Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-02-20

Cnty come from clLlZenS or groups o.
citizens, or bureaus already In existence.
These seek extension of power and au-
thOrity or attempt to meet condition
which is Objectionable to some precon-
ceived theory of their own, thereby re-
stricting and regulating another citizen
or class of citizens. The police power
habit has become so thoroughly fixed in
human experience that the first thought
which presents itself to many citizens
when some Objectionable incident occurs
is there should be a law passed" to
stop it. We have three classes of citizens
one seeking power and public office, an
other believing IN and advocating the
extension Of police power, and another
believing that the Government can, by
statute, eliminate evils. This makes q
fertile field in which unrestricted. I'M
necessary and dangerous police power
Z can and will thrive If our people do not
awaken to the danger.
In this connection. Herbert Spencer S
"The Coming Slavery" is wonderfully IL
Eliminating (See MAN vs. the State) .
In that essay he sets forth the tremen-
dous growth of the police power in Eng
land, its inroads into the rights or IN
dividuals and he threatened danger. de
shows with startling cle2rness the alarm
ing demand for, and the growth OF, ar
bitrary police powers in the regulation OF
citizens. Among the many pertinent
statements he made are the following:
"A comparatively small body OF oHi-
Gals, coherent. having common interests
and acting under central authority. has
an immense advantage over an ineohereni
public which has no settled policy, and
can be brought to act unitedly only I'M
der strong provOcahan. Hence an or
ganization of officials. once passing a
certain stages of growtt, becomes less
and less reslstible; as we see In the
bureaUcracies Of the continent.
The final result would be a revival
of despotlsm. disciplined army OF
civil officials, like an army Of military
officials, gives supreme power TO It's
head-a power which has often led to
usurpation, as in medieval Europe and
stin more in JaTan-nay, has thus sc
led among our neighbors, within our OWL
times"
The Constitution Of the United State:
vests police powers In the National Gov
ernment-powers which are specifically
provided for and properly limited In the
provisions of the Constitution. The po-
lice power Of the Individual State rests
upon the authority granted by legisla
E
called modern government" and "efici-
ancy In government" has been to get
Sway from original principles and In
wade the rights Of individuals and de-
stroy individualism.
Limitations and reservations OF police
powers are dlsregarded or not recognized
/ by many Of the innumerable bureaus
/ boards and commissions. They seem &c
regard themselves as the infallible In
Perpetrators OF the laws under which
they are supposed to operate. Ths
viewpoint Of the minor official is natur-
ally restricted; Is is biased by self-im
Z portance and dictated by prejudice
against all opposition.
! The spread Of officiaism. whkh main
/ tains itself by forcing upon the genera
! public rules and regulations. which il en-
forces by its self defined police powers
/ is evidenced In the ever increa sing nun
/ Der OF bureaus and commissions witt
/ re delegated legislative and police pow
! ers. Police powers as understood anC
/ granted under the limitations and re-
striction Of the Constitution are ad-
mlttedly necessary to maintain civil
cation. but under the present system OF
self Dissemination of such powers under
re- delegated legislative authority they are
ruinous to the Nation.
Under the guise OF operating for the
good Of the general public. a minority
consisting OF bureaucrats and their ad
herents are endeavoring arbitrarily L
| dominate every phase Of America prl
vate life For centuries a mans home
rights have been considered inyiolable
yet every day we hear OF the invasion o.
private homes for one purpose or another
I al 4 nj
Far from being confined to the splendid
fellow in blue clothing and brass but
tons, police power has broadened and ex
tended into every walk Of life, and Amer
leans are rapidly becoming a regulated
and governed people instead Of q self
governing Nation. Everything and every
body is rapidly being made subject tC
regulation, from birth to burial by po-
lice power under commission administra'
ton, and this regulation and control Il
being rapidly extended. Not satisfied
with the powers of administering fol
the general public, these power hungry
hordes are rapidly encroacbing upon tbs
legal rights and privileges Of the indt-
vidual The bunaucrats application Of
his police power is so broad, that many
times he becomes enraged should any one
oppose him or his rulings and he pro
ceeds to prosecute the individual.
The disposition Of all OF the various
bureaus seems TO be to forget that they
were created for the purpose OF handling
the public welfare and to protect the In
dividual. They become enraged at the
slightest opposition. and make war upon
any one opposing them. SO gradually
and with all the bitterness Of religious
persecution. the bureaucratic officials
armed with their police powers, make
rules and regulations covering the public
in every walk of life.
Tie court Of last resort has in nearly
all cases upheld the rights of the indi-
vidual and defended him from police pow
ers which conlcted with the bill of
rights Of the Constitution. SO now, as
sault is being made upon the constitu-
lions Of the State and National Govern
ment themselves, and wherever the tyr
amy Of the majority has been foiled by
such constitutions, tremendous power is
being brought forth to secure favorable
amendments or a complete revision of
constitutions.
Since the beginning Of time, man has
defended his private home against all IL
legal invasion. and viii continue the
struggle The exercise of police powers
has overstepped its rights and aroused
Il storm Of protests which should con
tinue with even greater vigor, and de-
nand safeguards against this growing