The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-25
The Power Not with tho President.

This Presidents proclamation OF June go
calling upon Congress to meet in extraordi-
nary session on Aug. Z. was issued under
the authority conferred upon him by sec
ton Of Article II. OF the Constitution. The
proclamation stated the purpose OF the call.
Tho Senators and Representatives in Con-
gross are summoned to Washington "to
tho end that the people may be relieved
through legislation from present and I'M
pending danger and distress"
There Is now some discussion MS to
whether the intention Of tho Administra-
ton 10 to permit Congress to consider any
question affecting the general welfare of
tho people. or to conflne its attention to the
silver purchase law now in force. postpon-
ing all other matters to tho time Of the reg
ular session In December.
A widely published statement OF the pres
emit opinions attributed to Mr. CLEVELAND
represents him as believing that tho tariff
Is o question SO far inferior in importance
to tho silver question that it may be post
poned almost indefinitely.
For years Mr.. CLEVELAND has con-
stantly maintained in public speeches
and In private letters intended to DO
published. that .he repeal OF unwlse
Of the Democratic party. He has held that
the existing tariff laws wero the source
Of the present and impending dagger
ind distress: thnt they have already
caused great loss and damage to
our people. and threaten to cripple our
merchants. stop the wheels OF tho manu-.
facturcrs. bring Distress and privut!on to
our farmers. and withhold from our work
a.. loL,
quoted Ia that which ho row uses with
reference 20 the silver situation; but with
out the change OF q single word It repre-.
gents his past uttcrances on many cccn-
sions concerning the tariff laws. This at
titude no held steadily up to tho time Of
his nomination and election last year. II
either question was subordinate and sus-
certiblc Of postponcmsnt until tho main
task had been accomplished. it was the
silver question. not the tariff
We are net criticising Mr.. CLEVELAND for
changing: his opinion OF the comparative
Importance Ct the two questions. If. indeed.
he hns changed 1t. 1t Is tine privilege and
duty OF craftsmanship to meet now issues
that arlho, without regard 20 yester-
days rhetoric. Only q crank Is incapa-
bio OF Inconsistency IN this respect. II
Mr.. CLEVELAND. in the light OF his pres
ont Information. coatemplntes tariff rcf0rrn
with waning interest or Is personally dis
posed to shclveit. along with civil service
reform and other back numbers tlint onco
seen.ed 30 timely. no Is only demonstrating
tho capacity Of his intellect TO grasp mnre
ideas than one. whether In succession or
simultaneously is Of no consequence.
But 1t Is proper to remark that although
the Constitution allows the President to
call Congress Together on extraordinary
occasions. IL does not empower him TO con-
dne the deliberations OF tina: body to any
ono subject Or set OF subjects. or even TO
limit the terra Of The session. The call issued,
The power OF The Executive Is exhausted.
Congress once assembled and organized, tho
Legislative branch OF the Government Is in
full. independent. and uncomfortable opera
ton 30 far as the White House Is concerned.
The President may send In his RECOMMEND
dations rs Mt the regular sessions. He
cannot bind the Senate and the House
20 any one limo Of legislation. 10
has no more power than any other
citizen OF tho United States to prescribe
what laws shall DO repealed. or what laws
shall be enacted. or what subjects shall
be considered. He has not evcn tho power
to dismiss from the Capitol the Congress he
has summoned. except ia tho single event
~ disagreement between tho two Houses
as 10 tho date OF adjournment.