Evening Star Newspaper, January 2, 1921, Page 65

N + 9 1 E'S an entertainin' skate, our A Mr. Piddie; that s, when he l ain't a pest. And sometimes RS he's a little of both. Course, he bas his useful points, or he wouldn't have held down his job as 'oMieé manager for the Corrugated Trist all these years. He's a reg’lar watchdog on the expense account, and | 1 expect he gets as much work out of ,that battery of flossy lady typists and -4 ourveollection of bond room sports as iy firm could ask for, but somehow | ofother he's always in a stew over it. Y . \+ «+Also, he's a great one to work up suspicions. Say, a bookkeeper can't | use the ink eradicator on a blot, or one of the force get a phone call, but what he'll figure out a poseible em- beszslement case or a scheme to play the market on inside dope. And the way he glares up and down that line of key pounders you might think they was a bunch of female bolshevists, in- stead of so many rattle-headed gum yankers. So, when he sidles sleuthly up to my desk one day. with his brow all wrinkled and a worried squint in his eyes. I don’t get much excited. i “Well, Piddie,” says I, "what's wrong with you now ™" “Look™ says he, slippin’ a sheet of paper in front of me. “What do you make of that, Torchy ?* “Eh?* says I glancin® at it, casual. “All I can see is a string of figures and punctuation marks, just jumbled together careless. Looks to me like some amateur had been monkeyin' with a_typewriter, or else a stray pianist had been tryin’ to play a tune on it” He shakes his head solemn. *No,” says he. “I believe it is a message of some sort. “You do?" eays I. “Then you've got a hectic imagination, Tl tell the grand jury. What's this word, for in- stance—'32@437 ™ “I don’t know, I'm sure,” says Pid- die. *“Tt is probably written in a se- cret code.” ? “Tt's a secret. all right,” says I. “Sav. Piddie, where do you get ideas like that? ' Whatever gave you a hunch that this senseless scrambled line could be 2 message”" “Because this is the third time it has | appeared,” says he. “Whaddye mean, appeared™’ says T. “Precisely that—appeared.” savs he. “Once pinned to my desk blotter. another time hunz on my supply order hook, and this one I found tucked into the pocket of my office coat. It was put there this moon. while T was out to luncheon. Every one the same. I call that mysterious, Torchy.”™ “Yes, you would,” says T. “I am certain there's something back of all this” he insists. “Sure” says I “Somebody's using you as a waste basket. Ain't consult- ed Ouija yet, have you “If this occurs again” says he, “T shall certainly take steps to get to the bottom of it “Going down!" I sings out. joshin" “Say, you're a wonder, you are, die.” But when he gets on the trail of! anything like that there's mo jarrin’ him loose. For two or three days T saw him sleuthin’ around the general offices, pipin’ off the bond room force from behind a pillar, tiptoein’ back of the stenogs when thev was busv and even lunchin’ on sandwiches and an apple so he shouldn’t miss any secret moves. He don’t seem to dig un anything worth while. though. Td almost forgotten what it was all about. when here the other afternoon he stops and whispers husky over my shoulder. “Another message!” says he. “Eh?" says L “Oh, ves! typist’s has “As before’ says he. “T discovered More it concealed in the letter file.” “Strordinary. Sherlock!'™ says “Now vou'll take steps, will you?" “Positively.” savs he. T didnt think for a minute, though. that he'd be nut enough to carry this wild tale>to Mr.“PHins. But a few minutes Jater, when I takes some documents into the private office, I finds Piddfe wavin’ a sheet of paper in fromt of Old Hickory and explainin® excited all his suspicions. “H-m-m'™ says the boss, rubbin’ his ehin. “Yes, it is rather singular. ‘Think it's a message, do you?" “Undoubtedly. sir, says Piddie. “Probably a threat. You remember those warnings that were sent before the Wall street bomb outrage? This may be something of the kind. And TRAILING IT TO IRENE was dizzy in the head from countin’. | As for making ything out of this typewritten junk. i didn't have the | vaguest notion it could WHe done. | However, I folds it up careful and backs out. with Old Hickory wavin Piddie off like the matter was all settied. Course, Piddie ain't so sat- isfied. | “I really think this should have been submitted to a competent firm of detectives ys he. “How unkind!" says I. “Ain't 1 the official detecter of this concer: Huh! Just think over my record, Piddie; the mystery of the faded | bunch ‘of flowers, the one about the | golf ball through the window, the suspicious tapping on the wall, and | so on! Say, what's a little thing like | a secret message to me? ke a| peek, Piddie, you're a pecan. | Course, he don’t get the connection that he's any kind of a nut, any more’'n he does that I'm just tossin’ bull at him. And I hadn't the least idea-1 could dope out this stuff thai had him so worried. In fact, I didn't give it apother thought until after dinner that night at home, when Vee | asks what that is stickin' out of my pocket. “Oh, yes!” says I. “Piddie's secret Faming. He thinks they're after im.” “Who is, Torchy?’ demands Vee. “Oh, the I. W. W or the bolshe- viks, or some other avengers,” says I. “Why, how thrilling!” says Vee. “Are they, really?” 1 there are labor troubles in some of the plants controlled gated, are there not, sir? Old Hickory nods. “I believe we have two strikes on our hands at present.” says he. “The L W. W. are quite active in one.” ““There you are, sir! chimes in Pid- die. “Just their methods. They—they may be plotting to blow up this build- ing—perhaps tomorrow or the day after. may be a warning. I should suggest, sir, that this thing be :lnt‘;edA We might call in detectives “No,” breaks in Old Hickory. *“No detectives. I'd not have them around. We'll just have to- ** And here he gets his eye on me. “Hah"™ he goes on. “Young man “Yes, sir,” says L “You're good at solving mysteries, aren’t you?’ he demands. “Me?” says I, registerin’ surprise. “Oh, come!” says he. “None of that Belasco mock-turtle modesty. And don’t try to look like Willlam Hodge responding to a curtain call. At least, you have a certain facility in know- ing the unknowable. unscrewing the inserutable and so on. Here! Take this puzzie and find out what it ns, if anything.” very well, sir, says L the line to take with Old . In fact, it's the only thing that goes with him when he gives an order. If he told me to find out how many commuters stayed over late in town on phony excuses, or the num- her of salesladies who'd had their evebrows piucked since October 15. T4 make the same answer. And within a week I'd flash some kind of & zaport, u-,u&.-mn-u by the Corru-|message in code. “Here's his proof.”” says I He's had four of last week or so. those within the Fiods : “Looks like it,” I admits. “But who o inde: over 'em that he's put up a holler | What gets me. 5 “So yo eased 1t to him in code, to Mr. Ellins, who don’t do a thing | “Ol, you'll find that out, t0o,” mays| gjan't you?" 1 asks. but wish on me the job of findin’ out what it all means. Some cute little assignment, I'll say.” “But, of Gourse, you can, can’t you, Torchy?" says Vee, noddin’ her head confident. “I had to throw the bluff that I could.” says I “But say, just take a look at this mess.” “Why, it's only a lot of figures and things!” says Vee. “Those can't pos- sibly mean anything, can they? Must have been written on one of those little folding machines like mine.” “Eh?" says L taking the paper. “How do you guess that?” “Why." says Vee, “from the funny little tails on some of the figures. See, on the 3s and 5s. “Huh!" says L. “That's so. Say, let's copy this off on your machine and see how it goes.” “That's a good idea.” says Vee, and she unlimbers her little typewriter from the lunchbox case she keeps it in, feeds a fresi: sheet into it, and {starts hammerin’ away. What she produces in this line: ~32@43 5°3 18435 9! :@41® “Why do it all with one finger™ I ask Iy!"” says she. “Because I have, to hold down the figure shift with one hand. See, each key has a letter - acter at the top. Of cour: lock the figure shift down. So.’ A she proceeds to rattle it off fast, using | all her finger: “That's odd,” says I the original, don’t you? “Get just like| And by the spacing you might think those were meant for words. Here, lemme try that once.” So 1 sits down and picks out the line myself. 