The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-12-21
The Pulse of the Nation

sumo, the Chattanooga News (Dem.(
inquiries, that the people are in a
passion when they decide upon
change in their government? Is it
conceived to be impossible that they
might proceed deliberately about
it?" The assumption that long pc
Rod should elapse before new men
take their seats Sin order that pas
sions may subside." the New York
Gail (Soc.) declares, lis in conflict
with the theory Of popular con-
troll
Indeed the system can be and has
been made to work in direct con-
flict with popular demand, it is
pointed out. Sometimes" says the
Detroit News Qnd), despite an
overwhelming popular reputation,
congress proceeds to enact the very
measures advocacy of which caused
it's defeat" In fact there is al
ways the incentive to the repudiated
party" the Newark News Qnd.),
adds, ITO make all the political hay
possible" and ito put upon the
statute books as many measures in
line with the policies of the outgoing
party as possible, despite the fact
that the people are determined to
retire it, There is a widespread
consciousness that such delay is
dangerous" indeed, TO the Boston
Globe Gnd.), almost suicidal"
But the progressive bloc" in the
opinion Of the Pittsburgh Gazette
Times (Rep.) has spoiled a merit
orious proposition by including with
it the abolition OF the ELECTORAL col
lege," a position which the Louis
Vile Courier Journal DemD, and
others support Every effort to
stir up popular opposition to our in
genious constitutional method OF
electing presidents, which has so
bravely stood every test, has been
futile and barren and the guess"
of the Syracuse Herald Qnd) lis
that the Norris proposal will go the
way of hundreds of others of the
same import" While the Norris
proposal was at first interpreted as
contemplating the direct election OF
the president by popular vote in the
mass, it has since been explained
that that is not the idea. AS the
Philadelphia Bulletin 1nd. RepD
gives it. the reform aims to accom-
plish nothing more radical than to
eliminate the presidential electors.
Each state would cast its vote for
President and vice president, instead
of for as many electors as there are
representatives in congress plus the
two senator's" But the Bulletin is.
convinced that the general public
will see in this proposal practically
no difference or distinction, certain
~ none to justify constitutional
amendment" The Durham Sun
0nd.) finds it another form OF the
popular vote myth" in which the
practice sought is still the domino
ton by minority" AS the Grand
Rapids Herald (Rep.) explains it,
throwing the election into the house
of representatives would take the
White House farther from the peo-
Pile" not bring it closer
But 1.-THE whole tendency OF gov
ernmentaI thought in this country,
saws the Asheville Times Qnd)'
has been in the direction of popu-
lar election of all officials who are
not appointed" and, continues the
Christian Science Monitor una!
along the same line, ''as system OF
registering the will Of the people
the electoral college is a device
which is today open to very 1usu-
fable criticism" The Duluth Her
aid Und.) declares it to be AN
empty survival of a thought Of the
fathers that never worked out" and
at would be no great change If the
fiction were removed and what is
actually the fact were made legally
and formally the fact" Why re-
tain this cumbrous and Anticipated
piece Of machinery" asks the Buff
falo News CRep,) there is no good
reason why the president and the
vice president should not be elected
ny the direct vote of the people"