The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1917-05-02
DRAFT BY SELECTION.


1t was a source of relief to find,
when this country was finally forced
to officially recognize the fact that
war was being waged upon it by Ger
many, that the Government had been
diligently studying the lessons of this
worlds greatest conflict, and apply
ing them, as nearly as possible, to
our benefit and protection-that it
had practically planned and perfected
the coordination of all the
enterprises and facilities of this coun-
try for methodical and concerted eff orr
in the defense of the country and it's
honor-that little remained other than
to secure the men and the money to
with equal efficiency.
What would have been ths result If
Congress had taken up the matter
with the same promptness and pre-
%cision, had promptly declared war at
its last session, voted the money and
authorized the raising of any army
desired by selective draft?
Contrast such with the present.
month since the war declared, moth
ing done toward raising an army, and
Congress squarely athwart the path
of the Administration and the Arna4
experts Ia the matter Of raising one.
With all due respect to Congress-
without meaning to impugn the good
faith or patriotism of a single men,
ber-but merely to assert facts, the
Kaiser could not have asked for more.
One eason assigned for opposition
to selective draft is the fear that the
people back home will not approve of
it,o
Regardless of whom the Represen-
~tatives may be, or what, in their hum
BILE opinion the represented" may
think, whose interests are being serv-
ed by delay and Difference, or by any
but the most extreme methods Of
promptness and efficiency possible?
Which policy will result in the most
blood-shed, both in the beginning and
tbs eRa2
Are Congressman the only repre-
sentatives the people have? Haven't
the people Of these United States es-
tablished the finest military institu-
tions 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
i'll tims Of WAN, hy representatives Or
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.
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.
1t should be the same with his rep
r~esentative in Congress, or the leg
islature. The one should be his rep
re~sentative in the Interpretation and
application of the laws-the other in
the framing of those laws.
Whether in tho practice Of law or
tives 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
to 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
to render the advice and judgment
and decisions that they have been en-
trusted and commissioned to make,
by virtue of their supposed fitness for
the purpose. The attorney that would
run to his clients for advice on every
question of law or fact raised, would
not retain clients long.
Much of the honor and dignity that
should attach to the privilege of rep
resenting the people in their state and
national legislatures has been sacri-
feed through failure give clients as
genuine and efficient service in the
making of their laws as is given them
in the Interpretation and application
Of those laws. Why should there be
any difference? Why should repre-
sentatives in the practice Of law be
entrusted with, accept and assume the
responsibility for action and advice.