The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-28

Section S-After enumerating In IL
clauses the powers Of congress adds an
other as follows:
18-To make all laws which shall be
necessary and proper for carrying into
execution the foregoing powers and all
other powers vested by this constitu-
tion in the government of the United
States or in any department or officer
thereof
A study of the above clause may lead
some fthe defiant advocates of an ar
rogant personal government at the exc
cutive mansion to revise their assertions.
1t is not contended that the above
clause Is gives congress power by law
passed over a veto by q two-thirds
vote to interfere with any power made
exclusive in the president by express
words or necessary implication. What
are the powers expressly given to the
president?
Ito command the army and navy.
ITO grant pardons.
S-To make treaties with the consent
OF the senate).
ITO appoint officers OF the United
States.
5-To convene congress, and to ad-
journ II when the two houses disagree.
public ministers.
ITO take care that the laws be faith
fully executed.
8--To commission officers of the United
States.
The above are all the powers granted.
Compare them with the long list OF
powers given to congress, including that
to declare war and to provide for the
nd lfa
and ending with the power given in the
above clause Is, to make all laws neces-
sary and proper to carry into execution
all the powers vested in the government
"or in any department or officer thereof"
The president may command the army
and the navy. Yes but congress by law
may give him specific directions what
to do with them to use them in any par
ticular direction or not to use them at
all. He may grant pardons. Yes. this
is an exclusive and uncomfortable
power, but congress may by law open all
prison doors and let the criminals go
free. He may make treaties with the
consent of the senate and they become
laws. He is the only power to make law
not vested i'm congress. He may ap-
point officers. Yes, but congress may
create and abolish the offices and regu-
late the power OF appointment by civil
service rules: he is to commission all
officers. but he can commission only
those who are appointed I'm pursuance
Of law. He is to receive the foreign min
listers. Yes, but only ministers from,
countries which congress chooses to
have recognized. If two governments
are striving for control OF a country
congress may by law decide which gov
eminent the United States will recog-
nixe, and the president Is bound to obey
the law and receive minister from that
government and refuse to receive a min
lister from the other. The idea that the
president has the sole prerogative Of de-
Gliding what foreign governments shall
be recognized by the United States has
no foundation whatever I'm any words
to be seen I'm the constitution. The fact
that the president has recognized new
governments without congressional ex-
preston, when congress and the people
have approved his action. Is no proof
whatever that when they disagree with
him they cannot control him by law.
He Is their agent, and when he does
what they want him to do no law Is
needed. When he threa tens to conduct
himself otherwise. whether by action or
nor action. the whole subject may be
controlled by law passed over veto.
under the ample powers I'm congress
granted by section Of article of the
constitutions which are not restricted
nor limited In this respect by any other
clauses I'm the constitution. There is no
escape for the advocates OF monarchial
government I'm Washington from the
provisions Of clause 1S section =. arti-
Gle 1.
II is singular that the only two presi-
dents who have undertaken To defy con-
gress have been Andrew Johnson and
Grover Cleveland. The one tried To Gre
ate and maintain against the will of
congress 10 new state governments In
this Union, the other claims the right
against the will of congress to aid In
sustaining q broad and bloody tyranny
over an oppressed nation
n n -