Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-12
TWELVE PAGES.
THURSDAY, APRIL 70. 1900.
EXECUTIVE USURPATION.

The Hon. Grover Cleveland. in his
lecture on 1.-The Independence of the
Executive" before Princeton students,
has expressed some Views that come
with sense of strangeness from the
man who, as President, sent Federal
troops into State in defiance of the
Constitution and against the protest of
the State and City authorities. Nor is
Mr.. Cleveland more fortunate in the
time selected for this deliverance since
his successor in the Presidency is af-
fording a fine opportunity to parallel
Mr.. Clevelands views with actual
facts.
Speaking OF the Convention which
framed the Constitution of the United
States. Mr.. Cleveland gave this esti-
mate of the powers and limitations of
a President:
ITO the wisdom, OF the men who COM
posed the convention we are indebted
for the creation of an executive depart
ment. limited against any possible dan
ger of usurpation or tyranny, but, at
the same time, strong and independent
within its limitations"
IHeIe iS no uouDL that the men VINO
framed the Constitution intended to
guard against any possible danger of
usurpation or tyranny on the part of
any President who might be minded to
take a fling In either direction. There
Is also no doubt that if these same men
were alive to-day. or had been alive
during Mr.. Cleveland's administration
kI,oN
that. despite their safeguards, there
has been both usurpation and tyranny
For this departure FROM the sphere OF
Legitimate power marked out for the
Chief Executive. Mr.. Cleveland was
more responsible than any OF his pre-
decessors. though Mr.. Mckinley has
distanced Mr.. Cleveland In the case
or the Chicago riots and in his unwar-
Tanted interference with. and coercion
OF, the Legislative department of the
Government. Mr.. Cleveland was as ar
bitrary as any South American die
tator.
AS a matter of fact. there has been
a gradual encroachment of tho Proc
ddent on the powers of Congress unti,
to-day he is more nearly an autocrat
than the Queen of England, or tho
Emperor of Austria. The Constitution
gives him the veto power to start with
That balances him against anythinc
less than two-thrds vote OF Congress-
and enables him to tie the hands of tba
Legislative department OH a mniorit,,
OF questions. This Is an enormous ana
in many respects dangerous. mower
as Mr.. Cleveland showed quite clearly
An his administration. But the Presi-
dent has not been content with it. He
has sought to be not only negative
but positive factor in legislation
How this is done a sentence fran,
Speaker Hendersons famous Porto
Rican letter makes plain:
My Dear Mr.. Knott,-Yours o4tb
about Porto Rico is received. con'
not gather from your letter what va,
personally think Of our action in thn
House, or what you think OF THE,
PRESIDENT. WHO THOROJJGIJT.S
WITH NIGHT AND MAIN TO GET
THE HOUSE BILL PASSED. AND
HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE
SENATE"
So President Mckinley. who buys
Islands and people, and makes war out
side OF the Constitution, and the limits
1T sets to his power. and who has his
Constitutional veto power, seeks also
to dictate to Congress what it shall 40.
He not only desires to be able to say
what legislation 1t shall not pass but
he works with might and main" TO
force through such Legislation as he de-
sires. To this end he brings to bear all