The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-15
Pre-. ident Grant and Congress.

From the N. Y. World.
The tendency of our politics, for the last
four years, has been to dwarf the influence
and importance of the Executive Department
of the Government, and build up and enlarge
the authority of Congress. When General
Grant was elected, he seems to have been
aware that his Office was shorn OF its former
powers and prestige, and to have desired to
recover its weight as a coordinate branch of
the Government. The methods to which he
resorted to secure this desirable result are
such as could have been adopted only by
novice who was not only without experience
in politics, but to whom nature had denied
the aptitudes by which political ends are ac-
complished. His first mistake consisted in
disclosing, and, as it were, advertising, his
intention to emancipate himself from Con-
gressional control. The purpose was praise
worthy; but the means which he selected
we're calculated to Illustrate it. Instead of
standing sloof and rejecting the advice of Con-
gressmen, skilful politician would have
sought their assistance, and have won the Con-
gressional chiefs to his side by an appearance
of Difference, and by seeming to take them
into his confidence. By flattering their self
importance he might easily have converted
them into allies; or, at all events, they would
have been more inclined to give him their CO.
operation as recognized advisers than when
treated with repulsive coldness The true
way to weaken Congress was by bringing
| over to his side the most influential leaders
| of that body. Every weight taken out of one
| scale and put into the other would have
double effect. 1t would have weakened Con-
| gress by diminishing the amount of talents
against him, and have strengthened himself by
enlisting those talents in his own favor. Gene
raj Grant has played his game badly, inasmuch
as he has lett Congress as strong as it was
under President Johnson, and has gathered
around him set of advisers who are singu-
lsrly untitled to cope with and counterbalance
that body.
In the whole list Of the Cabinet, Mr.. Bout
well is the only member who has recently
served in Congress; and he Is a man who has
never had much influence either as a parlia-
mentary or as party tactician. Mr.. Fish has
not been in Congress for many years, and his
talents were never those Of keen parlamen-
tartan nor of party manager; Mr.. Borie has
never been in Congress at all, has never re-
| sided in Washington, and is perfectly raw as
a politician; Mr.. Cox is young man without
| connections or influence, who never held any
civil Office but that of Governor of Ohio; Mr..
Hoar is a mere jurist; Mr. Rawlins mere
army officer; Mr.. Creswell an Insignificant ex-
Senator who served part of term. The only
way to have cOunterbalanced the overgrown
influence of Congress was by forming Cabi-
net of great political experience and great
ascendancy over the masses OF the Republican
| party. The Cabinet should nave Deen COM
posed OF men who had large gifts OF leader
ship. If number of these had been taken
out of Congress, the influence Of that body
would have been weakened in proportion as
that of the administration was strengthened,
which would have been double advantage.
But as General Grant has managed, Con-
gress is just as strong and just as arrogant as
it was under President Johnson, and is con-
fronted by Cabinet Of political oiphers, SO
far as regards their ability to manipulate and
manage the Republican party. Congress will
therefore have the whip-ha Of the new Pre-
sident throughout his term OF office. All the
men whom the Republican party follow aud
trust as leaders have been passed by and
ignored in the composition of the Cabinet.
General Grant has organized small body OF
raw recruits to oppose the veteran hosts Of
Congress, who have triumphed in 80 many
battles with the late President. 1t Itrequlres
no skill to predict the result. The new Pre-
sident will be foiled in every contest with
Copgressi and the Executive instead OF re-
covering its lost influence under General Grant,
win be merely set of ministerial agents TO
execute the will Of the Legislative body. A