SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1912. AMERICAN POLITICO NOTES, OF THE DAY. ►

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1623, 14 December 1912, Page 4

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1912. AMERICAN POLITICO

NOTES, OF THE DAY. ►

« 4 . American files by the last mail, dispatched just after the' announoement of tho result of the Presidential election campaign, suggest the idea of a muster roll-call after a sanguinary battle. So many issues vrero involved in the election that the New York Evening I'ost published an editorial symposium 'of ten , articles the evening after. The unexpected extent of Governor Wilson's victory produced, of couvec, a profound impression upon the nation. It was Moeley who said that on the obverse of a badge "For merit," should be displayed the further acknowledgment "And for luck." The New York Post ob- , serves, apropos, that "Wilson's luck was that he faced a Republican party torn in two; his merit was that he had the political ability and the force of character to take full advantage of the division of forces against him." The result was a "sobering triumph," and, amongst other things, made an end of the "disgraceful obsession" in regard to the protective. tariff that the States ■ "had nothing between it and panic and ruin but a few .beggarly percentages of difference in tariff schedules.' . This accomplishment is set down as first in the great gains of Wilson's victory. Another issue in the fight was the Tammany system, and, unfortunately, anti-Tammany received no encouragement from the result of the election. In only three up-State counties 'Were there distinct anti-Tammany victories at the direct primaries. The State of Albany has a Tammany Governor, every Senator from New York City is an out-and-out Tammany supporter, and tW "Mtjrphy Control" of the State is immensely strengthened.

"If," commented the journal, "there is to be a Tammany orgy at Albany this winter, with loss than fifty Republicans to protest in the Assembly, the result will inevitably be a Stnte-wido reaction against ,tho Democracy in State a.nd nation. Whether the Governor-elect has the brains to understand this; whether he ennbreak from his Tammany past and prove himself master of those associates and associations which havo heretofore mastered Mm, the next few months will speedily make olear."

In the reaction of public sentiment after the strain of party oonflict, a good deal of sympathy has been extended to Mr. Taft, a sympathy probably as much inspired by the political treachery of Mn. Eoosevelt - in splitting the Republican vote as by the genial urbanity which pervades the personality of the defeated President. But, to again quote: "He brought his fate upon himself. When in 1908 he allowed Theodore Hoosevelt to force him upon the Republican party and the country as President, he put his official life at the mercy of one man. Placed in the White House by grace of Theodore Roosevelt, he is now expelled from it chiefly by Theodore Roosevelt's revenge. As for tho Progressives—tho ttqoMVoUiiim supporters—it is admitted that the

new party stood the test of the election in a way that assures it "a, serious part in the coming quadrennium of American polities, and has become for the time being "a power in the nation."

"The Progressive platform," states tho "Post," "consists in lni'tfo part of expressions of support for movements of social amelioration which had already been gaining considerable headway, winch in no inconsiderable measure had been quietly promoted by Mr. Tai't himself, which the natural gravitation of events was accelerating, and to which Mr. Wilson, n<s Governor of New Jersey, had effectively shown his helpfulness. That these movements will bo further ossisted and advanced by tho Wilson Administration nnd tho Democratic Congress there can be little doubt. They will not 1» pushed in iust the way advocated by Mr. Roosevelt; that sacrifice of our historic Constitutionill system which is central in tho Roosevelt a'gitation, whether explicitly avowed or not, will not bo inado by Wilson and the Democrats, But it may bo predicted with little hesitation that the appeal of-tho Progressive programme us it stands, already largely factitious, will have ils slmrplK-ss sadly dulled in the course of tho next few yca.rs. And tho crucial question is, what will Mr. Roosevelt do about it?" The Democratic party, as tho result of tho election, haß won tho Presidency, scorcd a tremendous majority in the House of Representatives, and, it is predicted, will also have a safe margin in tho Senate if present indications are borne out, In its, past sucoess at the elections, going back some 60' years, tho Democratic party has entered into office under the most unfortunate, and, as they proved to be, the most hopeless auspices. In 1885, when GnovEß Cleveland was first inaugurated, the country had not recovered from the after-effects of the panic of tho year before; Pkesident Buchanan assumed office just, a month or so before the great business panic of 1857. Again, in 1893, at Cleveland's second inauguration, a financial panic a cataclysmal kind was already beginning. Each of these crises sprang from causes which were not confined to America —they were _ world wide — but cach, in the United States, imposed by its coincidence, a fatal handicap upon a party from which progress and reform in various ways was expected. AVith the Republicans, the Fates have certainly been more propitious. With the inauguration of President Wilson, the Democratic party will begin its career in office during a period of prosperity, and will thus have a reasonable opportunity of "making good," as they say in America. .

