Montgomery County sentinel., 1890-09-19

The Maryland Democratic Club, which
was virtually disbanded two years ago, met
at 1928 street, Washington, Monday night.
Mr. G. G. Lancaster presided, aud Mr.. j. L.
Heiskell acted as secretary. The new Mary
land registration law was discussed and ex-
planned, and arrangements made for sending
voters home, and a campaign committee
was selected and resolutions passed by
which the association pledged its best efforts
to secure the success of each Democratic
Congressional candidate, "and especially
the reelection of that faithful friend of the
District, Hon. Barnes Compton, who was
illegally deprived of his seat in the present
Congress by the Republican majority"
PRESIDENT AND THE TARIFF.
There has been considerable discussion
in the press Of the country in regard to the
and the Aldrich reciprocity amendment to
the Mckinley tariff bill in particular; but,
thus far, no serious or sufficient attempt has
been made to answer the constitutional
objection, urged with great clearness and
force by Senator Evarts, against the discre-
tionary power conferred on the President
by that amendment. The wisdom or un-
wisdom OF such action might be argued on
general principles, but the point Mr.. Evarts
has made is specific. and can only be fifty
discussed by reference to the great funda-
mental law which defines the various pow
ers OF the government and sets limits that
can only be transgressed by the practical
annulment of the constitution itself.
That the New York Senator's position
on this question was not lightly taken, but
that, on the contrary, it was with him the
result OF grave conviction, is assured by his
reputation, his great experience, and his spe-
cial ability us lawyer and statesman. II
would seem the part of wisdom, therefore,
to subject the obnoxious provision to the
most searching scrutiny and the most care
ful deiberation II, as appears now prob
able, a scheme OF reciprocity is to be incor-
porated in the tariff bill, il should by all
means be disembarrassed Of a provision
which, to any extent, in any degree, or I'M
der any circumstances, gives To the Execu-
tive Il power OF taxation.
The slightest study of the constitution
will show that its alotments of power are
not made either arbitrarily, or at hap hazard.
They are founded upon political principles
ascertained from the experience and history
of civil society, and they are SO apportioned
as to form checks upon each other 10 pre-
vent their abuse No power under the con-
stitution is more clearly defined or more
definitely vested than the Federal power to
impose taxes and duties. This, the most
important of all the powers of the govern.
ment, is vested exclusively in Congress, and
that body can not lawfully delegate any
part of this power to the President, to be
exercised by him at his discretion.
Ii has, indeed, been claimed that the dis
cretionary provision of the reciprocity clause,
which empowers the President, under cir.
cumstances which he may deem proper, to
impose and collect duties on sugar, coffee,
and hides, simply confers upon him author.
ity to execute, under prescribed conditions,
laws sanctioned by Congress. But this con.
tention, by striving to evade it, simply clouds
and confuses the issue. The President needs
no authority from Congress for the faithful
execution OF the laws. Such execution is
made his duty by the constitution. On the
other hand, his imposition of taxes under
certain circumstances is the exercise of
function which belongs solely and exclu
sively to Congress.
1t will readily be seeRthat if the Presi
dent can be empowered by Congress to levy
taxes, under certain circumstances, at his
discretion, then he may equally be author
lied to declare war, under prescribed cir
cumstances, also within the sphere of his
discretion and So one by one, all the func.
tons Of Congress might be abdicated in favor
of the executive branch of the government
A principle susceptible of su ch general ap.
plication, yet leading to so absurd conclu-
sion, must be erroneous Wash. Post
HENRY Wa ATTERSON'S OPINION OF
BLAINE.