The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-27
AFTER ELEcTIoN-WHAT?

AFTER EXTRAORDINARY
Uncle Alfred has not yet announced
his purpose OF calling together, after
the election. the best minds in the state
20 frame q program, but he ought not
longer TO delay doing 30. He has made
II perfectly clear that he has nothing
constructive. Of his own, TO offer. He
criticlses Gov. Roberts for preserving
order and on account Of his tax laws.
But he does not promise that he would
not also preserve order. and his inti-
nations OF the methods he would use
in assessing the property Of the state
would almost provoke smiles on
marble statue. Hence. We see no rea-
son to postpone publication Of his in
fcntion to assemble the wise men as
socn as the election is over.
There are some persons who seem
70 take Uncle Alfred's candidacy Sc
riously. hut most Of those are num-
bsred among those who think the state
would be benefited by putting few
republicans IN ONCE instead OF a. many
democrats. This we do not believe.
Certainly NO thoughtful person can
promise himself = period OF progress
sivs legislation or progressive admin
Istration as o result. II Uncle Alfred
had In mind yny measures which he
believes would promote the happiness
and prosperity Of the people. and which
he believes would be approved by them,
he would tell us about them. The fact
that he scarcely pretcnds 70 DO any
thing Of the kind IL the best sort OF
evidence that he has no such meas
ures In contemplation.
Our government IL democratic re-
public. The people, in the final analy-
Ais, are the rulers. They have stated
times for the choosing OF those who
are to serve them. This choice cam
not be intelligently made unless those
who offer their services TO the people
indicate the plans by which they In.
tand to administer the government. II
II suspicious circumstance when such
persons refuse 10 take the people into
their confidence regarding their pur-
poses Several explanations OF such
refusal are deducible. Ono OF them
perhaps the most plausible Mt this time
lis that such persons have no prac-
Ideally matured plans IN mind. An
pfher--ana d very frequent one--is that
they do not believe the people would
approve OF their plans. Still another
one Il that they cannot improve on
what is being done.
Voters who read these lines may take
their choice--may determine for them
selves why Mr.. Taylor and Mr. Hard
ing as well, do not explain with some
Approximation to clearness what they
win DO when and II elected. The peo-
ple have q right 20 know--it is their
government. In selecting those who are
to carry Il on. they cannot make an
choice unless they have plans
proposed before them for consideration.
We again insist that failure TO outline
such plans In not reassuring indica-
fiom. Indirectly, such omission may be
construed as confession that what IL
already In progress IN about the best
that can be done.
There are faults to be found with
most all governments ana auministra-
tions. Every citizen has . Legitimate
right 10 object when he h not pleased
with anything about his government.
When many serious faults are discov-
cred. n IL only natural that remedies
be sought. II IL the custom TO pro-
pose these through the platforms ana
pledges Of candidates. When these
are not measurably clear and specific,
A NJ not easy to adopt a remedy that
WIN NJ an Improvement. When plat
forms are vague ana candidates arc
ntiIi more vague, there In danger that
me remedy which they would AFFORD
wc.If be worse than the original cause
Or causes OF complaint.
These observations describe fairly well
the attitude OF the republican candi-
6ates Tor governor ana president. They
are willing 20 profit from any little
Irritation which may have resulted
from governmental measures and poll
cier, hut neither Of them IL willing % |
tell you what he would DO In similar |
The charitable inference |
IL that they DO mot know. This con-
clusion 10 strengthened by the fact |
that neither Of them IN possessed OF
ability. They can object
--thnt doesn't require Ability--but they |
rannot offer anything better
In ne country, the winner o. the
presidency IL likely 20 have q congress
a. the same political persuasion. But
II Il q foregone conclusion that the
legislature will be democratic. Expari-
encs has proved that progress IL prac-
tioaily impossible with q democratic
Legislature and q republican governor,
even when the latter In a man OF con-
ntructive ability. How hopeless then
would be the situation with democratic
Iegfsiature and n republican governor
with no program OF procedure. II re-
unires q husky faith 20 zoe anything
hut confusion worse confounded In such
circumstances.