A fortnight ago extracts from recent English papers were published in The Dominion giving the ,views of three very distinguished modern thinkers (Dr. -James Ward, M. Henri Berg-son, and Dr. Euoken), which went to' show that the trend of the best present-day thought is against the mechanical and in favour of the spiritual interpretation of the universe. We mentioned at the time that the almost simultaneous appearance of statements regarding the opinions of three such great authorities on these questions was c(uite a remarkablo coincidence. The last English mail brings still another testimony in the same direction by a leading French scholar. M. Emile Bouteoux, Professor of Modern Philosophy at the University of Paris, wlio has ,iust had the honour of being elected a member of the French Academy. In a review of his latest book, it is stated that M. Boutroux contends that the attempts to create a morality independent of religion exhibits no true view of their real relations. He declares that religion justifies itself by its action on life._ From it proceed, "as from a life-giving and creative principle, those ideal conceptions. of human destiny, those generous enthusiasms, those, impetuous yearnings after what is unknown, those strong and tireless energies in pursuit of a human perfection which uplifts humanity, and urge it to_ endless strife with'things and with itself." The reviewer states that "it' ia profoundly significant to note in these lectures, as elsewhere in his writings, tho turn which the modern French mind., as represented by so brilliant and cultured an exponent, is taking towards thevsubjccts of morality and religion. It is a turn like that of Bucken and . Bergson agninst materialism. Wo liavo here one of the best-trained minds speaking to the best-trained minds. But as' the glaciers form on the peak ajid send their wators thence down, to the valleys, eo discussions such' as these will fitter down through popular intermediaries till they reach ana carry ,tho minds of the multitude below." M. Boutroux is the author of several other works, including The Idea of Natural Lath in Science and Philosophy arid Science and Religion in Contemporary Philosophy. The question of running the city tramcars on Christmas Day appears to bo creating a quite unnecessary amount of controversy. Everyone would, of course, like to see everyone else in enjoyment of a full holiday on Christmas Day; but everyone knows that this is not possible. The most that can be done is to reduoo work on Christmas Day to a reasonable minimum. Trains will run on a reduced time-table; ferry steamers-will meet the needs of seaside residents and their friends; and it is equally necessary that a certain number of tramcars should run to meet the convenience of the travelling public; particularly those who have to catch or are arriving by trains and steamers. As many of the tramway employees a& possible will, no doubt, be freed for the day; and those who have to work will, of course, reoeiva the compensation provided for. There are certain forma of employment which necessarily prevent tnose engaged in them from noliday-making with the rest of tho world, and amongst the number are tho workers on tho tramways. They, however, have their compensations.

Home Rule for Ireland, as expressed in the legislation which is at present under debate in the British House of Commons, does not. of course, mean the kind of selfgovernment enioyed by the' oversea dominions of the Empire. Whether it should, or should not, was a Suestion raised in the Houea by the ;t. ,Hon. A. J. Balfour during a recent debate on the Homo Rule Bill. If, v ho remarked, Ireland must have Home Rule, ho was not sure that full colonial self-government would not bo better than the Government's scheme. The same proposition was presented .by Sir Edward Carson in more emphatic terms. "Were tho question put to me," lie said, "'You must have Home Iiulo: which will you prefer, this Bill or a Bill which will leavo them to work out tlioir own destinies in their own wnv without this danger of friction and without this kind of hybrid monster which has nercr appeared in any other' Constitution sineo history wm written V 1 would my, 'For , H«ev yob's oaka, lot ua oleea ths chapter

nml stop all cliance of irritation between the two countries.'" Only Sin Edwakd Carson himself can answer the question whether he was indulging in hypothetical argument, or presenting a tentativo compromise. But that there would bo a hotter means of appeal to the Imperialism of an Irish people constituted under a system of selfgovornmout similar to that under which the dominions have prospered, than to a half-fettered oountry as Ireland would be under the present Homo Rule Bill, is beyona question.

