Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-09

! OF his wisdom and character That con-
Nlction has kept Congress dbcilc and
opculch,. has retained It's insistencc on
wanting TO know. curbcd it's icalous
craving FOR knowledge and some defer
ehce TO It's authority and rcsporsibility.
however. as the time for taking tho
stump comes nearer. the individual
''''ipcr expecting to lace Il contest be-
comes more uneasy. He is asked to au-
'h"rlzc legislative ana administrative
experiments which he is not allowed 10
examine. to which he cannot apply his
| own Intelligence. Little or large as
'hht intelligence may be. he has some
hatural personal faith in t. and desires
10 use II where he Is responsible for
consequences
nc tremendously important, really
Revolutionary, OvcrInan bill has bean
PASSED by the Senate and Is before the
House likely TO pass. SO fas Az can
be learned by some diligent inquiry
nobody in Congress knows why IL 10
wanted or how II viii be used Now
comes the request or demand for a
law. which VIII give the administra
ton power TO call into the ranks OF
the army. at it's discretion. every man
i'll the country able to carry a rifle
This may he wise and necessary but
members OF Congress feels that thcy
have the right TO know why the law
H. wanted and how IL VIII be used. Ger
tainl% tho great majority Of them are
left ignorant. These two vital meas
ures may toe taken as Illustrations OF
general condition.
Democrats. and soms Republicans
may hope now that they may go to
their constituents with the simple de-
claration, II stood by the President"
and so win rc-clcctious. Tina. Viii he
enough IL the administration retains it's
ropuiarity. There is the rub--that IL
The member OF Congress has chills
along his spine as nc compartments that
n" may be forced 10 stake his pol!t!ca,
life on tho continued popularity and
strength Of man who somehow may
offend or antagonizo public sentiment,
even temporarily. He is startled by tho
haunting fear that lac may be damned
by a mistake. which he IS not allowed
opportunity TO torcscc or assist in
guarding against. He is asked TO tahc
the risk OF catching his Ga,nnation
from tho error 81 misfortune Of another
man Who docs not consult him
IN" realities and philosophy o. the
situation are plain. The remedy Is
equally plain. II IS recognition OF the
Individual! d.n1cUlties OF tho members
OF Congress and OF tho dignity ard
rights OF the Congress as whole. In
this election year At least. the rep
rcscntativcs OF the public should be In
formed fully OF the meaning and pur-
pose OF all they are asked TO do. II
that is done. the President may APP
peal. win confidence. TO people and
press to hasten action and rcprcss any
opposition and tri.iing haw picking
The pressure for administration meas
urcs should come from the people WITH
out rather than from official and per-
sonal Influence within. The public
should be made responsible. and with
full understanding. for what IS done
for II ana in It's name. The public de-
serves confidence more than ever be
fore because in the presence OF emc--
gcncy /; is learning to think clearly.
10 act directly and 10 mobilize its
sentiment rapidly and effectively.