The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-28
PRESIDENTS POWERS
As Defined by Senator Chandler,
of New Hampshire.
He CAN ONLY EXECUTE TEE LAWS

Congress Alone May Finally Determine
| the Question of Recognition of any For
eign Government Under the Authority
Vested In that Body by the Constitution.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Will
lam e. Chandler, of New Hampshire, has
written letter to the Washington Post
in which he says in part:
1.-The new immigration law, II 1t passes,
will require foreigners coming to live in
this country to read and write as test
flve lines of the United States constitu-
tion. There are certain five lines which
eminent Spanish American lawyers ought
to read.
Section 8. after enumerating in seven
teen clauses the powers of congress, adds
another, as follows: 80 make all laws
which shall be necessary and proper for
carrying into execution the foregoing pow
ers, and all other powers vested by this
constitution in the government of the
United States or in any department or
officer thereof
"a study Of the above clause may lead
some of the defiant advocates of an arro-
gantpersonal governmental the executive
mansion to revise their assertions. 1t is
not contended that the above Clause l9
gives congress power by law passed. over
veto by 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 presidentY To command the army
and navy; TO grant pardons; to make
treaties with the consent of the senate);
In int off ,ft hn Tpit tat
to convene congress and to adjourn it
when the two houses disagree; to- receive
ambassadors and other public minister's
to take care that the laws be aithfully OK
.ecuted; to commission officers of the
u nted States.
"The above are all the powers granted.
Compare them with the long list of powers
given to congress, including that to de-
clare war and to provide for the common
defense and general welfare, and ending
with the power given in the above clause
Is to make all laws necessary and proper
to carry into execution all tho powers
vested in the government or in any de-
partment or officer thereof
''Ihe president may command the army
and navy, but congress by law may give
him specific directions what to do with
them, to use them in any partic ular direc-
ton, or not to use them at all He may
grant pardons. 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 law Here is the only power to
make law not vested in congress
"He may appoint officers, but congress
may create and abolish the offices, and
regulate the power disappointment by civil
service rules; he is to commission all of
ficers but he can commission only those
who are appointed in pursuance of law.
He is to receive the foreign ministers.
Yes, but only ministers from those coun-
tries which congress chooses to have rec
ognized. II two governments are striving
for control Of country, congress may by
law declare which government the United |
States will recognize.
"lhe idea that the president has the sole !
prerogativo Of deciding what foreign gov
ernments shall be recognized by the United |
States has no foundation whatever in any
words to be seen in 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 what |
ever that whom 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 threatens to conduct himself otherwise, |
whether by action or non-action, the whole |
subject may be controlled by n law passed |
over veto, under the ample powers in |
congress granted by section of article |
Of the constitution, which are not re-
stricted nor limited in this respect by any
other clauses in the constitutions There /
Is no escape for tho advocates of monarch. !
ial government in Washington from the
provisions of clause Is, section 8, article l."