The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-09-08
The Old Order, Or the New?

Except for the unresponslveneSs Of
the national congress In refusing II
enact into legislation Senator Nickel
lars famous bill providing for COLOMBIA
tion or segregation Of those who would
change the constitution Of the United
states by peaceful means or other
wise" the island Of Zap would be the
inevitable. II not the final destination
Of Gov. Samuel ". Mccall Of Msssa-
chusetts,
In tire September number OF the At
Iantic Monthly, Gov. Mccall writes
brief article entitled Again the Sen
ats," which might have been more cor
reetly designated Against the SEN
ate"
Gov. McCalrs complaint is that there
10 no way OF obtaining "a great anc
solemn referendum on the league oil
nations as proposed last winter by the
president.
Gov, Mccall admits that II would be
very impressive for a great and free
people to meet at their polling booths
and by their ballots speak the simple
words Of our great soldier: Let us
have peace" He admits 1t would be
the most impressive spectacle ever wit
messed in the history OF our govern
mant But Gov, Mccall also admits
that there could be no such referen-
DUN. even at a general election.
A president and house OF represen-
tatives might be chosen strongly in
favor OF or against the treaty, and the
moral effect Of the mandate would be
both great and solemn, but nothing
would be settled.
The voters are without power to elect
q new senate which would be charged
with Jurisdiction over the treaty. The
constitution provides that the president
shall negotiate treaties, by and with
the consent OF two thirds Of the MEM
hers of the senate. II would require
six years at least to so change the
complexion Of a hostile senate that II
could be brought into perfect accord
with the sentiment OF the people. con-
csdins that they are opposed 10 its
present stand, E..
Gov, Mccall believes the senate has
assumed such powers within recent
years that II 10 a menace TO the
ration. He declares that Its eneroach-
Hnent upon the house OF representatives
10 paralleled only by its encroachment
upon the powers Of the president.
II the senate should not be abolished
altogether, Gov. Mccall believes II
should be relieved Of the congestion Of
power from which II and the country
suffer. and in the matter Of It's tenure
Il should be made more responsive to
public, opinion, ....
He believes our institutions should be
rscast In response to the demands Of
modern condstlons.
He favora legislative bodies that are
quick 10 sense public sentiment and
ready 10 jump In the direction Of every
political wind that blows.
We are rather inclined TO the opin-
ion that the objections raised by Gov,
Mccall are arguments that might bell
ter be used for the maintenance Of our
traditional institutions,
The trouble with Q great many Inn
pstuous persons 10 that when they find
some popular fallSey does not TT in
with the order Of things under which
this government not only has existsd.
but prospersd and progressed. they
think the regular and constitutional or
der should be abandoned or abolished
in order to accommodate the passing
fancy.
Gov. Mccall has been in politics quite
long enough 10 know something, II
not quite q good deal, Of the changes
that are ruRg In public sentiment. rub
lie sentiment Is the barometer Of the
tlHfe-serYlng politician. II may change
in . month, or week, or over night.
but has never been able to change fast
or than the politician,
The public speaks quickly, but as a
rule does It's thinking slowly Its first
expressions come from impulse. but
It's final verdict is the result OF sober
second thought.
This country 10 fortunate in being
fortified behind institutions that do
not yield TO the first impulse,
II the senate is not amenshls 10 the
vsefing winds Of public opinion, and
must. therefore be regarded as out Of
line with modern conditions. how much
greater would the menace be II the ma
tionsl house Of representatives possessed
the exclusive lsw-making and treaty.
ratifying prerogative?
The members Of We house Of repre-.
sentatives are close TO the people, but
the people have no very great reverence
for them. They do not even accord them
the respect 10 which they ere entitled
They are not elected because OF ability
~ lawmakers or on account Of their
regulations az statesmen, but because
Of personal popularity or machine poll.
tics in their congressional districts,
The senate may be abused, and some
may profess TO believe II should he
abolished, but after all tho AmsrioAp
people look 10 It as a bulwark against
infringement upon their constitutional
rights.
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