The Topeka state journal., 1919-01-30
they will soon become a fostering sore
N the body polite.
Not Consulted Congress.

tney VIII soon become teSterinS sore
N the body polite.
Not Consulted Congress.
even now, these most remarkable
grants of power to the executive de-
partment of the government seem to
be bearing fruit. as our distinguished
president is now on trip to Europe
for the avowed purpose of consum-
mating a treaty of peace, and, SO far
as I have been able to learn, he has
not consulted with the senate, or TAX
en- its members into his confidence,
relative to the terms and conditions
of the treaty that is supposed to be
made, and has apparently arbitrarily
ignored the other treaty making
branch of the government, as created
by the constitution.
mot only does this seem to be true,
but If we can rely upon the informa-
ton contained in the public press our
distinguished president is making
weekend visits with the kings and
princes of Europe, and presents of
great value have been handed him as
tokens of respect from these kings
and princes, and SO far as we have
been able to learn the consent of con-
gress. as required by the constitution,
has not even been requested, a condi-
tion of things which, in my judgment,
cannot be permitted to long continue
without striking at the very vitals of
our institutions.
From what I have said, 1t seems
to me that for nearly a quarter of
century there has been a growing ten
dency to concentrate autocratic, arbi-
trary and discretionary power into the
hands of the executive functionarieS of
government, to be exercised by them.
"At this time, there is meeting in
Paris conference of the great states
men of the world. who are attempt
ing to arrange upon such terms of
peace as will prevent such tremendous
-e a { q " hpan
PEELED to witness during the last four
years; and one of the ideas that is
being strenuously contended for. for
the purpose of the prevention of all
future wars is a SO called league of
nations
No Concrete League Plan.
y "Up until this time. I have not seen
any concrete plan for the so-called
league of nations that has been pro-
posed by any of these great men, and
it may seem presumptuous for me to
hazard a prediction however, at the
risk of being shown to be wrong by
future events, l am going to predict
that no such league of nations can
ever be of any lasting benefit.
1.-The thought that L desire to spe-
cially impress is, that all government,
municipal, state. national, and, If you
please, international, must be found
ed upon, and its functions exercised
under and by virtue of. and in accord
ance with the legislative declarations.
as counter-distinguishe from being
exercised in the arbitrary discretion of
men.
Il do not know of any class of men
so we'll qualified the lawyers to
take up and assist in the determina-
ton OF these problems 1. therefore,
say to the lawyers of Kansas, and else
where, that they should now set their
faces toward the mecca of the destruc-
ton of arbitrary and discretionary
power. They should insist with vigor,
that the executive departments of gov
ernment shall be limited to execute the
powers granted by law. and be COM
PEELED to act strictly within these linn
its. They should insist that legislation
should be limited to the protection of
the weak against the unjust aggres-
sions of the strong, which are the true,
functions of government. They should
insist that the courts be limited to the
functions intended for them by the
constitution, that is, to determine and
declare the law.
j. NJ. Challis on League of Nations.
]. NJ. Challis. of Atchison. was one
of the principal speakers during the
afternoon session, and in his address
he dwelt at length on the proposed
league of nations to enforce peace.
The Atchison orator reviewed the
history of the world and its conflicts
from Biblical times and seriously
doubted tnaC a league OF naCOnS cOulu
ever be formed that would be an abso-
lutte guarantee against wars.
'It does not presage well for the
future" he said, when we realize that
at this moment, with alp the boasted
benefits of our civilization, we have not
peace, but a simple cessat ton of hos
tilities, following a world war, which
for maIignity and magnitude surpassed
all former manifestations of the brute
of man. In view of that fact, cannot
we almost say that the promised peace
on earth and good will toward men
will only be realized when the memory
of man and time shall cease? To the
credit of the race, however, it can be
said that at all times there have been
those who have sought to prevent war
and bloodshed by treaty and compact,
and. the recent holocaust thru which
the world has passed has only tended
to increase their number and influ-
ence."
Challis doubted the desire of
United States of the world and dwelt
upon the dangers of super-world
power which he said might bring into
being many of the evils which have
just been wiped out by the crushing
Of he HUNS