The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-02-14
PRESIDENT Or DrorAronq

AHS NHlVIlCHll pcopIc nave CHtCTCN
upon now phase Of political expert.
ence. For tho frat timo since tho
foundation OF this republic tho spec.
taclo Is presented OF IN American Prcsi-
don't actively and Systematically using
AIl tho powers Of his great Office to com.
pol tho passage OF legislation which he
demands md tho confirmation OF nomi.
ncca who Oro his personal followers.
Tho country has had ambitious prosi-
dents in tho past; mon who were not
always mindful Of tho Just limitations
OF executive authority. and who some
times sought to influence the acts Of
the lawmaking power. but until tho
second inauguration OF Grover Clevc.
land 1t never had Il President who do
ltboratUly undertook; to dictate legisla-
ton TO tho legislators, who pcrsistGntiy
treated tho people and their elected
representatives with contempt and who
arrogantly announced his purpose, in
insured newspaper articles. to "mas-
ter the Congress OF tho United States.
Tho Press recently printed u striking
prophecy, uttered by Thomas II. BEN
ton sixty years ago, and predicting the
Increase OF presidential power through
tho increase Of federal patronage. The
0minont Missouri senator said
"Wc must look forward to tho time
when the public revenues will be
doubled, when tho civil aud military
officers OF the federal government will
DO quadruplNd. when its influence over
individuals will DO multiplied to I'M in
definite extent, whom tho nomination Of
tho President can carry any man
through tho senate, and his recon-
incubation can carry any measure
through tho two houses oil Congress,
when the principle Of public action will
be reduced to this: The Prcsiden.
wants my vote and want his patronage.
| will vote rs no wishes. and he will give
mo the offices | wish for. What will
this be but the government OF one
MANI
This time has already come so lar rs
one branch ot Congress is concerned.
The President is the autocrat OF The
house Of representatives. The most
subservlent English parliament never
obeyGd Tudor or Stuart with moro
abject slavishncss than that with which
tho majority i'll tho house obcys Ceve-
land. IlG cracks the whip; and tho
cuckoos cringe in terror. He promises
offices in return for votes: and the I'M
manly crew tread on each others heels
in their cagerncss TO do his bidding. \
majority OF northern Democratic repre-
sentatives were unQuestionably opposed
to the Wilson starvation bill with its
reasonable assault on northern in
dusiries md its odious provisions
for employing q horde OF spies 10 pry
into the private affairs OF citizens. Some
OF them had bitterly denounced the
bill. Got nearly all these men swal-
lowed their own words, and betrayed
the interests of their constituents by
voting for the measure under Mr..
Cleveland's orders, The infamous plot
of the President to strike down n
friendly government and restore say
ago despotism in Hawaii has aroused
tho Indignation OF the whole American
people. But the commands OF the ad-
ministration wero sufficient to induce
the Democratic representatives to pass
the MCCreary resolutions grossly SIAN
derinG courageous and honorable
American minister and indorsing the
most disgraceful act in the annals OF
modern diplomacy.
The senate has not vet been INA :
tered" That illustrious body, especial
ly designed by tho founders OF tho re.
public TO withstand executive usurpa-
ton, has so far refused to surrender its
constitutional prcrogatives ut tho de.
mand OF tho white house dictator, or to
barter its rightful authority for official
brides. The senate is the only barrier
which is lett standing against tho per-
sonal depotism OF the President; and
the administration is using every means
Mt its command to undermine this bar
ricr or break it down. The nomination
OF PeckhaIn, following the rejection OF
llornbloWcr, was direct challenge to
the senate. The senate Judiciary COM
mitteo will have an opportunity to-
day to show that it cannot be cocrced
by presidential! means or influenced by
oilers OF patronage. The presidents
nominee is unfit for the bench OF the
supreme court. His notorious irasc.
bi!lty, his narrow and intense partisan
ship and his open expressions OF con-
tempt for the senate demonstrate his
incapacity fora position which requires,
first OF all, 4 judicial temperament and
profound respect Tor the constitutional
rights Of each coordinate branch OF the
federal government. y bigoted free
trader, who is currently reported to
have been an active member OF the Cob.
den club. his nomination should DO
resolutely opposed by every Republican
senator.
The methods which have been adopt
cd to compel Peckham's confirmation
are an insult to every self respecting
senator. Threats OF presidential dis.
pleasure have been mingled with official
iavors for those who will vote in ac-
cordanco with tho Presidents demands.
On the one hand, administration organs
have proclaimed tho Presidents pur-
pose to knock down and tramoled
upon the senators who oppose him :;
on tho other offices have been freely
and openly bestowed in order to induce
senators to vote for Mr.. Cievclands OBJ.
noxious nominee. No graver duty can
rest upon senators than the de-
ienso OF tho national government
from tho entertainments OF one
man power. A dictator need not
always possess a standing army.
Brides arc often more potent than bay
onots. The official patronage OF this
vast nation, corruptly used. affords an
implement OF personal ambition US dan.
eerous as the prmtorian guard OF the
C@sars. The rejection OF Peckham's
nomination will be 4 rebukc which the
President and his devotees will under
stand. 1t will protect the supreme
court from the intrusion OF Grover
Elnualnnl,a nriuntn hntrnl, nnA