Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-05-29
Back to the CONSTITUTION"

n q rarely do members of the House and
~ Senate take into serious account the
Constitution of tie United States in their
deliberations that any onlightening discus
sion Of that great charter upon the floor OF
Congress excites genuine interest outside
as we'll as inside Legislative councils. II
was that fact which attracted attention to
the very statesmanlke argument of Repre-
sentative Henry St George Tucker, of Nir-
Cinia. upon the obligation Of the President
TO submit the naval treaty to the House
as we'll to the Senate, an argument based
upon constitutional requirement as estab-
lished by precedent and practice for more
than 100 years.
The circumstances under which this e1-
ccedingly able argument was presented
were unusual Mr.. Tucker had boon out of
Congress for twenty-five years and although
new generation of legislators had taken
their places in the House meanwhile. these
men entertained a wholesome respect for
the Nirginian as n recognized authority upon
constitutional law respect scarcely less pro-
found than that accorded Mr.. fuckers dis
tinguished father, John Randolph Tucker.
Soon after taking his seat in the present
Congress, MIR. Tucker introduced a resolu
ton requesting the President ~ lay before
the House the naval treaty and all papers
in tho Department of State bearing upon
that compact taking the ground that mas
much as naval limitation could only become
effective through concurrent Legislative
rion the House as we'll as the Senate had a
right 10 know officially OF the conclusion of
such treaty. At once the Naval Affairs
Committee of the House became interested
in the Tucker measure and invited the Rep
resentative 10 address that body
This address was so convincing as TO the
NJ NJ ha ba hat
Representative Butler. of Pennsylvania a
Republican and the veteran chairman of the
committee requested Mr. Tucker 10 pre-
sent the same argument TO the whole House
OF Representatives, arranging TO allow the
N!rginian an hours time. IL need be. that
time 10 be taken out of the allotment of
the majority.
II was in the course OF this address that
Mr. Tucker reviewed the whole question
of the right OF the House OF Representa-
lives 10 be formally apprised OF the negotia-
tion OF every treaty which involved legis-
lation with which the House itself was
called upon 10 deal Mr. Tucker agreed
al course, that only tho senate has the
power 10 ra'ity such a pact. The House has
no voice whatever In that process, but
,r"aties have been concluded since the be-
ginning of the government which obliga,e
tn" House 10 act in order that they NAV be-
come effective
The naval limitation treaty, Mr Tucker
holds - an instrument in question. Under
y this government binds itself 10 restrict
It's naval construction, on the ono hand.
and 10 reduc" It's existing armament. on
the other Before such an agreement, can
hocom" operative tho House Of Reprcscn,a-
tivos must take action and since action Is
| required OF The House. the Virginian insists
mat the President should transmit 10 that
h9ay an oihcial copy OF the treaty and all
executive documents relating TO il.
Although House leaders in some cases
failed TO sec what might he gained con
crcteiy BY calling for the treaty, no, ono Of
| them challenged the reasoning OF the Viz
GINA Representative. and unless the White
House voluntarily submits The treaty 10 tho
House, the chances are that the Tucker
resolution will he adopted