davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22

tury ago, 1.-THE greatest tyr
amy has the smallest begin
nings. From presidents over
looked springs the tyran-
nical usage which generations
OF wise and good men may
hereafter perceive and lament
and resist in vain. Let it
alone and it stands on record.
The country has allowed it
and when it is at last provoked
to a late indignation it finds
itself gagged with the record
Of its own i'll compulsion."
Were The Evening Star to
sponsor a clear presentation
of just who pays for what in
this public power business as
suggested in my earlier letter,
the American Public Power
Association could probably
best present the case for pub
lie power. An equally compe-
tent organization could be
found to present the opposite
case. I would hope that the
press could provide. as public
defender, one of its acute and
analytical inquirers. not nee
essarily a specialist in the
field. who would not be gulled
by misinterpreted statistics
and who could adequately
question partial presentations.
Charles ID. Curran.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
OFF the Beam

Harvey O'Connor, whose conviction
for contempt of Congress has been set
aside by the United States Court of
Appeals, applaudS the ruling on two
grounds. Mr.. O'Connor, 59-year-old au-
thor, says he is delighted that it is now
possible for an American citizen to have
contempt for Joe Mccarthy without
having to 60 to JAIL He also says that
the ruling is blow to Senator McCarthy's
pretensions that Government bureau
crat has right to investigate citizens
politicS-to pry into his mind.
This is the Sheerest nonsense. There
has never been any question as to the
right Of any citizen to have contempt for
Senator Mccarthy without going to Jail.
Millions have held him in contempt and
have never seen the inside of Jail. Nor
does the ruling have the slightest thing
to do with any power or lack of power,
bureaucratic or otherwise, to pry into
anyone'S mind.
What the court actually held was
that OConnor could not be convicted Of
contempt for refusing to tell the Nc
earthly subcommittee whether he was "a
member of the Communist conspiracy"
when he wrote certain books which were
purchased by the State Department and
distributed in United States Information
Centers. OF this, the court said: Zone
cannot be held guilty of criminal con-
tempt for refusing to answer a question
the intended scope of which is so uncer-
tain that If he attempts to answer it
truthfully, according to his understand
ing of the meaning, he runs the risk Of
being indicted for perjury because others
understand it differently"
This is not new law. 1t is merely a
reaf1rmation of well-established and,
we think, necessary principle-necessary
because it safeguards citizens from pos
sible perjury prosecutions for giving
answers which they understood to be and
believed to be truthful.
The really interesting aspect of the
decision is that the court did not pass on
O'Connor's contention. that he was pro-
tected by the First Ariendment-the free
speech amendment. It was not necessary
to rule on this and the judges, adhering
to customary practice, refrained from
doing so. One Of these days, however, a
case may arise in which this defense will
have to be met and ruled upon, and if
this happens the result will be very
interesting indeed.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
'DeodIiest Month

The District Commissioners can cite
grim statistics in support of their warn
ing to motorists that they are in a par
ticularly dangerous part of the "deadliest
month of the year." from traff1c stand
point. Last year 1000 men, women and
children were slaughtered on the Nations
streets and highways during the season
OF good will among men," Only an
uncommon amount of caution and COM
mon sense on the part of those who drive
will prevent full-scale repetition of this
tragic phase of the holiday observance.
Safety authorities blame preoccupa-
ton with Christmas and New Year plans
for many of the holiday deaths. In the
hurry to complete shopping and make
arrangements, both motorists and pedes-
TRANS are inclined to take grave chances
with their lives. This year-end period is
made more dangerous than usual by the
threat of slippery streets and poor visi-
bility. And, all too often, the "cheer" of
holiday celebrants on the public streets
is of the alcoholic variety-another factor
contributing to the fatalities and injuries
which annually mar the holidays.
Police and traffic officials are doing a
coed job of trying to reduce the number
of accidents on Washington's busy streets
this holiday season. So are prosecutors
and judges, who already have put num-
Der Of reckless drivers out of circulation
for the next few weeks. But the main
responsibility for saving lives rests with
those who have been given the privilege
OF operating cars on the public streets.
This is heavy responsibility, which some
drivers take much too lightly. 1t is too
late to awaken to this responsibility when
a speeding car has started to skid or is
otherwise out of control and headed for
a smashup.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
Pageant of Peace