1 does it half a dozen . let's see” 1 goes on, “when ou want to write only letters, what do you do?" “Release the figure shift, You goose,” says Vee. “Push that Iittle lever toward you.” “Oh!" says 1. And then I goes on hittin’ the same keys. 1 breaks out excited. “Fook at this, Vee. See what I get!” and 1 shows her. “Why!" says she, gaspy. “B-e- -r-e! How did you do that?” By writing -the letters Jnstrad of the figures.” says 1. “Zoom-zoom, Vee! I believe I've got it. Wait un- til I do the rest.” And this is what I proceeds to plunk out: “Beware the first of March.” “Didnt I say you could?” demands Vee. “Why, you've worked out the code in five minutes. See, all you do to write a secret message is to lock down the figure shift. Then when you want to decode it you release the Q@ “WAS HE FRIGHTENED? REAL-|happen o Y1 ASKS IRENE. AND SHE MOTHERS A SNICKER. shift and strike the keys acconding to Rhe figures, which gives you the' “The | words. And it is 2 message after all, isn't it? A warning one, to Ve, “I just know you will.” n other words, sic 'em, eh? says ‘Say, between you and Old Hick- ory youwll have this so-called brain of mine gettin’ hot in the bearings.” And T'll admit I did lose a little | he could pass it on, you know. sleep that night tryin’ to puzzle out who it such warnings for Piddle. somebody on the force, for an out- sider wouldn't have & chance of pin- nin' ‘em But what was the idea? 'If it was a real red who meant business, why | well, to his blotter, and so on.|Ellins put it up t T “HOW UNKIND! SAYS L “AINT THE OFFICIAL DETECTER OF T LOOK OVER | MY RECORD, PIDDI lins is gazin' at it kind of “Ah, here is Torchy!” says he.| young man, I suppose by this how to decipher “You have? Truly ery simple,” says I an typewriter in the offic —TI think so,” says Piddie. “That one of the typisis, a Miss Kirke, brought one with her, and—No, now I remember. 1 made her take it home and told her she must use one of the office machines. But I could borrow one on the next floor. “Get says Old Hickory. In three minutes P’iddie is back and hangin’ around with his eyes bulged. But [ hud a hunch I'd better have this out with Old Hickory alone, and not have Piddie goin’ up in the air right in the midst of my demonstra- tion. So T suggests that we have a te session. 11 call you in later, Mr. Piddi, Old Hickory. ~ And say, when I've explained the N the convention which met at Richmond June 2, 1788, that be- ing “the date recommended by the legislature for the meeting of a convention to take into consid- eration the proposed plan of federal government,” no argument was made for or against the ratification of the document agreed on by the constitu- tional convention at Philadelphia that had not been made many times during the two or three preceding years. The proposed federal government had been discussed by everybody everywhere in the United States. It had been the leading question in all the states since the Annapolis convention of 1786, Out of that meeting grew the convention at Philadelphia in 1787. In the con- ventions, in Congress and in the leg- islutures of the states everything that could be »ala, Wil reasom, ue witiout reason, for or against the plans for revising the articles of confederation and for or against the “nationaliza- tion” of the Union or the league or the confederation of the states, had been said. It was the main topic in taverns, coffee houses, stage coaches, stores and homes, or Wherever else men came together, and it is quite likely that the mind of every deputy in the Vir- ginia couvention, the Maryland con- vention or the cowvention of any other state was already set or “made up” when he went to Richmond How many deputies had their opinioms chauged by the arguments they heard there no man can know. he number certainly was not large, and the prob- abilities are that the number was very small. If the Rambler were go- ing to bet a Christmas ci on thi matter, he would bet that every depu- ty voted in the convention as he had talked in his county before going to the convention. He went to the con- vention either a pro or anti federal government man, and he voted his sentiments. which he probably called ' his “settled principles” and his “con- victions.” * k k% One must know that there w much bitterness between the advo- cates of ratification and the advo- cates of rejection of the proposed plan of federal government. You get this idea by the numerous loud and earnest calls for moderation in the discussion of the case. As in every other great issue which has divided the American people, or for that mat- code and showed him how I work out that “Beware the first .of March” line, the boss looks mighty serious. You see, he happened to be down town last summer when they blew up the Morgan building. and he's been skittish about such things ever since. 1 don't know as you can blame him, “Hah!” says he. “I don't like the looka of this, Torchy. First of March, eh? Not so far-off, but time enough to take precautions. Now what about last mess=ag What does that say ™ 1 have to run it through the machine,” says 1. 