Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-10-10
Choosing League Representatives.

Whenever the League of Nations becomes a working
reality, as it is assumed it will, each member state will
have a voice and a vote in the league assembly, and in
addition each state which is a member Of the council will
have a voice and a vote in that body. The league consti-
tuition makes no provision for the method of selecting
these representatives. leaving this, with entire propriety,
to the nations concerned, each being expected to select
IT'S delegate or delegates in it's own way.
The. method under which the representatives Of the
United States are to be chosen has not received much at
tention, but it has been the subject of a little discussion,
and there will be more discussion as the time for action
approaches. Under one senate bill it is proposed that the
Representatives of the United States in the league assem-
bly, and council shall be chosen by the electoral college.
the choice to be for a four year term, and to be made at
the same time and in the same manner as the election
Of president and vice president.
There arises at once the question whether or not
such an arrangement can be made by congress. The
for a specific purpose. that of choosing a president and a
vice president of the United States. The constitution pre-
scribes for It no other duties. and it was not conten plated
that it should perform any other duties. Very clearly
congress cannot abolish the electoral college, nor can it
lessen its powers in any way. The fact that the electoral
college is a merely formal body which has never func-
toned as it was intepded and expected to do is imma-
terial. Regardless of the invariable practice the college
has the unquestioned constitutional right to pick the most
HAL !" II COuuI n possesses n reQulS1Le
qualifications as to age and citizenship and make him
president Of the United States. Congress cannot deprive
it Of that right. Whether it can require of the electors
the performance of other duties not contemplated in the
constitution may sometimes require a decision from the
courts.
But, assuming that there are no constitutional OBJ
stacles, is the proposed plan a good one?
If this arrangement were made it is very clear what
would happen. The electoral college would not act as a
deliberattve body in this matter any more than it does
In the presidential election. Each political party would
nominate its candidate for the league positions when it
makes Its presidential and vice presidential nominations.
The electors would merely make a formal record Of the
popular decision, just as they do now. The party ticket
would be enlarged by the addition of more names.
The plan is likely to appeal to those who delight in
manipulating political machinery. 1t would give the poll
,ticians more trading stock in conventions. Nobody is ever
nominated for vice president because of his supposed fit
ness for the Office while he occupies it, or for the Office
Of president should that become vacant. The ability and
willingness of a man to contribute to campaign funds
has had its influence in some cases, but in general the
candidate for vice president is chosen to placate an indi-
vidual or a faction, to give recognition to a geographical
section, or for some other equally political purpose. Sim
liar considerations would undoubtedly govern in the selec-
ton of candidates for places in the league assembly or
council. The result would be that our elections would
be more complicated than they are now, and the man
who makes the most noise, rather than the man of great.
est ability, would be most likely to be sent to represent
the nation in the league councils.
Inc men who are to represent the United States
in the League of Nations should be chosen for their fit
ness. and for nothing else. They can best be chosen by
an able and conscientious president, and should be so
chosen. as all important officials of the federal govern
ment are subject TO the approval of the senate.