In the hurly-burly of last-minute
Christmas shopping, it is gratifying that
the Nations Capital has not lost touch
with the deeper, spiritual aspects of the
Yuletide. The opening by President
Eisenhower of the third annual Pageant
OF Peace on the EllipSe was an inspira-
tional experience for all who witnessed it,
either by their presence at the tree
lighting ceremony or through the media
OF radio and television. For the pageant
and its series of seasonal concerts and
services symbolic dramatically, for all
the world to see, Americas devotion to
the cause Of peace and good will among
men.
This is the true spirit Of Christmas,
as the President stressed in his speech.
1t is, he said, the season of happiness and
hope-happiness for those of us fortunate
enough to enjoy the blessings Of a free
and prosperous country, hope for those
who still struggle to attain those bless
ings. 1t was timely, therefore, for him to
remind us, amid our preparations for the
holidays, Of the plight of "our neighbors
in Hungary" who, bravely hopeful, need
our material and moral support this
ChristmaStime
Those Of us who are busy with the
material phases of Christmas-the buying
and selling Of gifts and the countless
other tasks of the holiday-would find a
visit to the pageant heart-warming and
resuscitating interlude in our current
activities.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
THE POLITICAL MILL
By GOULD LINCOLN
Electoral College Debate Flares Aqoin

provisions Of the Constitution
as they relate to the election
Of President and Vice Presi-
dent. Indeed. changes have
been made from time to time.
But nothing has been done
about the electoral college and
the right Of individual electors
to vote for any candidate they
wish. The closest that any pro-
posal dealing with the electoral
vote has come to action was
several years ago when the
Senate adopted by the neces-
sary two-thirds majority the
Lodge : Gossett amendment.
This amendment would have
continued the electoral vote
system, but would have given
presidential candidates a pro-
portional electoral vote. ac-
cording to their popular votes.
in each State. AS the-Consti-
tuition now stands. the entire
electoral vote of a State goes
to the candidate who has a
majority or a plurality of the
popular vote. The House, how
ever, turned its back on the
proposed amendment.
Change Seems Unlikely
While Senators and Repre-
sentatives agree that some
thing should be done about
this system Of electing a Pres
ident, there are disagreements
among them. So much so. the
likelihood Of a constitutional
amendment, necessary to eff
feet a change, seems remote.
And If Congress does come up
with a proposed amendment.
with two-thirds of the mem
bers Of each house concurring.
it still will have to be sub
mitted to the States for :ssln-
cation. 1t requires the approval
Of three-fourths of the 48
States for final ratification.
The present electoral COL
lege system has been attacked
on the ground that it permits
the election of a President who
does not have majority support
in the total vote Of the people,
To illustrate, Rutherford B.
Hayes. Republican, in 1875
was finally declared elected
over Samuel j. Tilden, Demo-
crat, although the latter had
some 225.000 more popular
votes; in 1888, Benjamin Har-
rison, Republican, won over
Grover Cleveland, Democrat.
although Cleveland ran ahead
in popular vote by some $4,000:
Woodrow Wilson, Democrat.
was elected over William How
ard Taft, Republican, and
Theodore Roosevelt, Progress
sive. in 1912. with a minority
Of the total popular vote, and
the same thing happened in
1948 when Harry S. Truman
won with a minority of the
popular vote over Dewey,
Thurmond and Wallace.
Some of the critics of the
present system wish to go to
a direct election of Presidents.
Others want the electoral
vote system amended.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
Correct Quotation

