The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-25
An Absurd Proposal.

q An armour cement una hA~ "'"'s'"
considerable interest Is TO the erect
that bill has been drawn b, the ma
tionaI administration fer Transmission
10 the various state legislatures making
IL a felony for any executive or legs
lator to proceed or vote contrary 70
the specifications Of the platform upon
which he was elected
we do not like 10 think OF law o.
,his nature unless there is assurance
mat the statute OF limitations precludsH
proceedings against former offenssS
We recall that the Democratic pi"'-
form Of 1912 contained this paragraph
awe favor a single presidential term
and 10 that end urge the adoption OF
nm amendment TO the constitution max
ing the president Of the United States
ineligible for re election. and we pledge
the candidate OF this convention to this
principle"
Another interesting clause in the
same platform was In these words
i.swe favor the exemption from toll OF all
American ships engaged In coas'w'sc
trade passing through the canal IN
the same platform appeared spleh'
did tribute TO the American people Tor
their neutrality which gave rise to the
Injunction that 1--WE should be neutral
N thought as we'll AZ in act" and the
nlatform concludes with a eommenda-
ton OF President Wilson, who has
preserved the vital interests OF our
government and its citizens and kept
US out o! war.
Another expression OF the platform
OF 1916 more recently absorbing the
public attention says I'VE recommend
the extension OF the franchise 70 the
women Of the country by the states
upon the same terms ~ to men
We do not believe the violation 81
these few provisions Of the many thal
might be mentioned constitutes an OF
Tense against the best interests OF the
EsopS ,,
We do not believe even President
Wilson will insist that the violation OF
the platform declaring for single
presidential term and making the pres
ident ineligible for reelection IL allo-
gether bad, =.
II we are not mistaken, the repeal OF
The law exemI ting American ships from
paying toll in passing through the Pana
ma canal was accomplished at the
earnest solicitation Of the president
himself
The solicitude OF the president and
the candidate for the presidency, to
say nothing OF the vast number OF
others. that expect in some way to
profit politically from the enfranchise'
Inent OF women in favor OF the ratifica-
tlon of the Nineteenth amendment, Is
violence Of how far country can turn
and how completely politicians can
ehange within the marNelously short
period OF four eventful years
Future generations. II they have the
true aad disposition 10 study political
platforms, may be amazed to read the
stirring words OF the Democratic con-
vention at St Louis in 1915 lRuding
the president for keeping US out of
wal hhh NAit tN4ah9 htttA 'AhNNF w
the president by the next convention
at San Francisco in 1890 for winning
tine war.
There may be times when plat
form expression should be carried out
as a sacred obligation. There are other
times when n platform should not be
considered seriously. but interpreted a..
cording to what was written In good
faith and what was inserted as a vote
catching phrase to make party success
assured.
We believe the trend Of the tlmes
iE away from the disposition TO com
init a president, member Of congress
governor or even a legislator to a given
course OF procedure as by a written
contract for his term Of office.
This country needs some independent
thinking and independent acting We
live under a representative form OF gov.
eminent and the best results can be
accomplished by the election OF able
men to high position and trusting
them 70 serve the country as their
judgment and conscience dictate