5 And he leans over my shoulder as T pick out. letter by letter. the men- acin’ missive. This is what it was: Piddie is a big stiff. RENEY. “Wha-a-at!” he snorts. “Sure that's right, young man?” He ain’t satisfied, either, until T shows him how to get the same thing himself. Then he leans back and chuckles. “Just tomfoolery,” says he. “Uh-huh,” says “Iooks like yin* to kidnap Mr. somebody was Piddie's Angora."” “Still” says he, of rather a disagreeable kind. If T thought it was one of those young clerks in the bond room—" “T doubt it.” says L “Then who?” he demands. “I think I got a clue,” says I. “Follow it," savs he. turnin’ back to his loaded desk. So that noon I lingers around until nearly everybody has gone out to lunch but a few of the lady typists. Among the sandwich chewers is Miss Kirke. She's a pale-haired, big-eyed little thing, with not much style to her get-up. Ain't been with the Cor- rugated moré'n a couple of months and I hadn't noticed her much. I drifts over to her little desk sort of “that is nonsense | incessant and the ordinarw man in Virginia who loved his Oid Dominion. It needed a man of calm, clear Intellect and understanding to hold fast to the un- derlying principles and main points of the discussion. Though the volume of printed matter which has come down to us is relatively small, because in 1 and that low, the Rambler feels no doubt the population of the thirteen states w s much wrought up over the question of the change in the form of government of the United s cendants were on as their de subjec ssion. The argu- | ments 1o inst secession were | but modifications of the arguments for and against the nationalization of the | states as provided for in the document | formulated by the Philadelphia conven tion and proposed to the States as a new constitution. Really the Rambler think: he hears in the riot of argument and counter-argument, charge and counter- -88 printing presses were few | OLD ENTRANCE TO MO |obsect of their mission extended to no other consideration.” Gov. Randolph defended the work of the Philadelphia convention, and said | sarcastically to Mr. Henry: “I shall | endeavor to satisfy the gentleman's | political curiosity on the matter of |the rights of the delegates to the convention.” Mr. Mason made a long speech, and from it the following brief extract is made, though further along the various points made by , Mason will be taken up: Whethier the Constitution he good or bad. the present clause clearly discovers that it ix & ona! government and no longer 2 confede 1 mean that e which gives the hint on the general government laying . This power. being at discretion, 4 and without any kind of comtro! ry everything before it. ‘This power ix «d to mnnihilate territorial and vernments. Wil the people of thix s mmonwealih submit fo be individusily taxed by two different and distinct powers? These two | fir ! di A ROAD SCENE IN VIRGINIA. e e ter and other people, the central argu- ments were repeated and repeated thousands of times by thousands of men. The main arguments often seem- ed to grow stale and lose force by repetition. Variations of these arguments became as numerous as the disputants. Subordinate argu- ments. side issues and matters but slightly related to the main issue were brought into the case and em- phasized with greater force and loud- er_noise than the main question. Confusion resulted. The principal advocates on each side of the ques- tion were at first misquoted and mis- represented and then maligned. The dangers of the proposed governfnent were_painted in colors calculated to terrify the ordinary man in Massa- chusetts who loved his old Bay State —_— sort of work to do—making out casual and stands watchin’ her for a minute without saying a word. “Yes, sir?” says she, lookin’ up. “You're clever with the keys, I hear,” says L She glances up at me puzzled and then shrugs her shoulders careless. “I can't imagine who could have told says she. “Not Mr. Piddle, “No,” says I. “Just doped it out for myself. But why shouldn’t Pid- die tell it She just laughs easy, elevates that snub nose of hers a bit, and remark “Oh, I'm not a prime favorite of his. He's always calling me down for something or other.” ““That so?" says I. *“And what's your notion of an accurate desecrip- tion of him? A big stiff, eh?” That jarred her a little, but about then I begun to get wise to the fact that them light-blue eyes of hers could stare cool and impudent. She was giving me the benefit of that