The herald., 1893-08-15
AN uNwARaANrABLE ASSUMPTION.

There has been q remarkable de-
parture during the present summer, &C.
cording to some authorities, in the
theory of the constitutional government
OF the United States. Everyone remem-
bers the theory of the government of
Great Britain. In that scheme the
crown is represented by ministers who
figure in legislative matters in both
houses. The crown is the sovereign re-
pository of power, and some one of the
ministers is invested with the authority
of originating and championing meas-
ures both in the lords and commons.
Some representative OF the crown is sup
posed to arise at every stage of the pro-
ceeding, both in the lords and COM
mons, and to announce the programme
which is agreeable to her gracious
majesty. the queen. Far different lie it
with the American congress. In this
country the several departments OF the
government, the legislative and execu-
tive, are separated by gulf profound.
The president is Supposed to communi-
cate his views to both houses of con-
gress, and to make such recommends
tioDs as may be suitable to him, and there
his function is supposed to end. If we are
to trust to what reaches US from Wash
ington through newspaper channels all
this old traditional conception OF the
congress of the United States has been
invaded and ovsrthrown. We are told
that the administration issues its orders,
and Mr.. Carlisle and other officers high
in authority are spoken of as directing
the fight on the silver question as the
representatives of Mr.. Cleveland. We
do not believe word OF it, and our in
credulity is based on the belief that,
while Mr.. Cleveland presents his views,
and presents them very aDly and
strongly, he by no means intends to
transcend the limits of his powers, as
defined by the constitution of the
United States. The kilograms that rep
resent Mr.. Carlisle as taking an oficious
and unwarranted interest in the pro.
ceedings OF congress are certainly un-
No man ever showed a
more punctilious regard than he for the
|
past, and it is scarcely fair to assume
that he would step down from his high
estate in the interest of any phase of
the silver controversy.
Just in time to refu 70 this ingenious
theory President Cleveland left for his
nome at Buzzard's Bay. II he had de-
'ired to unduly influence the action of
congress he certainly would not have
eft Washington at this stage OF the
ight Having expressed his views, he
las left upon congress the onus of dis
covering wise solution OF the difficulty.
The HERALD has seen fit. in the interest {
# its section, and, as it believes, of the 9
Whole country and of all mankind, to
ntagonize the presidents opinions on
liver. But the sneers of the Chronicle,
md its accusations that Mr.. Cleveland G
g undertaking to play the role of dicta-
or, are absolutely without foundation.
The president has shown himself to be
IN active and energetic partizap. hut he
lae ;- uensa pioiataa -.y OF the DELI
.ats traditions OF his Office. To marked
legree he has always stayed strictly
within the limitations of bis functions
IS defined by the constitution. We
lope to see himself and his eastern
riends defeated in the great struggle
head, but there ia neither fair play nor
,ood sense in representing singularly
man as trying to override
he constitution of his country or the
lecorous usages of party.