South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-08
AUGUST 8. 1922
4 NECESSARY ISSUE.

Probably the least able person in the world
give the reason for his triumphant nomina-
ion for from Missouri IS Senator James A.
Reed He discounts his own power OF personality
and his wonderful ability sway and women
cy his eoquence and his virile sincerity.
But at entitled to his opinion as TO
the thing that made a majority Of democrats In a
which had virtually thrown him from the
party two years return to his banner and again
acclSam him chief.
Reed says that the issue was rebellion against
domination OF politics and a demand for a return
20 the old theory OF government which makes the
executive legislative and judicial branches OF the
government OF equal dignity and power.
II that not the issue it should be issue,
for It 3 a thing that must be faced very
less the people lose the checks and balances upon
which the government theoretically. is founded.
The constitution contemplated that the mem
bers OF congress elected by the people should
make laws; that the executive should enforce them
and that the judiciary should interpret them.
That is theory Government is
worked upon that basis
Every president from the time OF Roosevelt has
virtually ruled congress, swinging a big stick of
sort other. driving congress into the pas
sage Of laws which the president the people.
demanded.
The president has usurped the power OF congress
20 an that It's members fear the wrath
OF their president IL their party be in power, than
they do the wrath OF outraged people. II the
people feel aggrfeved.
Instead Of merely advising congress as to the
necessities OF the nation. presidents now as mat
ter OF precedent demand that certain laws be
passed. or others defeated The Veto instead OF
curb upon hasty legislation becomes a club. Pat
ronage, instead Of being used to obtain efficiency in
government. becomes bride for legislation.
It does not stop there. The judiciary has
crOached upon the powers Of congress to
tent that its opinion OF the wisdom OF laws sways
It's decisions. The limit was reached in the child
labor law when the supreme court hunting for an
excuse to nunify the will Of congress and OF the
people. searched the records to the motives OF
members in voting for that law
So did that trespass upon the proper
powers OF congress that it gave as reason for
acting aside this law that congress had tried
20 pass a revenue law but had really meant to
make child labor illegal
with that precedent. the court might easily
look into tariff acts and declare them illegal be-
certain senator's own sheep. others have
stock in steel mills and clients who
raise potatoes.
The result OF this combined attack upon the leg
i5Iative Sranch has heen to reduce Il to almost
meaningless body. AS far making laws
cerned. people might we'll send a bunch Of
rubber stamps TO the White House and permit the
president aftx signatures to laws he desires.
When any law is passed, the president should first
ask OF the judges who holding life jobs.
not removable, whose final personal Judgment
makes and unmakes laws power that
intended by the constitution.
The people beginning to the OF
inability 70 secure needed legislation. They are
beginning 70 understand that there has been quiet
revolution in this country by which they showed
away from their original power TO make and
make the rules under which they live.
Republics depend for their stability upon the law
Of the land being the viii of the people
Any obstacle that achievement IS attack
Upon government, whether It comes through cor
rr1ptIon ofaciais by privileged interests
usurpatlon OF rower BY presidents and judges.
Il IS time give back TO congress its power, the
ship OF state IL too far from dock.
real fight. by OF courage. 70 restore power
and dignity 10 congress, ought to obtain wide
support.
Autocracy in whatever form it appears, is TO be
Stunned and the present road leads IN that direc-
ton