Verhovayak Lapja, 1947 (30. évfolyam, 1-24. szám)
1947 / Verhovay Journal
October 8, 1947 Verhovay Journal Representatives Still In Now that the delegates to Verhovay’s National Convention have returned to their homes we would like to remind them that their term has not yet expired. Past experience has made this reminder necessary, now more so than ever, because many of the districts insisted that the Board of Directors shall have no authority to act in matters reserved for the jurisdiction of the national convention. The officers and directors of the Verhovay were always conscious of the lawful limitations of their authority. It was for this reason that shortly after the Convention in 1943 a resolution authorizing a $25,000 donation to the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., was submitted for action to the members of the XX-th National Convention by the Board of Directors. The Resolution was adopted by the overwhelming majority, but quite a number of the delegates refused to vote on the ground that they “had not been empowered by the district meeting to vote upon such a matter”. Obviously, these representatives were unaware of the real scope of their authority. At the convention they voted upon many important issues which previously had not been discussed at the district meetings. Yet, they voted, even though they had received no instructions from their districts as to the course to be taken by them in reference to unexpectedly arising issues. They voted and their action was legal because as duly elected representatives of the membership they were empowered to act in accordance with their own judgment. A representative is free to vote in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience and judgment: therein lies the essence of representative government. This right of the representative does not expire with the adjournment of the legislative body. It remains in effect throughout the term for which the representative is elected. In fact, as long as he is not under impeachment, his constituents are unable to control his actions. He may vote contrary to the sentiments and convictions of his constituents, he may go his own sweet way without paying any attention to their demands, there is nothing they can do about it until the end of his term. Then, if he has not truly represented them, they may refuse to re-elect him, but no other action can be taken against him. In Verhovay’s system of government the National Convention represents the legislature. In cases of emergency the necessity for enacting some sort of law may arise, though the -emergency may not be of such serious nature as to warrant the' calling of a special convention. In such instances the delegates are notified by mail of the issue to be acted upon and they are expected to cast their votes just as if the convention were in session. Naturally, when a vote is taken between conventions, the issue cannot be debated on the floor and the delegates are deprived of hearing and taking part in the arguments which, as a rule, are conductive to intelligent action. For this reason, however, involved issues are seldom, if ever, submitted for a vote by mail. The matters to be acted upon during the interim, between conventions, are simple, clear-cut questions, requiring no more, nor less than a mere “aye” or “no”, in accordance with the judgement of each representative. To refuse to vote on a simple, clear-cut question like that amounts to the' refusal of one’s obligations as representative of the membership. A representative is elected because the constituents trust his judgment and, therefore, it is a poor representative who dare not trust his own judgment. To refuse to vote on the ground that he has not been instructed by his district is an act of naivete resting on an erroneous conception of the districts’ jurisdiction. For Chapter II., paragraph 8 of the Bylaws reads: . . the second meeting (of the Districts is to be held) in November of the same year for the purpose of ratifying the amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws adopted at the Convention.” In other words, the post-convention district meetings have no business whatsoever to give any kind of instructions to the representatives. Their sole business consists in either ratifying or rejecting the amendments to the Constitution and By-laws adopted at the Convention. The idea that those actions of the Convention which have no connection with the Bylaws, also are to be approved and that no future actions of such nature can be taken without previous authorization by the district meetings, is the outgrowth of the underestimation of the authority and jurisdiction of the National Convention as the legislative body of the Association. It is based on the notion that the dis-Office-----trict sessions are above the National Convention, which is not true. Such being the case, the delegates to the XXI. National Convention will do well to bear in mind that they may be required to vote upon some issues which had not yet arisen at the time of the convention was in session. Since their term wall not expire before September, 1951, they will have full authority, and it will be their duty, to vote on all matters which belong to the jurisdiction of the national convention. Some of the districts which had maintained only recently that the Board of Directors have overstepped the limits of their authority, seem to be unaware that it was their representatives who refused to vote the last time when they were required to vote by mail. If they do not want to grant the directors the right to act, but refuse to take action themselves, then how in the world can any action be taken on matters the disposal of which cannot be postponed? The delegates to the XXth Convention were required to vote by mail on the question of whether or not the Association should contribute $25,000 toward the alleviation of the desperate need of the Hungarian people. Surely, this was not,a question to be postponed until September, 1947?! Problems of similarly urgent nature may arise in the future. It is important, therefore, that every delegate to the National Convention be’ aware of his authority to act as a representative of the membership. A representative may choose not to vote, but not on the ground that he has received no instructions from his constituency. This is a poft- subterfuge for those not daring to express their judgment one way or tlié other/ It is the moral duty of every elected representative of the Association to exercise his authority to the end of his term. That is the only way for maintaining democratic government. Incidentally, several of the districts demanding that the representatives be polled when matters beyond the jurisdiction of th£ Board of Directors are to be acted upon, spoke of this procedure as a “referendum vote”. The taking of a vote by mail is not a referendum vote. The term “referendum” denotes the practice of referring measures passed upon or proposed by the legislative body to the electorate, in this case to the general member-Delegates Boost Success Of Hungáriáim Relief Dance The benefit dance held by Chapter 117 of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., in the English Room of Hotel Fort Pitt, Pittsburgh, Pa., on September 13th, was a great success. The huge ball-room was filled beyond capacity and the dance floor was simply jammed. Busiest people were the Reception Committee and the ticket sellers whose jobs kept them on the run until midnight. Chapter 117 took a bow on this occasion before the representatives of Hungarian settlements in IV states of the union, for the delegates to the XXI. National Convention of the Verhovay attended in a body, and many of them had eve« their wives come to Pittsburgh for this unusual event. Hoi’vath Guszti’s gipsy orchestra, furnished the music, untiringly, for the guests hardly ever had a chance to rest. Vocal soloes were rendered by Gusztáv Horvath, Joseph Gero of the Hungarian radio program, ai«4 Emery Florian, Hungarian stenographer, whose cultured baritone brought the house down. Bill Kohut introduced the dance Committee: Miss Yolanda Bencze, chairman, Mrs. Yolanda Diera, Mr3. Margaret Beres, Miss Vilma Balogh, Miss Helen Erdeky, Miss Manci Prdeky, Miss Peggy Evans and Miss Mollie Konscoll. Among the dancers the greatest applause was accorded to Convention chairman and Mrs. Coloman Kolozsvary who really proved that Hungarians will dance as long as they live. The financial success was impressive, to say the least. The dance netted $585.00 for the relief-work of Chapter 117 of the America« Hungarian Relief, Inc. Again Pittsburgh’s young folks have proven that the secret of success lies not in numbers hut in cooperation, organization and devotion to the cause. This small group, unusually strong on all three counts, has chalked up another great victory to the lasting credit of every worker and officer of Chapter 117. Hungarians of Pittsburgh and the Verhovay delegates from all over the country are grateful for this fine example of leadership and cooperation and for the wonderful time they had a! thi* Relief Dance. PAGE 7 Every day something gets done that couldn’t be done. A narrow mind slider right through the facts. Nothing pays poorer than spitework. There’s some good in everyone but it’s not nearly so interesting. ship. According to the By-laws of the Association a referendum vote can be taken only if the dissolution of the Association were to be recommended. In reference to all other matters beyond thfe jurisdiction of the Board of Directors, the Convention is the highest forum, and the members of the Convention, elected for a four year term, have every authority to act as the Convention whenever the Convention is not in session.
