Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1919-01-31
AFTER MARCH FOURTH.

A political change that may or may
not bring about inportant conse-
quences will take place on the 18th of
March next. For six years the execu-
tive and legislative departments of
the government have been controlled
not merely by one of the great politi-
cal parties but more than ever before
by that officer OF the government who,
under the constitution, 10 entitled to
the executive power only. That has
been owing partly to the presidents
personality and to his conception OF
his powers and duties; partly to the
state OF war that has existed during
a large part of the time-a condition
that necessitated prompt and united
action; partly to the patriotic deter
mination of members OF both parties
to adopt every measure that would
promote efficiency in the crisis that
was upon us; and partly the unwil-
lingness OF Senators and Representa-
tives to stir up internal discord at
such a time by asserting and main
tanning their independence OF execu-
tive dictation. f.
When the sxity-fifth congress ex-
pires ON March 3 that situation will
come to an end. Thereafter both
branches of congress will be under
the control OF the party nominally
and technically opposed to the pres
ident.
There 10 no real difference In the
ultimate aims Of the two parties and
little difference In tne means by
which they would attain them. They
have been equally jealous in the ma
tional cause, have supported with al
most equal earnestness the definite
measures brought before them for
making the war successful. are equal
ly determined that the peace shall be
righteous and lasting, and disagree
only as TO some details OF the plans
for making 1t so. Nevertheless. they
are two parties. They approach
some questions from different points
of view and occasionally divide on
party lines. Those are good reasons
why hereafter the responsibility for
measures relative to the settlement
in Europe should be divided and not
assumed exclusively by one of them.
It is not cFiticising what has taken
place in the past TO say that the coun-
try now needs the best thought Of
men OF every political party. in earn
est. and particularly In friendly, dis
QUESTION. in order to make that settle
ment wise and worthy of the high
ideals with which we entered and
have prosecuted the war. While the
war lasted II may have Deen we'll that
the power to act instantly and almost
automatically was vested in one man;
but no such necessity exists now.
The more points of view from which
proposed measures can be considered
and the more thoroughly they can be
examined and debated, the more like
ly shall we be to reach sane conclu-
sions. To that end it is we'll that va
rious schools Of thought be engaged
in the preliminary work Of deyising
plans. and the more undesirable is It
that It be not left altogether to the
minds of a single political school.
OF one thing the country may be
sure. The election resulted in the
choice OF congress as loyal and az
jealous in the national cause ga would
have been the case IL the other party
had won. 1t may be and probably
will be less ready to accept without
question or change, not the presi-
dents aims. for it's aims are the same
az his, but his definite and prescribed
means OF attaining them; and discus
sion VIII bring out the beat methods.
Youths Companion.