The Government have made an excellent selection in the appointment of the Commissioners to inquire into the working of the Public Trust Office. Mr. A. MacIstosh, who is at present Superintendent of Messrs. Dalgety and Co.'s extensive New Zealand business, waa at ono time general manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and .has a wido experience in financial and investment business. Mil. Hosking, K. 0., of 'Dunedin, also is especially well qualified to investigate the affairs of an institution concerned so largely with investment and kpal matters. The report of such a jCommission is likely to be a very valuable one. The business of the Public Trust Office has grown to very large dimensions. The trust, moneys now placed with it run into millions of pounds, and it is very desirable that an overhaul of this Department of the State should be made in order to ascertain whether the funds and other business are being handled to the best advantage.

One of the dangers of the present Bible-in-schools controversy is the confusion of • issues in thq Btrifo of parties, and the possibility of the will of the people as a whole being lost sight of in the efforts of the two rival leagues to monopolise the field. As a matter of fact the great body of the people of New Zealand do not belong to either of the fighting organisations.. It is quite probable that they may agree with the Bible-in-schools advocates in their desire for statutory facilities to .enable representatives of .the churches to give religious instruction in school hours to the children whose parents so desire, and may support the Defence League in its opposition to a Bible text book being placed in the_ hands of the State teachers. This_ shows the vital necessity of keeping the two issues quite clear so that the real mind of the people may be unmistakably ascertained. Of course, it is much easier to run these two distinct proposals into one another, and then shout as loudly as poasible for or against the confused amalgamation. ■ The Nelson principle is one of the essential features of the Bible-in-schools programme, but there seems a strange unwillingness on the part of the Defence league to make a definite declaration of .its views on this point, though we understand the Nelson system has had in the past the warm support of our evening contemporary, which may be taken as the local mouthpiece of the De.fence League. The Post is now vehemently calling upon the Prime Minister to put his foot on I the Bible-in-schools movement without further delay by definitely refusing a referendum. This would be one man government with a vengeance. It is said that if he doea not he will betray his trust as guardian of the schools. But he is only guardian of the schools on behalf of the democracy, and it is ridiculous to say that he would betray his trust by giving the people a direct opportunity of deciding the. question themselves, provided it can be shown that a substantial portion of the community ia in favour of such a course. Our contemporary etates that the minority'is often able to get the ear of politicians, and thus sxercise a power out of proportion to its numbers. Now, this ia precisely what we want to guard ugainst, and surely the best way to avoid it is to ascertain the exact numbers by means of a referendum. Mb. Hassey is not the man wo take him to be if he allows himself to be hustled or bullied by excited partisans; What he has to consider is the wishes of the whole population, and he would bo extremely unwise to commit the Government until each side has had the fullest opportunity of laying its case before him. Decision in haste too often involves repentance at leisure.

The Coroner's inquiry into the drowning of the unfortunate- lad Joitnnax at the. Tβ Aro Baths appears to have been of 'a somewhat perfunctory character. It seems to nave been taken for granted' that the boy walked into the water, got out of his depth, and was drowned: and the Coroner remarked that "Any man might get into the baths in a crowd like that and not .bo missed." It is true, of ooursc, that a, man or boy might not be missed in a crowd of 300 or 400 bathers; but it is a very remarkable thing that a boy could drown within the limited dpaoe enclosed by the baths without anyone of the hundredspresent witnessing his struggles. That is assuming, of course, that he did walk in and get out of his-depth as was suggested. It is possible, however, that ho did not walk in; but that he met with an accident in diving, or in sliding down the waterchute, which may have dazed or stunned him, and so prevented him making any struggle lor life. This would help to account for the" fact that no ono appears to have seen' him struggling in the wafer. It seems to us that fche Coroner might well have had the body examined by a medical man, and he might also have made some inquiry as to the possibility of accidents occurring through the water-chute not being placed in a position to ensure that there is s a sufficient depth of water for its safo use at low tide. We do not know that such is the case, but where a fatality of this nature occurs in_broad daylight, at a public bath with hundreds of people present, it is surely desirablo that no reasonable effort should be spared to clear up as far as possible the cause of the accident in order that steps may be taken to prevent a , recurrence. Wo should not like it to be thought that in expressing this opinion wo cast any blame on the caretaker of the baths, who, we believe to bo a careful and conscientious official.