Our Representatives in Government A Man Chosen by Others to Act as Their Representative Should Be a Free Agent T HE UNITED STATES is a young nation. We seldom stop to consider, however, that it is the oldest popular government now existing in the world, and that according to some authorities it is the strongest democracy and the one least inclined to change its ways. Proof of the first of these statements can be found in history. For proof of the other two we must examine the organization of the government of the United States which makes it difficult to pass new laws quickly unless unusual circumstances, such as war, demand them. Govern ment action is too slow, we are told. Yet when we see the trouble that comes to impatient nations we must ask ourselves this question: Were not the founders of our country wise when they so framed the Constitution as to make through promptly after it has been introduced, the voters grumble and exclaim: "H-m-m! They're slower than molasses in winter time!" There is too much at stake for a government to act hastily. The Prohibition Amendment is an example of the difficulties in making a law that pleases everyone. Although it was discussed for The True Basis HE United States is THE made up of great cities, of farms, of ranches, of the orange groves of California, of the mills of New England, of the cotton fields of the South and of the wheat fields of the West . . Representatives coming from all parts of the country bring together the public opinion of the Nation. On the basis of that public opinion legislation is passed. our government take stock before passing an important piece of legislation? Of people who act rashly we always say: "Well, you can expect nothing good from them, they are always in hot water!" If plain Mr. Homestead and Miss Flora Loveland elope an hour after being introduced at a suburban dance, all the neighbors murmur: "Marry in haste, repent at leisure.". But if Senator Homestead and Senator Flora Loveland, along with other senators, fail to put a bill many years before it became law, and was passed as the Constitution de crees amendments should be passed, there are still many people who think it unfair and unjust. A large majority of the population should be in favor of laws of this character before they are put into law, otherwise public sentiment will not be strong enough to enforce them. Real progress in government is made step by step; it does not come in a hurry. Laws formed as the result of hasty action are likely to do more harm than good. The difficult problems of democratic government demand the earnest thought of all citizens. Difficulties of Detecting Errors It is often difficult in government to know or to discover what is wrong. Often what appears an evil is not wrong. Again, after one discovers the evil it is still difficult to suggest a remedy. After the World War there was a great public clamor for lower prices. In 1919, the President called a GREAT CONFERENCE OF LABOR AND BUSINESS MEN to Washington to see if a way could not be found to reduce prices. But the task of reducing prices was very great. This task was made harder because a period of unemployment set in. People without work could not buy. Prices, under such conditions, naturally came down of themselves but not in a way that pleased the public or our representatives in Washington. Even if goods are sold at lower prices it hardly can interest THE MAN OUT OF A JOB, or the farmer who, perhaps, receives so little for his crop that it does not PAY HIM TO HARVEST IT. Every citizen knows that shortly after the World War there was a great public demand for lower prices. Politicians especially were demanding that the high cost of living and high prices should come down. The word "profiteer" was on everybody's lips. Often the average citizen seemed to think that a profiteer was everyone else but himself. Few stopped to consider that in periods of high prices work is plentiful, everyone is earning good wages, and there is little real suffering. But when prices come down many find that work is scarce and wages and profits less. Government Must Take Time There is no use telling a man who is out of work that he may buy a shirt today for one dollar and fifty cents which cost three dollars a year ago. Nor would it be wise to praise low prices in the presence of a western farmer who perhaps receives so little for his crop that it hardly pays him to harvest it. The question of high or low prices is one of those just mentioned as being hard to solve. Which is the better? What is the remedy when prices are high? What is to be done when prices are low? Would there have been a bad panic in the United States after the late war if prices had not come down? Now that they are down, how are we to relieve the suffering that the low prices have brought? No one knows. We see then how difficult it is for a government to act wisely and justly toward all its people. It must take time to think before it acts if it is to be strong and wise. Representative Government One reason why the United States is such a stable, strong and sound country is this: It has a representative government. A representative government is one in which the people choose certain of their number to act for them upon public questions. It is carried on by individuals elected by the voters who could not possibly take time away from the business of making their living to study the relative merits of all the complex governmental problems that arise. Representative government in America was first established in Virginia in 1619. Every one of the Thirteen Original Colonies which later formed the United States had representative assemblies, elected by the voters, which had the power to legislate and the power to tax. Legislation in a Small Town In Massachusetts and other New England England States town meetings called together all the citizens of all the towns at certain stated times of the year and passed laws. The people attended these meetings in person, and by personal voting expressed their approval or disapproval on town questions. For small groups this was an excellent way of doing business. Even today this method of legislating is carried on in New England towns, in New York rural districts, in Michigan and elsewhere. The townspeople make their own laws, elect their own officials, make their own appropriations for local improvements, and provide for the raising of their own taxes. For large groups such a method is found difficult. Just as soon as the towns grow into cities the plan weakens; and when states composed of millions of people try the method, it fails altogether. What would happen if it were attempted by the National Government, itself! In small towns all the citizens can get together in one single large room or hall and debate town politics. They can meet, for example, to discuss whether or not they wish to have a new high school, and where that high school should be located. But where can all the people of a state get together? And how can the average voter, without much time for study, solve the complex problems of state and nation? Complex Problems The tariff, the control of the railroads, the organization of the Federal Reserve Bank, the making of a treaty, the drafting of a franchise for a city street railway, unemployment, are questions which require knowledge, training and long study by people who give their whole time to such subjects. Can we, as voters, do better than to elect to office honest, wellqualified men and women who will deal wisely for us with these and other great questions? Former President Wilson has stated: "A people who know their own minds and can get real representatives to express them are a self-governed people." Good government is not so much a question as to which is more democratic, direct or representative legislation, but, rather, which gives the better results. As American Government is run today, the main responsibility of the voter is to elect upright and wise representatives who will act for him. The ultimate and the final power of government in the United States is in the hands of the people, but to a very great extent, and necessarily so, the people must express this power and rule through chosen agents. Representatives or Delegates In a representative democracy the voters pick out a small group of men who will act for the many. A man chosen to act for others, to be a representative, should be a free agent. In other words, he has the right to act as he thinks best in a given situation. He should be subjected to no direct compulsion. At For example, if he is elected to Congress he must bear in mind that it is his duty to act for the good of the whole nation, and not alone for the good of the district from which he comes. times he may have to go against the views held by the majority in his district. Some people feel, however, that a representative must be a delegate; that he must always vote as his particular district dictates; that he is its mouthpiece or sounding board. The distinction between a delegate and a representative is very important. If representatives are to be looked upon as mere mouthpieces, it is very doubtful whether we shall secure big and outstanding men for our legislators. On the other hand, if we keep in mind the idea that our legislators are our representatives we shall probably secure men who think independently and who are willing to take the |