The Washington herald., 1920-04-18
OFU. S. PROBLEMS DEL LAYED
BY PACT DEFEAT, COMMONERs HOLDS
the Presidential
Race IN First Of Series Of
Stories that VIII Run in
The Herald Until Con-
vention Time.


stood 10 to IS. This is more than
half OF ss, the total membership of
tne senate, without counting the
eight paired in favor OF ratifica-
ton. Counting votes and pairs, the
Senate stood 81 (is voting ana 8
paired) for TO 30 cas- voting and 4
paired) against-1s majority for
ratification.
The Constitution makes q two
thirds vote necessary for the ratifi-
cation OF q treaty. but this Constitu-
donal provision was written 100
years ago and at q time when the
sentiment of the world was not as
strong In favor of peace as IL Is now,
That Constitutional requirement has
obstructed the path toward peace
and enabled a minority Of the Sem
ate to defeat the will OF the ma
tority. The effect of the provinon
is to permit the minority to suspend
action indefinitely or until an hp-
peal can be taken to the people. but
such a course IL in effect q filibuster
against the majority filibuster
at a time when the nation cannot
consent to II without doing irrep-
arabic injury to the basic theory Of
popular government.
Is II not time for the people. en-
ploying the Constitutional methods
provided in the organic law itself.
to SO change the Constitution As to
make the document harmonic with
democratic principles and the needs
of,today. Is IL not time for IN amend
ment that will permit the majority
to ratify? 1t might be majority Of
the Senate, IL IL is. desired to con-
tinue the Senate's monopoly OF
treaty matters. But as treaties
often involve a declaration OF the
nations policy and generally in
volve the expenditure OF money. it
may be better to deposit the ratify-
ing power in Congress rather than
in either branch. A majority can
jority to conclude peace? Why not
make II as easy to end a war as to
bestn it-as easy to come out of 1t
as to 80 into 1t?
A Plea 10 Congress.
At this time. when the world is
looking on and anxiously awaiting
our action. we are in q position to
fire another shot that will be heard
around the world" We can impress
other nations, as we can hardly i'm
press them in any other way. by
making our Constitution conform
to the theory toward which the
world Is marching. We appeal to
all nations to recognize the people
as the source of power and to trust
them with the arbitrament Of all
questions that concern them. Now
let US give them an outstanding
illustration of our own faith In the
principle by applying It to Con-
gress. We can thus extricate our
selves from an embarrassing situa-
ton; protect ourselves from such
a condition OF helplessness In the
future: relieve the world Of sus-
rsnse and, at the same time, more
firmly establish the great govern
mental doctrines for which we
stand sponsor.
II this Congress will immediately
submit such an amendment. there
Is little doubt but that the two
conventions will endorse 1t and that
will not only insure its ratification
within a year, but the certainty of
an early ratification will in all
probability persuade the present
Senate to anticipate ratification by
putting the plan into operation i'm
mediately after the conventions by
permitting the majority. as record
ed. to become the two-thirds ma
jority required by the Constitution.
Eleven of those voting in the mega.
tive can do this by Withholding
their votes out OF Difference to the
rights of the majority.
Let the people rule. There is no
alternative to democracy except the
adoption Of a policy which gives
the presumption Of right to the
minority. and that is antagonistic
to our entire theory of govern
ment.