The daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Leflore Co., Miss.) 1916-1919, 1917-04-27

tatives may be, OF what, in their hum
BILE opinion the Represented ma!
think, whose interests are being serv
ed by delay and Difference, or by an!
but the most extreme methods o
promptness and efficiency possible
Which policy will result in thesmost
blood-shed, both in the beginning ant
the end?
Are Congressman the only repre-
sentatives the people have? Haven
the people of these United States es'
tablished the finest military institu'
lions in the world for the education
and training of specialists to guide
and represent them in things pertain
ing to military matters?
Is the judgment Of the Govern
ment's specially trained and equipped
military representatives to be ignored
in time of war, by representatives OF
constituencies that are not?
There are representatives and rep
resentatives, and a good deal of mis-
conception as to what a representative
should be, and to what extent he
should represent.
An honest and conscientious repre-
sentative of anybody or anything
should endeavor to represent the best
interests of that person, party or
thing. The relationship between rep
resentative and represented should be
much like that between lawyer and
client.
A client seeks an attorney to as
sist him in securing and protecting
him in the enjoyment Of his rights
to life, liberty and property. He seeks
the benefit of his skill, ability and
Judgment
It should be the same with his rep
resentative in Congress, or the leg
islature. The one should be his rep
resentative in the Interpretation and
application of the laws-the other in
the framing Of those laws.
Whether in the practice Of law or
should listen to and and seek ex-
pert advice and testimony whenever
and wherever the best interests Of their
constituency demand it, and especially
when the constituency has provided
such expert advice. They are chosen
10 exert their ability, judgment and
integrity to the utmost in serving
their clients, and it is their duty to
do it-not to call upon those clients
10 render the advice and judgment
and decisions that they have been en-
and commissioned to make.
BY virtue of their supposed fitness for
The purpose. The attorney that would
to his clients for advice IN every
question Of law or fact raised, would
rot retain clients long.
Much Of the honor and dignity that
attach to the privilege Of rep
the people in their state and
rational legislatures has been sacri-
iced through failure give clients as
and efficient service in the
Of their laws as is given them
n the Interpretation and application
# those laws. Why should there be
my difference? Why should repre-
,entatives in the practice Of law be
entrusted with, accept and assume the
responsibility for action and advice,
md a different course he pursued by
with representatives in the making
# law? Is the layman any more COM
,etent to make law than to practice
NV?
II the layman is competent to pass
lpon every proposition that comes up,
have any specialists at all? Why
ave military schools and experts,
.wyers, doctors, &c? Why rely so
implicitly upon the judgment Of the
representative that practices law and
insist upon debating arbitrarily to the
,enresentatiyes that mske the laws?
Why ask for an attorney in court and
cipher in Congress?
War is the court Of n~ations-of last
'esort. It il the highest tribunal on
.arth. It's decisions are harsh and
inai. We have been summoned 10 this
,oust through no choice q eVr own