kind of a look. “So long as you've asked,” says she, “that might be about “T might agree with you, too.” says 1. “But what about’ the first of rch?” M:.fif[ her with her mouth open, that jab did. “T beg your pardon?” says she. '?No stallin’ _ around, Miss Kirke,” “What's going to first of March?” “Why," says she, openin' her eyes wide, “that’s my birthday.” “Oh!" says L “And for fear Pid- die would forget to present you with a bunch of orchids or something, lke that you had to keep remindin’ him of the date. ER?" She shakes her head. *I should call that taking a long chance” says use says I th Which gets her pink in the ears. ‘Oht" she squeals. “Why, I never thought he'd have bean enough to dig it out.” “That's a good guess, says 1. “But “Did he”* says she. “Why, I never was that could be leaving |thought of his being such a gump. Must be | But, of course, he would. Then—then How clever!” “Mr. me.” “Phe main Stem!” says she. “~Oh, 1 suppose it's all over with, deciphered it. yo ust stumbled on it,” says L pick out Piddie. who had no more to|then. I—Im let out, I take it.™ do with plannin’ out the Corrugated| <“Looks like you'd get the gate,” policy®than Vincent, the office boy?|says L “Byt_there ain't been a de- Also, what was the sense in slippin’| cision yet. I've got to repor u it to him in a code that he couldn't ....d...&na.- il work out in a year of Sundays? “Qh, certalnly,” says she, startin’ Going to sleep with thoughts llke|to cellect her things from the desk that on my mind must have been why | drawer. 1 had this foolish dream about seein’ a parade of nickel-p] that clicked menacin’ as they marched and carried banners {nscribed in red, “Down with Piddie!” I know I woke up snickerin’ in the middle of the night, and then turned over to tear off a few more hours of regular slum- er. And when I get to the office, hanged i 1 don't find Piddie in the private. office showin’ Old Hickory another message. “The fifth!” says he, “and this time ed typewriters|I, “Maybe you wouldn't mind,” says “glearin’ up a few points. For instance, why did you sign the last one Reney?" “That's what they call me at home,” says she. “My name's Irene.” “Same as the musical show, eh?” said 1. “Now one more: What start- ed you pickin’ on Piddie? “Because he picked on me first,” says Irene. “Oh, in petty little ways. It ssems I annoyed him by the way I looked at him. But I couldn’t help that, could I? Yet he kept finding Isal-add EoBE Bo-S0E tba dullest tables and that sort of thing. And it'’s been so stupid here, among all these silly girls. I've a_good notion to go right back home and take my| old job of teaching in high school.” “Where's home?’ says L “Muskegon, Michigan,” says she. “That's an awful threat” says T ‘Muskegon! Sounds such a long way from Broadway. Better stick around until I give Mr. Ellins all the horrible and revoltin' details. He might buy the ticket for you.” But you never can tell about Old Hickory. Maybe he'll blow a gasket, and then again he might do nothing more'n_grunt. This time he actually lets out a chuckle. “What!” says he. “That tow-haired little wisp of a thing! Why, I didn't think she had brains enough. Bring her in here, Torchy.” She's just finishin' up her second sandwich and sniffin’ a little. “Now, buck up, Irene,” says . “The worst may be about to happen. Any- way, you're wanted on the carpet.” “Oh, well!” says she. And she follows me into the private office with her snub nose in the air. “So you find it rather stupid, work- ing for the Corrugated Trust, young lady?” asks Old Hickory, scowlin’ at her from under his bushy eyebrows. “Yes” says she, lookin square at im, " “And to relieve the monotony,” he goes on, “you invent a secret type- writer code and nearly scare our Mr. Piddie into a cat-fit by sending him mysterious messages' “Was he frightened? Really?’ asks Irene. And she smothers a snicker. “Well, why don’t you fire me?" “Because,” says Old Hickory, “it has occurred to me that this talent of yours might be better employed. Ever made use of this code of yours before?" “No, sir,” says she. “Then how would you like to handle our code correspondence at about double your present salary?’ asks Old Hickory. Say, the next minute she's beamin'. “Oh, T'd love it says she, and trips out ‘with them light blue eyes of hers fairly dancin’. “But what'll I tell Piddie, Mr. Ellins?" says I “Oh, anything that your consclence will let you,” says Old Hickory. If I'd had time, too, I might have thought up some fancy tale to spring on him, but as it is Piddle nafls me as I come out, 50 I has to fall back on the truth, or very near it. “You know all, then?” asks Piddle. “I'm glad you admit it, at last™ says L “But the messages?” he insists. “8.s-sh!"” says 1. “Nothing alarmin’, nor anything you'd want to get around. Might reach Mrs. Piddie.” ““What!” says he. “‘Some charmer, forty. *“Uh-huh!” says I. you are, even if you have passed This was a case of a young lady re- mindin' you secret that her birthday was coming along soon. Yes! And you had to go_ hollerin’ to Mr. Ellins about it: Hear him chucklin’ in there now?” “Good heavens!” says Piddie, tintin® up like a sunset. But the last I saw of him he was over in the corner & mirror his necktia T never know, m prune. he was coded ana kid- ded all at one throwm. . Ouarrighty 193l hx. Sewald Berky . . charge, in the period 1786-88 certain points ‘of similarity to the controversy as to whether the United States should become a member of a league of na- tions as proposed in a covenant agreed to at Versailles. Patrick Henry was certainly the | most vigorous and vociferous op- | ponent of the Constitution in the | Virginia convention. He spoke oftener and longer than any other delegate. George Mason of Gunston Hall seems to have put forth the weightiest rea- sons against the adoption of the Con- sons in calm and cool language. What seems to the Rambler to have been the most effective reply to Patrick Henry was made by Henry Lee of Freestone Point. Soon after the or- ganization of the convention Mr. Ma- son arose and said: - Mr. President, T hope and trust, that this convention, appointed by the people, oa this great and Important occasion, for securing as far ax possible, to the latest generation the happiness and liberty of the people, will. freely and fully investigate this important matter. For this purpose I humbly conceive the fullest and clearest investigation indispensably neces- sary, and that we ought not to be bound by any 'geperal rules whatever. The curse de- nounced by the divine vengeance will be small compared with what will justly fall upon us if from any sinister views we obstruct the full- est Inquirs. This subject, therefore, ought to obtain the freest discussion, clause by clause, before any general previous question be put, nor ought it to be precluded by auy other question. * * % Mason was for going slow with consideration of the matter. Lee wanted prompt action. He said that the convention would be compelled to adourn not later than June 22, as the legislature would meet on the 23d, and the Constitution. he believed, “was very fully understood by every gentleman present, having been the subject of public and private consid- eration by most persons on the con- tinent and of the peculiar meditation of those who were deputed to the convention.” The first long speech favo; fication came from “Mr. holas, There were two Deputies Nicholas, George and Wilson, and, as both were _ratifiers, the Rambier cannot tell from. the record which it was that spoke first for the Constitution. The first speech against ratification came from -Patrick Henry, and the Rambler makes the following extract from it as reported in Jonathan El- liot’s “Debates”: The public mind as well as my own i ex- tremely uneasy at the proposed change of government. _Give me leave to form ome of the number of those who wish to be thoroughly scquainted with the reasons of this perilous and uneasy situation, and why we are brought hither 1o decide on this great national ques- tion. T consider myself but a servant to the people of this commonwealth, as a sentinel over their rights, liberty and happiness, and 1 represent their feelings when I say that they are exceedingly uneasy at being broaght from that state of full security which they enjoyed to the present delusive appearance of things. A year ago the minds of our citizens were at perfect repose. Before the meeting of the lste federal convention at Philadelphia & general peace and a universal tranquillity vailed in this conntry, they are exceedingly uneasy and disquieted. Mr. Henry said: altering our federal government is of a most alarming nature. If this new government will not come up to the expectations of the peopls, and they shall be disappointed, their lib- erty will be lost and tyranny must and will arise.” He said that “the danger of a consolidated government is demonstrably clear, and the dan- ger of such a government is to my mind very striking. I have the high- est veneration for these gentlemen, but, sir, give me leave to demand what right had they to say ‘We, the people’? (alluding to the preamble of the Constitution). My political curiosity, exclusive of my anxious solicitude for the public welfars, leads me.to ask who them of ‘We, the to the ‘We, the states’? The federal convention ought to hawe -m:n:c: (bdfl-mrn:h&-p poso_thop seeas:aolely 3 g rati l stitution and to have put those rea-| ot since. that period | by “This proposal of | co powers cannot exist long together; R ome il eatroy the other. 