NORMALCY IN THE SENATE

Some students of government maintain the superiority of the English system of responsible ministries over the American system of complete separation between executive and legislative departments. In Senator Borah's opposition to the President's World Court plan, these students have a beautiful example, seemingly made to order, to support their contention.

The overwhelming vote President Coolidge received in November was rightly interpreted by him as a mandate that the United States adhere to the World Court protocol with reservations, this being an important foreign plank in his platform. Accordingly, he strongly urged that action in his message to Congress. Senator Borah, however, thinks otherwise.

"It was Mr. Coolidge who received the popular mandate," says the Senator, "Mr. Coolidge has acted upon it. Well and good! What has that to do with me?"

Under the English system the President would appeal to the electorate, and there is nothing to indicate that the people would reverse their vote of only a month ago. This would end the deadlock and insure immediate action.

As the present system works, Senator Borah, as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, holds the keystone position in the matter. To defy the President and disregard the evident expression of popular will is neither inconsistent nor unusual. It seems to be the normal order that President and Congress should work at cross purposes. The deadlock has become an established and sacred principle of American government.