The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-04-06
THE DUTY OF THE PRESIDENT.


Hon. Perry Belmont. of New York.
thinks that Admiral Dewey's statement in
regard to the enforcement of law shows he
has a very correct appreciation of the du-
ties of President. The admiral is reported
as saying that since studying the subject
he had become convinced that the office of
President was not such very difficult one
10 fill, his duties being mainly to execute
the laws OF Congress" He added: Should
be chosen for this exalted position 1
would execute the laws of Congress as
faithfully as L have always executed the
says this is Democratic doctrine and ex-
presses the true theory of popular govern
ment. 1t is no more Democratic doctrine
than it is Republican doctrine. and it does
not express the true conception of the
presidential office. That it is the duty of
the President TO execute the laws of Con-
gress is one of the plain requirements of
the Constitution that no person should
claim any credit for discovering or declar-
ing No President of the United States has
for President would ever dare to promul-
gate a different doctrine But the Presi-
dent has important duties and, at times,
large powers beyond mere execution of
the laws of Congress. Among his powers,
outside of enforcing the laws. are those as
commander-in-chief at all times of the
army and navy, as the negotiator of treat
les, and as the appointer of thousands OF
civil officers at home and abroad. AT ev-
cry meeting of Congress he must give that
body information of the state of the Union
and recommend such legislation he may
deem wise necessary. The foreign pol
icy of the United States is at all times in
the hands of the President, and in case of
war insurrection or domestic tumult he
must act without previous legislation by
Congress. In short, the idea that the Pres
ident is a mere ministerial officer, to do the
will of Congress, so far from being. as Mr..
Belmont says. the true theory of popular
government, is very far from the true
theory or the real practice. The President
of the United States should have had
training as a legislator and a Trainer
and interpreter of laws; he should be pro-
foundly versed in the Constitution and the
relations of the federal and state govern
ments; he should be a wise judge Of men.
i'm order that he may select the right per-
sons for important offices; he should be
schooled in the political history and the
traditional policies of the government; he
should be lawyer enough to know what
legislation is in force, and statesman
enough to know what to recommend; he
should be familiar with the policies OF
other nations, in order to protect the in
terests of our own: he should know when
and TO what extent he may rightfully use
the, army and navy; he should be able to
advise, direct. restrain and control his
secretary of state in foreign negotiations;
he should be as familiar with the affairs
of every department of the government as
should be trained publicist, a practical
statesman, an experienced administrator
and a big enough man to invest the ex-
ecutive branch of the government with a
dignity beyond that which pertains to
merely executing the will of Congress
Admiral Dewey was right when he said
he had not had any of the preliminary
training for the Office, and, of course. he
is wrong in his present conception of its
scope and duties.