Cheers & Groans

America's Town Meeting of the Air's subject for debate was vital: "Should Congress Lead or Follow Public Opinion?" The speakers were capable: Lawyer William West Grant of Denver, calling for leadership; Dr. T. V. Smith, University of Chicago philosophy professor and former Illinois Congressman, defending Congress as it is.

Grant said "Congressmen are supposed to be picked because they evidence certain qualities justifying their election. Let them lead in those matters which are crying for attention or let them get out. We need in Congress more men of courage and conviction. Men who are willing to risk their jobs." The audience cheered.

Smith replied: "I admit what he charges, that Congress does not lead; I justify what he bemoans, that Congress only follows. It is indeed the primary business of Congress to discern and follow the popular will, when there is a popular will, and to do nothing where there isn't, save to talk around and about until there is a popular will." The audience cheered that, too.

But when Smith said, in answer to a question, "The deepest conviction that any Congressman ever has is that the will of the people ought to prevail. And when you think he is selling out other convictions, he is subordinating smaller convictions to the deepest conviction of a democratic representative," from the audience rose a shout of "No," a chorus of boos, and a hearty groan. On the Blue's national network, the groan echoed from Maine to California.

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