The Washington times., 1922-06-18
nation 5 BASIC
Law IN DANGER
HANESASSERTS
Power of Minority Growing
Through Propaganda.
Says Congressman.
OFFICIALS USURP RULE.
Group Government a Return
to Tyranny Which Citizens
Should Combat.
By WINDER r. HARRIS.
Universal Service.


Congressman Harry B. Hawes, OF
Missouri, has joined forces with
Senator Borah and others in and
out Of Congress who are rallying
10 the battle cry against official
and legislative lawlessness."
The present agitation for a curb
on the tendency of public officials
and members of legislative bodies to
ignore and even defy the constitu-
ton, Halves says, has focused atten-
tion on an alarming condition to
which leaders among those who
would preserve liberty and democ-
racy in the Republic have given
serious thought for many months.
Analyses Bill Of Rights.
The Missouri Congressman was
granted permission by the House 10
print in the Congressional Record
6,O00-word special study and analysis
of the first ten Amendments to the
Federal Constitution, or the "bill Oh
Rights" He points out what rights
benefits and liberties these admend
ments were designed to preserve TOT
tn6 ptOplC anu NoiiO W. -.
Americans to bestir themselves lest
their "Bin Of Rights" be forever lost.
Mr.. Halves says:
THE great thinkers and educators
Of our country are becoming alarmed
at the neglect of the study OF the
Constitution.
1--WE are in a period Of reaction
which always follows a great war.
Intolerance and bigotry seems to be
developing. Hasty and intemperate
legislation is proposed. State and
Federal officials are attempting to
make laws Of their own. Organized
minority groups are driving the
legislative and executive officers irto
acts of official lawlessness.
To meet and combat this menace,
he declares, a better understandings
Of the Constitution is necessary.
produce the check now so necessary
for the preservation Of our broader
liberties"
Same Doctrine Of Tyranny.
Reciting the prohibitions laid down
in the Constitution against usurpa-
ton of authority by the Government
as "our Constitutional answers to
the power of the king" he asserts:
They must still be our answer TO
those who would restore to our gov
ernment and officials the powers
taken from the king.
These must be our answers to 'he
self.inflated public official whose
brief authority causes him to think
that he is a king.
1.-THE king can do no wrong was
the old doctrine Of tyranny now
adopted by some national and State
officials who think they can do no
wrong.
soon we may be required to write
another declaration of independence
against the propagandist, the emo.
tional and neuratic crank, and hang
high for public contempt the Gov
ernment official who believes he 'cal
do no wrong and takes upon him
self the power of the king which our
Government had destroyed.
I'VE are confronted with what
might be termed Legislative lawleSs
ness which is inspired by the fear
Of political defeats for men. in de-
fiance of the Constitution and our
Bill Of Rights. will vote for the
passage of laws which are unconsti-
tutional for the sole purpose of secur-
ing votes.
Pass II to Courts.
"They seek. to avoid responsibility
themselves by passing the respon.
sibility to the Supreme Court, and
answer a minority clamor by voting
for legislation which they are too
cowardly to combat.
1--WE cannot survive with group