Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-08
8, 1899.
THE PRESIDENTS UsuRPATION.

Not long since Senator Hoar Of Massa-
chusetts. in antagonizing Imperialism
uttered the warning that II imperialism
was TO obtain, "the constitutional powers
of the Executive, OF which our forefathers
were so Jealous. must be greatly enlarged
The constitutional powers Of the Legs
lature, the representative Of the people
and Of the States, must in a proportional
degree be largely diminished
OF the fact that in uttering this warning
Senator Hoar spoke with the inspiration
of q prophet we Already have striking
proof That proof we find in the Execu-
tives proclamation 10 the Filipinos. The
proclamation was signed at the Execu-
tive mansion ten days before Mr.. Nc
Kinley transmitted the treaty Of peace
with Spain TO tho Senate. BY issuing a
proclamation Of the character Of the one
I'm question, the President not only ignored
the rights of the Senate and of the peo-
pie in the premises. but considering the
date upon which it was issued he showed
Indecent haste in assuming the enlarged
powers for the Executive Of which our
forefathers were so jealous. BY the same
token he displayed the most arrogant
confidence that the representatives, of the
people and the States would acquiesce
I'm his autocratic proceeding and the dis
regard of the constitutional powers of
Congress virtually involved. In no word
or line Of the deliverance does Mr.. Nc
Kinley recognize any power in the mat
ter save his own will. Read the follow
ing from that doliverance
with the signature of the treaty of
peace between the United States and
Spain by their respective plenipotentiaries
at Paris on the 10th instant, and as the
result of the victories of American arms,
the future control, disposition, and gov
Srnment of the Philippine Islands are
coded 10 the United States. In fultilment
Of the rights of sovereignty thus acquired.
and the responsible obligations OF govern
ment thus assumed, the actual occupation
and administration OF the entire group
Of the Philippine Islands becomes imme-
uiately necessary aud the military gov
eminent heretofore maintained by the
United States in the city, harbOr and
bay Of Manila is to be extended with all
possible dispatch TO the whole Of the ceded
territory
The Springfield CMass.) Republican, in
commenting on this language, especially,
takes the same ground the Dispatch took |
yesterday Acting. says the Republican, |
upon his unwarranted assumption Of ex- |
elusive and autocratlc power, Mr.. Nc |
Kinley orders operations by his generals |
In extending American sovereignty by |
military force weeks before there Is any |
prospect of his being lawfully invested |
by constitutional processes with the |
power 80 do the things he orders done. /
The President, therefore contends our
contemporary. becomes an usurper of |
power that does not belong to him, deals
wicked blow at Congress, and begins
the erection of a dangerous Executive
autocracy in the foreign relations of the
republic. Then the Republican makes
this point:
IF he Ghe PresidenD can ignore the
constitutional rights Of the Senate in this
manner in order 10 faston his grip upon
distant territory. In defiance OF the wishes
OF the inhabitants, he can at any time.
under the plea OF necessity, ignore the
Constitution entirely and set up any gov
eminent he pleases in these United
States"
And the point is one that Congress and
the people would do well 10 consider. TO
the end that a halt be called in the en-
largement OF the powers Of the Executive
ere It is too late TO save our republican
institutions. Whether the Senate ratihes
the treaty or not and whether or not
the House votes the necessary appropria-
ton 10 give the treaty force and effect,
both ought TO find some way OF teaching
Mr.. Mckinley that he is not the Govern
ment Of the United States.