At this time of the year the
phrase good will toward men"
is repeated and bruited about
over and over again.
I submit that it is without
meaning. This phrase is a
part Of an angelic proclama-
ton. Are we to suppose that
the angels, who are perfect
spirits, ever have anything
other than good will toward
men?
The proclamation correctly
quoted is filled with meaning
and promise: GLORY to God
in the highest. and on earth
peace to men of good will"
c, j. NeSSer.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
THIS AND THAT
BY Charles E. TRACEWELL

to get quite a kick out Of do
ing so.
1t will take the bread in its
almost human hands, and eat
away.
1t also likes meat cut In
small pieces. Hamburger is
good food for it.
Both bread and meat will
be eaten at the same time.
but the 'possum will eat the
bread first, thank you, as IL
knowing that bread will fatten
1t better and quicker than the
meat. This must be elemental
knowledge of some kind.
Opossums seem to like to
live close to human dwellings.
This is strange, in view Of
the popular attitude toward
them. both on the part Of
people ana dogs.
Yet the 'possums amble
around in daylight, upon &C.
casion. They will come TO
back porches at dusk, and are
not too alarmed when the
door is opened.
They climb into bird feed
ing stations, and probably eat
sunfiower seed, If hungry.
They will wait patiently
while the window is raised and
a slice Of bread is handed out.
To watch one of these ami
mails take the bread In its
paws is something out Of this
world.
Except for the raccoon, there
no more American animal.
The opossum may strike an
observer as odd, the first time
he sees ii. but on later inspec-
ton 1t viii seem 70 be Just
right in every respect. even
that long. naked. prehensile
tail.
"PrehenSile" means adapted
for seizing or grasping. The
monkey tail Is usually held up
as the supreme example OF
this. but the opossum's tail
will serve, too.
The clever forepaws, the tail,
and somewhat sad but beauti-
ful dark eyes. in the white
face, distinguish this animal
from all others. Still, some
suburbanites, on first diScov-
cry, Immediately cry rat" and
act accordingly. This Is a mis-
take. The marsupials don't
even have a nodding acquaint-
ance with rodents. Suburban
dwellers should realize that In
the occasional opossum they
have one Of the true charms
OF their community. Anybody
can have . station wagon. but
not everybody can boast . real
lpossum on his land.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22

When w. F. Turner, q
Montgomery (Ala) account
ant. cast his presidential cleo
tor vote for Circuit Judge
Walter B. Jones. also of Mont
gomery, despite the fact Adlai
Stevenson carried Alabama
with a lead of $4,000 votes
over President Eisenhower,
Turner set in motion further
argument for q change in the
constitutional process of elect
ing Presidents and Vice Presi-
dents of the United States.
The Constitution. as it stands
today and stood in the begin
ming, leaves presidential cleo
tors-members of the electo-
raj college so-called-free to
vote for anyone they choose
for President and for Vice
President.
Turner's refusal to 60 along
with the popular vote Of his
State for Stevenson had no
real effect on the reelection
of President Eisenhower and
Vice President Nixon. Turner
voted for Gov. and Senator
elect Herman Talmadge of
Georgia for Vice President in
place Of Senator Estes Kefau-
yer Of Tennessee. The only
change 1t brought about was
to reduce Stevenson's electoral
vote and that of Kefauver by
one. The Eisenhower ticket
received 457 electoral votes,
the Stevenson ticket 70, and
Jones /.
Election Upset a Possibility
However, d Eisenhower
received 265 votes and had
Stevenson been entitled to 266,
the desertion of Turner from
the Stevenson ticket would
have thrown the election of
President into the House of
Representatives. And if Tur-
ner. instead of voting for q
third party, had gone all the
way over and voted for Eli
senhower - Eisenhower would
have been elected President
instead Of Stevenson. Under
the Constitution, a presiden-
tial candidate must receive a
majority Of the electoral votes
or 266-to be elected.
Turner, it is evident, was
actuated by an intense dislike
of the stand taken by Steven
son and Kefauver in support
of carrying out the Supreme
Courts decision outlawing seq
regated public schools. For he
gave as his reason for voting
for Jones that he was acting in
the interest of the white peo-
pie Of Alabama" In a close
presidential election, this or
some similar emotional ques-
ton might in the future in
fiuence other presidential cleo
tors to upset entirely the
election of a President or Vice
President, or both
The members of Congress,
both Senators and Representa-
tives. have in the past debated
various proposals to amend
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
BETHESDA. Md.


