The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-12-13
A Congressional President,

The Brook yn Eagle, observing that
The temperate and suggestive tone of
the Presidents message has excited
comment in England and in the Unit
ed States, finds he dominance of these
chsracterisucs in President McKinley's
long term of service, extending over a
period Of some twenty years, 10 Con-
gress and iu the popular branch Of that
body. Here, the Eagle says, IL has
been remarked that the message fails
10 rise o the occasion, aud in London
the newspapers express surprise at the
modest way IN which its ecOmmenda-
lions are made.
This kind Of comment, he Eagle Oh
serves, is easy, because it is superficial
and because it does not take into
account one fact that explains and IL
Eliminates the whole policy of the pres
cot administration. This fact is that
Mr.. Mckinley is the first congressional
President the country has had for many
years. President Harrison served one
teTm in the Senate, but he was not
much imbued with the congressional
spirit. A sharp contrast is drawn be-
tween M. McKunley's harmonious re-
relations with Congress, his ability TO
get from that body that for which he
asks, and the stormy career of Mr..
( | xo1 nd nh n oOplH ut oo,n,1;oko : bo
favor and good will of the real leaders
even of his own party in Congress.
President Artbur's tact and diplomacy
served him well in the place of con-
gressional experience. Lincoln was of
the people. He developed in the ex-
IRENE democracy of a new community
and was well grounded in the theory
and practice of representative govern
ment. And so with others who in the
last forty years have held the presideu-
tial Office None had had large, and
few any, congressional training.
Mckinley understands the way the
Congressional mind works. He I'M
rstands clearly where runs the
dividing line between the powers of
Congress and the powers of the Presi-
dent, and he keeps wisely on his side
of the liue. He is moderate and mod
est in his recommendations where
some at least of his predecessors have
been dictatorial and to whom Congress
has paid little heed except to curb or
snub. He knows that it is wiser to
treat Congress with the respect and
consideration due to its constitutional
place in the government, and, pursuing
this policy, he usually gets what he de-
sires, and is apt to find the same meas.
ure of success with the body which he
now "has on his hands," in the des.
pairing phrase of Mr.. Cleveland.
The Eagle is very likely right in this
view of the message, but much of Mr.
McKinley's success in his relations
with the legislative branch of the gov
erment is queslionably due to con
ciliatory temperament as well as to his
congressional experience, and this con.
ciliatory spirit is far removed from
weakness. The President has convic
tons on public questions, as clear anC
strong and possibly irmer than som,
: of his somewhat obstreperous prede
cessors, but, in wooing success, he ha'
proceeded upon the homely maxim
that one can catch more flies with mo
lasses than with vinegar.
, o. other features of the message h
Eagle with truth and justice remarks
; Ills calm and reasonable presentation
of the d fficultes In the way of trus
legislation and on tho necessity TO