected by direct vote OF the people.
And why not7 III Ii Is a good thing 70
have primaries OF all kinds and the
election of senators by direct vote. why
not have the president elected by d.
rect voter
IL this should be done interest would
not center 50 much upon the pivotal
states. There would be efforts to get
votes everywhere. and every vote
would count In a close election.
But Viii Never BE Done.
But we will never see the president
elected by a direct vote. IL anything
like that should be done 1t would re
Quire a close federal scrutiny of all
elections. As. for instance. the first
bulletin or the night Of election is n
from Mississippi saying the state has
gone $4,000 for the Democratic candi-
date. Instead of that perfunctory an
nouncement federal authorities would
scrutinize all the returns. Lump ma
jorities. such as are generally turned
In from southern states, would not be
allowed without Investigation.
The selection OF electors who vote
for president and vice president Is one
remaining right Of the states which
they with not surrender.
"Trained Diplomats"
Again the cry has gone forth for
trained diplomats" meaning men who
have had long experience In diploma
cy. OF course that Is impossible I'M
der our form Of government Diploma
cy Is a secondary consideration with
us. The average diplomat is simply a
medium OF communication between the
foreign Offices and our state depart
ment. In these days of cables no
diplomat is allowed to take matters
into his own hands: hence 1t makes
llttle difference whether he is trained.
"They Believe It."
DO you know, they really believe
1t, some Of themT'
The remark was made by Congress
man Mondell of Wyoming, who is OPP
posing Preparedness, and be was
speaking Of the advocates Of large ex-
penditures to prevent the danger OF
invasion OF the United States, and he
added:
Sometimes when / am talking with
those fellows who see hordes of for
eigners ~overrunning our country ]
look a~nxiously for the dropping OF an
eyelid or a cur In the corner Of the
mouth, which will give a hint that
they know 1t Is all bunk, but even