The times., 1899-12-03
SUNDAY. DECEMBER 3. 1899.
Speaker Henderson and the Presi-
dent.

Speaker Henderson and the Presi-
dent.
Time was when Mr. Henderson. fresh
from the embraces Of his independent lib
erty-loying constituents in the wild and
woolly West. viewed with alarm the
practical extinction Of the House Of Repre-
Beutatiyes by its Speaker and there were
occasions when the Iowa mans admirers
considered Reed as a thing shaken by the
wind OF the Hendersonian invectiye; but
that was before Henderson knew himself
for the successor TO the autocracy. Reed
left the House in the condition Of a man
tied to a tree by robbers. Henderson
comes along and listens calmly to the
victims cries for release. Does he release
the man. On the contrary, he says, the
White House Cannon, and GrOsvenor
agreeing. that the Reed rules OF bondage
and suppression are the things for jam
ming through the gold bill which shall
finally demonstrate the mendscity of Re
publican pledges in favor Of bimetaliism.
without which Mr. Mckinley could not
have been elected. So the Reed rules are TO
be adopted tomorrow, and Henderson. who
was used to denounce viii apply them to
the satisfaction Of MS masters, and TO the
total elimination Of representative govern
ment as far as the popular branch Of our
Legislature may be concerned.
Considering the way in which the Ad-
ministration frowned on Reed and his de-
hance OF parliamentary law and the Con-
stitution last year. we must assume that
the necessity for following in the foot
steps Of the despot must be an extreme
one. Il cannot be regarded as a popular
movement. and it certainly viii involve
Mr. Mckinley in responsibility Tor what
ever legislation may be nominally enacted
by the House under his orders to Speaker
Henderson. We are disinclined 10 believe
that be would willingly assume such a bur
den. in addition 10 the many he already
carries.
But, no doubt, as in other instances,
there is an inexorable power compelling
him 70 action which his own judgment and
conscience would bitterly oppose. if they
had any influence with this Administration.
Personally. he may not forget the wrath
fulness Of the American people over the
suppression Of their elected representa-
tives-suppression extending even to the
denial Of speech In the peoples parliament
On the other hand, It is probable that Mr
Hanna has reminded him that he is con-
fronted by "a condition and not theory,
and that the money classes will positively
not appear at the captains Office and settle
their fare for 1900, unless assurance is
made doubly sure that the gold and bond
deal with them is 10 be carried out, Demo
cratic ana Western Republican opposition
10 the contrary notwithstanding.
II is a very tight box in which to place
the President. and we should be inhumau
not TO feel sorry for him. He is being
forced 10 pay high price for his executive
whistle he Is already under heavy re-
sponsibilities. His veto power and his
patronage combined render him in effect
fifty per cent Of the legislative power o.
the Government. To this be is about Il
a5d the assumption OF all the functions and
duties of one-half Of Congress. This VIII
loave shat little independence may still liz
here in the Senate, a merely fractional and
III respect Of legislative results entirely
negligible quantity.
II is a shame to load down one official
So painfully and for himself so danger
ouzIy. There have been other Presidents
perhaps who did not mind the weight
Julius Caesar was energetic and patriotic
enough TO sacrifice himself for his coun-
trg good and TO absorb in his own person
ali -he functions and powers OF his as
sociate c0nsuls. OF the pontHex maximuz
chief justice. commander OF the troops
senate. assembly. and all the other agen.
cies 1i government. Caesar could stand IL
Ee was a man Of iron coustitution-whicl
had nothing ia common with the one Otter
recognized Ia the United States ia the
days before Reed-and Caesar did not hav,
- be reelected every four years We arr
convinced that Mr. Mckinley is hardly
young enough 10 endure the strain which
might follow q further and indefinite ex-
tension OF executive control over the Iegis
latiYe arm Of the Government; especially a.
The forces back Of his distinguished per
sonaiity would be unlikely to stop al that
The Supreme Court would sin be in th,
way Of those Sound business methods
which The financial and trust syndicate,
are determined 10 apply and enforce, frre
spcctiFe Of parliamentary. legal or con.
stituuonal distractions; and ultimately b.
might hne 81 necessary to re0rgaulze th.
Judiciary. Wit1 some crmiued Heularso
Ct lts head and eu appropriate code or e.
ec1tiFe rules for SIS guidance En- otsy.ns
executive orders, whether amaa4tus iron