Casper Daily Tribune

Rocking the Boat

Writing to a paper of which he had for forty years been the managing editor Solomon B. Griffin tells the Springfield Republican this:

"Americans, outside of officialdom and those who report its doings, quiet citizens aloof from Washington, have been of late afforded abundant food for thought. Much there has been to beget depression. The need for housecleaning in national affairs is clear. But in this field we know that necessary remedial action will be taken. Public opinion and the due process of law are adequate for the need. There is confidence in President Coolidge's ability to guide and direct. This seems to be true west as well as east. At a time when the nation was troubled about many things could anything have been more disturbing than the precipitate action of the senate that has tangled the amicable relations of this country with Japan in such childish and yet portentous fashion? "What shadows we pursue!"-not only kittens or children, but men and senators. The incapacity of the senate to deal in wisdom and tact with delicate foreign relations has been exhibited many times. Successive secretaries of state have had to face it. Now we have sheer gratuity of affront in the senate's interference with the policy of Secretary Hughes and his predecessors. It is already seen to have created widespread consternation and disheartenment.

"Urgently needed is thinking and resolute leadership and patriotism, with breadth of view not to speak of courage in withstanding foolishness prevalent in presidential years."