Evening star., 1919-05-11
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

~ NE week from tomorrow, at
noon. commences Congress
which by all signs and
tokens should be one of the
memorable legislative assemblies OF
American history. Its enactments, II
carried out along lines now proposed.
will profoundly affect the destinies of
this nation and have important bear
ing upon the future of other peoples
of the world.
The laws 1t places upon the statute
hooks will have tremendous eIect
upon domestic affairs. making depar-
lures in new directions;. effecting
changes which may be classed as
revolutionary in economic policies OF
the government of the United states
and the daily life and affairs of the
people.
Well may the chaplains of the House
and Senate, as they will do. invoke
Divine blessing and guidance upon
the solons-they will need 1t. 1t
will be a frivolous and thoughtless
man who fails to appreciate the seri-
BUSINESS and far-reaching Importance
Of the work before this Congress. as
lie takes the oath of office and starts
upon the performance of tho duties
that will confront him. "a
* X X X
"I do soIemnly swear that 1 will
support and defend the Constitution
of the United
OATH OF MEMBERS States against
HAS NEW MEANING. an enemies.
foreign and
domestic; that I Will bear true faith
and allegiance to that same
So runs the oath which each mem
ber Of the House and the newly elect
ed members Of the Senate must take
and subscribe to. 1t will take on
added Significance and so1emnity, II
that were possible. The Constitution
has enemies, both foreign and do
mestic, who would wish 1t Ill of
malice prepense: and 1t Is charged in
many quarters that there are others
who may work 1t i'll invoiuntarily.
But the Constitution will have friends
IN both houses. Jealous. Jealous and
jwatchful. to a greater degree now.
perhaps. than ever before.
when the treaty OF peace comes be-
work OF the
DIVISION OF WORK Congress win
BETWEEN HOUSES. be divided in
to two classes
consideration Of foreign policies by
the Senate and handling OF heavy do
msstio propositions by the House. OF
course. in due time. the Senate must
pass upon the latter. but for q while
the division will thus be clear.
The House will have no word to say
about the treaty, but may later have
to deal with questions arising under
spnd growing out Of the treaty. the
furnishing Of money to effect certain
obligations imposed upon the govern
ment by the treaty.
X X ~
An intensely dramatic situation 10
expected to be presented in the COM
IN 6STUB.
OUTLOOK 10 FOR gle between
A DRAMATIC FIGHT. Presfdsnt
Wilson and
tire republican majority in the Senate
The executive will return from Eu-
rone precsded by the report Of hav-
ing swayed men and governments to
his will. He will face a Senate that
10 opposed to him politically. and part
Of It's membership utterly hostile to
means to the end he seeks to accom-.
plish In the league OF nations cove.
nant That opposition is based upon
the Judgment and sincere conviction
OF senators. The President holds that
their objections TO his ptan are not
wei taken and must not be permitted
10 prevail. The President il convinced
that the public sentiment Of this soun-
try is on his side and he will appsaI
20 II. over the heads Of the opposins
senators.
II 10 now proposed by the resisting
senator's 10 challenge the prssihsnt's
assertion. Geclsred By them to be an
assumption. that the country 10 over
~hsiminE1y for the league Of nations,
IL Is suggested that the covenant be
snnmitt"d to tina country by refersn
d1m for popular vote upon II, and
fhus determine for once and all what
the country hoHs want. This sussss-
f'n 10 expected 10 be opposed by ths
Fr"sidsnt Oh tho Eround that II will
delay tho sfrecting of peaea.
The ~
hare Witnessed some stirring contests
between Congress and the executive
nut never battle such ns the one
that nov impsnds,
y II u n
On. veil. let's pass up ths treaty
, snd tho league for tho nor,eo.. ,hers
are other
: NEW SET OF IDEALS ,hi,.s 10,
TO RULE CONGRESS. cenxress te
deal wit h