South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-13
PARTYLEADER
FLAYS ACT OF
COP. SENATE
TX. Gov. Mccall of MassaChu-
sets Would Transfer
Senate Powers.
WRITES LONG ARTICLE
Says Element Antagonistic to
Traditions is Influence
ing Body.

Special to The News Times
BOSTON. Mass. Sept 12.-sam-
uel " Mccall. after his service Of
two decades as a republican in the
nauona house Of representatives and
rs governor Of Massachusetts for
three years. has written an artice for
the September issue OF the Atlantic
Monthly" under the title Again the
Senate"
The main point made I'm the article
is that the upper branch Of con-
gress has encroached on the ere
cutive functions I'm one direction, and
on the legislative powers Of the
house Ga the other.
Governor Mccall reaches the con-
cIusiou that the power TO ratify
treaties should be transferred from
the senate. which he regards as an
undcmocratic agency in the center
OF "a democratic government, TO the
house of reI Iresentatives. Whether or
not this proposal wins public assent,
what Gov Mccall has 20 say about
the senate Is attracting widespread
attention The Atlantic Monthly
enioius the public 10 read it, not as
republicans or democrats, but as
americans ALL
Part Of Governor McCalls article
follows.
While even an enthusiast would
be compelled 10 admire the present
senate of the United states with
some moderation, q undoubtedly
contains many able and patriotic
men There have been few better
LAWYERS ever in that body, or few
men OF greater intellectual energy.
than Mr. Knox. In breadth and fair
uess of mind. and in the statesman
like quality, Mr.. Underwood would
have hcAn a CONSPICUOUS figure in
any senate I'm our history. The names
associated with genuine talent and
public spirit are too many 20 be re-
pcated here
AntagonistiC Element
And yet. during the past genera
ton an element antagonistic TO the
old traditions has found its way into
tho body. and has welded an infu-
cnCe far out of proportion 20 its
numbers The ways of the jobbcr and
the piratical methods sometimes as
sociated with what is called big
business have been in evidence in
IT'S management
Some men have found their way
into 30 who have amassed great for
tunes i'm its service As a result the
senate has stood as the rampant, not
indeed OF property. but OF great and
special interests, the well-bcing .
which was by no means always COM
pltible with the general veal and
was often antagonLstiC TO the insti-
tuition OF property itself From
these and other causes there has
been a distinct lowering or tone and
it has been shorn OF much of its
ancient splendor.
Moral DcCndcnCc
This moral deCadence has shown
itself in the recent notable debate
upon the treaty. There are some
who indulge in the dream that our
time may marguerite a new era and
may realize the asplra ticns OF the
race for a golden age. They hope
that the peoples of the world may
have the wisdom after a war d.
structive and wicked beyond all
parallel 20 take steps 10 safeguard
the peace Of the future. and 10 free
mankind from servitude 20 a mon5
ster that has been its most deadly
and impiaCable foe.
Foremost object
1T has destroyed hundreds Of mill
lions of the choicest youth. IL has
devoured the substance OF nations.
and 81 bids fair. II not checked. 20
ohllterate civilization itself. The hope
OF making Iermdnent peace a fOIe-
most object OF the War was held out
90 the men who were sent 20 the
front and In that faith save thei-
lives.
III the dream should happily be
made 90 come true. those who follow
US by q few CcnteurieS. IN looking
back upon the history OF the time.
may well regard with wonder the
contribution 20 this result madS
by the senate Of great people.
Thev would look there for the cul-
minatlon of q symphony unsurpassed
since Bethlehem. and at least for a
moral enthusiasm commensurate
so noble "a cause
Would SEC Cause
They would indeed read speeches,
some of real eloQuencc and Of analy-
tical power and they would witness
much learning upon details. But they
would see "a cause Of colossal inn
portauce brought down to the level
of the hustiuEs. as n 10 were the
prime purpose. rot 90 confer mem
ora bic boon upon mankind. but 10
carry the next election They would
see 70 too much dsfgured by hate.
and uarred by the ravens croakinE
note. and they would b. able 90
catch too littlc Of the majestic tones
OF the spiritual voices OF the age
Whatever may have been the
merit OF the verbal criticism OF the
treaty. or OF the clauses that were
suggested 90 improve it. the moral
tone OF -hc debate as a whole fell
FAR below the sublime level Of the
theme"