1a it to be su] that one natienal govermment will suit so extensive a country embracing so many climates and cootaining inbabitants so very different in manners, habits and custom: Taxes suitable for one part of the country would be ruinous to aspother. Every govern- ment over an extensive country has d!illv!d‘ the liberty of the people. Madison and_Edmund Pendleton spoke for the Constitution. and Pat- rick Henry took the floor again. He declared that a standing army was created under the terms of the Con- i stitution *“to execute the execrable commands of tyranny.” “The clause | before you,” he said, “gives a power of direct taxation, unbounded and un- limited; exclusive power of legislation over ten miles square of American territory, end over all places pur- chased for the erection of forts, maga- | Zines, arsenals, dockyards, etc. What resistance could be made against this power? The attempt would be mad- Ress! You will find all the strength of this country in the hands of your enemies! Your militia is given up to Congress also. Of what service would militia be to you when most probably vyou will not have a single musket in the state? For, as arms are to be | provided by Congress. they may or may not furnish them.” * ¥ ¥ ¥ Mr. Henry continued: “This Consti- tution is said to have beautiful fea- | tures, but when I come to examine | these features, sir, they appear to me horribly frightful. Among other de- formities it has an awful squinting; it squints toward monarchy! And does this not raise indignation in_the breast of every true American? Your President may easily become king! Your Senate is so imperfectly con- structed that your dearest rights may be sacrificed by what may be a small minority! Where are your checks in this government? “If your American chief be a man of ambition and abilities. how easy is it for him to render himself abso- lute! The Army is in his hands, and if he be a man of address it will be attached to him. It will not be the subject of long meditation with him to seize the first auspicious mo- ment to accomplish his design; and, sir, will the American spirit solely relieve you when this happens? I would rather infinitely—and I am sure that most of this convention are of the same opinion—have a king, lords and commons than have a go ernment so replete with such insup- portable evils.” Gov. Randolph declared we needed a nationalistic government becau: he foresaw petty wars between the sovereign states over boundary lines, and obstructions to commerce lead- Ing to hatreds between kindred peo- ple. “In case.”. he said, “of comflict between us (Virginia) and Maryland and Pennsylvania, they would be aided by the whole strength of the more northern states—in #hort, by the power of the adoptl states. Virginia cannot remain oWtside of the proposed consolidation!™ He said that a national army Wwas required the consolidation of the states, becanso militia could Dot detend & countey and never 414 defend » ooun- in “bohait of + phrase, re- public® to describe the m.nr.‘ ernment, and, 80 far as the ler has found in the ol this ‘was the first employment of the term. Mr. Corbin ke for the Consti- tution, and : "“Our liberties are secured, sir, by the Iimitation of the powers of the federal government, which are clearly and unequivocally defined and which are to be exercised representatives freely T VERNO! s / \'HE SUNDAY STAR, JANUARY' 2, 1921 PART 4. : oF= =g By Sewell Ford THE RAMBLER WRITES OF OLD FIGHT ON CONSTITUTION IN VIRGINIA CONVENTION 2 in the Constitution so dangerous as that which gives Congress exclusive power of legislation within a district ten miles square.” Mr. Grayson made what seems in comparison with many other speeches 1o have been a broadminded state ment of his opposition to the pro- posed form of government. He praised the men of the constitutional con- vention at Philadelphia for getting the best they could for their states, and said: “1_do not criminate or suspect the principles on