The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1935-06-22
coNGREssMEN BETRAY TRUST

congressman who vote for unconstltu-
tional laws proposed by organized minor
ties simply because "they are too eowardty
to express the opposition their reason and
conscience dictates" betray their public
trust, according to the views of the Ashe-
the minds and conSciences of the voters
in fact. it is at this point we find the key 20
good government. The views of The AdvC-
cate are thus expressed:
A year ago, when the Frazier-Lemke farm
mortgage moratorium bill was passed by Con-
gress various members of that body frankly eX-
pressed the belief that it was unconstitutional.
Nevertheless, many voted for it-Simply because
they felt that they could pass the buck along to
the courts and avoid the possible eensure of con-
stituents, who. ignorant Of the law, favored the
BILL The same thing was true of the NRA and
AAA, and the railroad pension acts. Now the
Supreme Court has thrown out all of those meas
ures, with the exception of the AAA, which mas
not yet come before it for consideration
During the present session of congress- vari-
Gus proposed bills are regarded in the same light
by many senator's and representatives who are
also good lawyers. Grave doubt is expressed as
to the constitutionality of the banking bill, the
holding company bill, the social security bill, and
the Wagner labor disputes bill, all of which by
their unreStrained and sweeping character seem
to infringe upon constitutional safeguards and to
be opposed to principles recently laid down by
the highest court in the land.
How long will the servants of the people who
doubt the constitutionality of measures up for
consideration, continue to vote for them because
they are too cowardy to express the opposition
their reason and conscience dictates?
It is difficult to find adequate words for CEN
surfing that attitude. The duty of every Con-
gresham is this: To abide by his oath of office
to uphold the Constitution of the United States
and to protect and advance the public interest,
in the light of constitutional Interpretation. An
elected official who deliberately, for political
purposes. backs a bill ne believes to be contrary
to the basic law of the nation is a traitor to his
trust-and the voting public should regard
him.
No unfair criticism is leveled at the pres
ent Congress in saying that large pro
portion of its members probably merit the
condemnation voiced by The Advocate
Some of the laws enacted by this Congress
have already been declared unconstitu,
tional; authorities believe that most oil
those that have not come up = to the Su,
preme Court will be so declared when re.
viewed by the court; and in addition tc
the legislation already enacted, Congress
is now engaged in passing batch of law,
equally as radical and dangerous as any
previously enacted.
To say that Congress does not know
whether this legislation is constitutional o.
unconstitutional when it is enacted is tt
place very low estimate on the genera
intelligence and legal information of Con
gressmen. A large majority of the mem
bers of both houses of congress are law
yers. If they do not recognize the tru
character of the legislation that has bee
and is now being enacted, they should SUI
render their license as practieing attorneys
as we'll as their seats in Congress.
The average Congressman is in constar
fear of losing his job and is just rabbi
in the midst of the hounds of special inter
ests and organized minorities. He IS some
thing to be pitied, if one can have any hol
est compassion for public servant VIII
manifests the lack of manhood, characte
and courage displayed by some Congress
men.
However, the country will get nowhel
simply with talk in the consideration (
this problem. What the country must haS
IN Washington is a Congress composed
men of character and courage; who wi
regard their oath of office as sacred ar