Dear Sir:
II have found my little boy,
aged 8 years, playing with an
opossum in the woods nearby,
and I wonder If there is any
harm in it.
1.-THE animal seems to be
friendly enough, but do you
think it would attack Billie?
1T is real cute to watch them
play together. The 'possum
seems to be living in a big
tree. and is very fat. but comes
down whenever my boy whistles
nearby.
Il asked Billie If he had
trained the 'possum, but he
said he hadn't, that it came
down the tree the very first
time he whistled, and comes
down every time since.
i gave him an apple to give
10 Johnny, as he calls the
'possum. but 1t will not eat it.
What should we give it for
food?
IF you think there is any
danger in this odd friendship,
] would like to know. II not.
! think / will let it continue.
Sincerely, M. J. L."
The American opossum is q
friendly small beast.
1t will not bite, except under
great provocation, preferring
to go into its trance popularity
known as playing 'possum.
II picked up, when appar-
emily dead, it may struggle ano
hiss.
II the boy is cautioned
against making any too sud-
den movements. and especially
against trying 10 hold the ami
NAL against its will, there
should be no harm in such :
friendship.
The real possibility Of dan
ger might come If the opossum
we're Ill in any way. and thus
would be more peevish, Just
as a human might be under
similar circumstances.
The probability is that the
creature Is fattening itself up
for winter, and with the APP
pearance OF the first real cold
spell Will take TO the tree. curl
up. and remain there in some
followed out crotch until
spring comes UP this way
again.
Often there are hollow
places In trees. especially the
locusts, which are not to be
seen from below.
Such q place, though not
completely covered over, Is
enough protection for one Of
these different animals.
The Virginia opossum, as Il
is sometimes called. is a mar
supial. The female has a
pouch 70 which the young are
transferred Immediately after
birth. After the little ones
grow up a bit. they spring 10
the mothers back. at the first
sign Of danger, and ride along
with her 50. Old drawings
show the young with their
tails twined around the moth
er's. Whistler this Is authentic
we do not know. II makes a
charming picture.
The opossum Is. in the
main. a perfectly harmless
animal.
II will take q slice Of bread
from your hand. and ssems
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
Literary Decline

Randall Jarrell's criticisms
of literary and artistic tastes
of the modern age are
thought-provoking and strike
a responsive note in this cor
respondent.
His views on modern writ
ing mot literature, as he so
truthfully says) are particu-
larly apt. did not hear his
lecture, but / hope he also
noted the passing of: the in
formal essay: the delightful,
rambling sort of novels for
which Dickens and Thackeray
were so deservedly loved by
their reading public; and the
particularly deep and impor-
tant poetry for which the 10Th
century was noted.
Like Mr.. FARRELL, 1 deplore
the way that the readers of
today are being won over by
mere smartness and a sort of
literary exhibitionism which
produces these light, bright
and oh so right little gems Of
wisdom which sparkle like so
many cold and flawless dia-
monds. ! also mourn the pass
ing of the study Of English
literature in our schools, and
I have long wondered when, il
ever, the parents will demand
that their children be taught
about the great writings of the
past and learn to love these
grand old writer's, who, as Mr..
FARRELL observed. are truly in
danger Of finally being for
gotten.
In all fairness. / rather re-
sented his remarks about the
Readers Digest. I don't think
they should be blamed for
publishing what the public
wants; rather / think that
forces Of the modern super
sonic age have led the empha-
sis away from the enjoyment
Of literature. The Readers Di-
gest has in my opinion offered
a better-than-average literary
diet to a section Of the public
which probably would never
read anything but the daily
papers If something concise
and well organized were not
offered them. But the tragedy
Is that the magazines which
used to form and guide the
literary taste OF this country
are dying for lack Of public
support and we are too busy
with modern trinkets, includ-
ing high-fidelity record play
ers. to even notice their pass
ing.
Mrs. Louise b. Thomas.
Brandywine, Md.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
To Mrs. St. Nicholas
ION Christmos Nominal