which they acted.” | _As the Rambler reads the old rec- ords, Mr. Henry was the dominating advocate of the anti-ratifiers, whily |George Mason was the master couns selor. He was not particularly cons spicuous in the debates on the floor, but the opponents of the Constitution repeated the objections which Mr Mauson had put forth in writing and in private converse. The best sum- mary of these objections is to ba found in a letter which Mason wrota to_his old friend. George Washing- ton, October 7, 1387, and which was luter published s a pamphiet under this caption: “Address to the Citi- zens of Virginia, being the Objections of the Hon. George Mason to the Proposed Federal Constitution.” The letter to Washington begins: I take the liberty to jnclose to you my ohjec tions to the new Cousfitution of goverumen:. which u litle moderation of temper at the enf OF the convention might have removed. You will readily obseive that my objections are noy numerous (the greater part of the fuclosed pa. per coutalning ressons upon the probable ei. fects of the exceptionable parts), though in my wind some of them sre capital oves. Mason's first objection was that the proposed Constitution did not contain a declaration of rights. The second was that “in the House of Represen- tatives there is not the substance, but the shudow only of representa- tion, which can never produce proper information in the legislature or in- spire confidence in the people, and that the laws will therefore generally be made by men little concerned in and acquainted with their effects and consequences. * £ % % Among his objections to the manner of creating the Senate he wrot The Senate having the power of altering all moaey bills and of originating appropriations of mouey and the saiaries of the officers of their tmeat. in with the Preside of the Caited States—although they are ot rep. resentatives of the people or amenable to them —is dangerous. Thewe with their ouber great .+ their power of appointment of au- public officers, io making accomplish usurpations they piease spon the rights and lib- erties of the people. His objections to the mode of cre- ting the mational judiciary were: The Judiciary of the United States is o con- structed extended as 1o absorb and destroy the judiciaries of several states, thereby ren- dering laws as tedious, intricate and expensive and justice as unattainabie by the great part of the community as in England, and enabling the rich to oppress and rain the Poor. Writing of the executive department, Mason said: The President of the United States bas ne constitotional council (a thing unkoown in any safe and regular govermment). He will therefore be unsupported by Anforms. tion and advice, and will be direct. «d by misions and favorites—or be Will becoma 2 tool of the Senate. or & comell of grow out principal officers departments—the worst_and ingredients for such a comncil 47t they may be angerous or ve themeelves and prevent an own misconduct ia office. constitutional council been formed propoved) of six members. vis, two eastern, two from the middle and the soutbern states, to be_ appointed vote of the states in bhe House of Re tatives, with the same duration and wiation of office as the Senate, the executive would always have Bad safe and proper ir‘orma- tion and advice; the president of sach a council might have acted as Vice Premdent of the Tnited States pro tempare. l ! I ] i sf 1) i if i H i would in great measure have been prevented. From this fatal defect of a constitationsi coun isen the improper power of the Senate In the appointment of public officers and the alarming dependence and between that branch of the legislature and the supreme executive. lence also sprung that ummecessary efficer, the Vice President, who, for want ef employment. : inence over the 5 'The Brosident of the Dalted Rates has the unrestrained power of granting pardon for treason, which may be sometimes exercised to scre:n ‘from punishment those whom he secretly instigated to commit crime, and By decaring all ‘trestics supeee baee o t land che grecutlve and oy v cases an ex which might have bean avoided by Mm dine Linctions with respect to treaties requiriag the it could be done with mafety. Among his objections George declared that “Under their o—x.e.nob: struction of the general clause at the end of the enumersted powers the Congress may gran: monopolies in trade, in commerce, comstitute new crimes and inflict unusual and severe punishments and extend their power Ez I