The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1920-12-24
OLD FASHIONED DEMOCRAT.

fashioned, refreshingly frank member
from Colorado. Charles S. Thomas.
Mr.. Thomas Is democrat of the old
school. He believes that that people
is best governed who are least govern
ed. He has genuine admiration for
the fundamentals upon which our gov
eminent was based. He detests bu.
reaucracy and he does not hesitate
to denounce our present federal gov.
crnment as the most bureaucratic in
the whole world. But he is out of
date and perhaps realizing that fact
he was not a candidate for re,elec-
ton and voluntarily retires to give
place to a member who is more in
sympathy with the modern tendency
to regulate everything from materni-
ty to the grave by legislative fiat.
The senator from Colorado is en-
gagingly frank. What he says in the
Congressional Record is always inter-
esting. He has declined to be rub
Der stamp and to yield to every pass
ing breeze of popular passion. Re-
Gently he took the floor of the world S
most august legislative assembly to
speak his mind concerning the Shep-
pard-Towner bill which carries very
substantial appropriation. In the
course of his remarks he made this
declaration, the truth of which is ap-
parent to every intelligent observer:
II guarantee that | can take any
measure that has promised an appro-
priation for local expenditure and l
can get the support for 1t of practical
ly all Of the men and all of the women
of the state where the money is to be
expended. 1t counts of course; it
counts SO much that we legislate here
not according. to our convictions but
according to- the demands of our con-
stituents; in other words we are no
longer senator's; we are delegates; we
are rubber stamps"
Continuing In this same strain Sen.
ator Thomas drew a rather dark and
forbidding picture of the future. He
may have overdrawn it, perhaps he
did, for after all there may be enough
patriotism and saving grace of COM
mon sense in the American elector-
ate to check these tendencies before
we get to the precipice, but unques-
tionably the tendency is toward the
very evil conditions which Senator
Thomas here pictures, when he says:
I'VE used to keep one ear to the
ground, but now we keep both, and as
soon as we think we know what the
prevailing sentiment is at home we
make up our minds. AS a result lead
ership, craftsmanship, originality of
legislation have been transformed,
and when the whip cracks outside we
".
With our civil service organized and
affiliating with the American Fedora
tion of labor and with all other or
CARNATIONS of a kindred character
united we can under such pressure,
easily pass resolution in congress
dissolving the union or declaring war
against Great Britain or opening trade
with the Bolsheviki or take any 9TH
er action that seems to have behind
II sufficient pressure of a potential
political character"
Unquestionably we have drifted far
afield in our political philosophy. The
ancient landmarks are no longer re-
cognizable in the statutes of the state
and federal governments. During
the past quarter of a Gentry it is
said that more than $4,000 laws have
been passed by the congress and state
legislatures. No wonder cost of gov.
eminent is growing by leaps and
bounds and our tax burdens are grow
ing heavier all the time. We are all
in favor of economy unless by its
practice our own hands may be taken
from the public treasury. We would
reduce the civil list provided it does
not separate our particular friends
from the pay roll. Every en-
ploye of government has friends and
every form OF raid on the public treas
try finds it's supporters. By combin-
ing and pooling their claims efforts at
economy are worse than wasted. In
The earlier days the people looked to
the government to maintain order, to
secure respect for the flag abroad; to
settle differences with foreign nations
and to encourage commerce among
the peoples of the several states. Now
we look to our federal government for
job or an appropriation, sometimes
for both The old fashioned demo.
crat would be sadly out of Joint with
his associates today.
Senator Thomas made a statement
that is as true as holy writ, despite
the preachments of the times. when
no said. oThaha ie No RIVAL road 20