Put the coffee on to bod.
Cold 10 comfort. frost 20 foil:
Fetch the shabby. crimson
slippers.
That the tired Prince Of
Shippers.
Be not long alloged 10 feel
Nothing pyickiing IN his heel,
Let a grace Of thanks be said,
That a gentleman m red.
To the ciotCiEo FIRE burning
IN your heart. q noiD re-
turning,
Anna Blackwell Poyns 4
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22

q. What does the average
family spend for toys IN a
YEAR, m X.
A. TOY business 10 non bsg
business---since an average Of
about va per family ia spent
annually. About half the toys
bought are for children In the
two 70 six sge-grOup. TIE
average family buys eight or
nine toys . year. and the
average child Eess six toys 81
ChTistmastime.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
Stirred by 'PubIius'

PuDlluS lengthy comments
on legal aspects of citizens
rights, and the securing of
rightful blessings to them
selves, is worthy of some reply.
No doubt several will be made,
including one from Hamilton
himself, protesting use of his
nom de plume under such an
expression of attitude.
The basic argument seems
to be that. since only the Con-
gress is mentioned as having
authority to enforce the Four
tenth Amendment, and since
the Congress has failed to act,
then no enforcement is possi-
BILE. For all I know, this argu-
ment may be sound from a
legal standpoint, although be-
fore reaching my own conclu-
Sions I would like to hear a
lawyers argument on the OPP
poSite view, which doubtless
can be made quite convincing
too.
But his argument must in
the end be rejected, for Pub
Illus fails to recognize that
the Constitution, beyond its
written form, lives in the
hearts. minds. and attitudes of
the citizens, who expect that
constitutional rights will be
secured to them regardless of
such legalistic debate as he
raises, and regardless of which
branch of the Government
through which it may be ex-
pedient to act.
The court is in fact engaged
in adjudicating a case involv-
ing constitutional rights of cit
liens. Those who oppose the
courts conclusion have a right
to use all orderly and proper
means of opposition; everyone.
opposed or favoring the courts
conclusions, should expect the
use OF diSorderly or improper
means to be duly suppressed,
whether by action of the legis-
lative, executive or judicial
branches. And surely Publius
will not contend that those
charged with disorderly or inn
proper opposition viii not have
recourse, and by due process.
to argue the propriety and
orderliness of their activities.
The bias which Publius holds
is implicit in his historical in
PRODUCTION, which fails TO mem
ton a well-known legislative
tyranny. that OF the National
Assembly in the time OF Robes
pierre. Those who are keenIy
concerned with maintaining
the delicate balance between
executive, legislative and iu.
dieial tyrannies could not for
get to mention a fourth tyr
amy as well, the tyranny Of
the majority. Witness the in
famous act Of informing citi-
zens Of japanese ancestry
where stood the Congress, and
where stood the court and
executive then, TO insure con-
stitutional rights? Where stood
Publius?
T. Mari HemphilI.
We want to thank you for
publishing the scholarly let
ter from a Washington con-
stitutional lawyer signing him
self Publius.
Ane information contained
In this letter Is vital TO the
survival Of individual freedom
and constitutional government
itself. Our incredibly big Gov
eminent has already tres
passed against the people
more than many realize.
We are all In this boat to-
gether. II those VINO bore
holes in the stern Of the ship
Of state would only sink them
selves, II would be small loss.
but unhsppily they viii also
surely sink the bow where
once rode q proud. sovereign,
but too trusting people.
NJ ID. Leetch,
Secretary. American coaleion.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
LETTERS TO. TIE STAR

Pen names may be used u
letters carry tDriterS correct
names and addresses. All
letters are subject to conden-
Sdtton.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-12-22
Questions and Answers
By THE HAsKTN SERVICE

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