The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-06
FRIDAY, APRIL 6. 1900.
Presidential Usurpatiop.

II the Admiral of the Navy were never 20
perform another political service to lis
country be would still have earned its re-
spect and gratitude through the words
OF warning which he uttered at his WASH
ington home last Wednesday ITO my
mind said Admiral Dewey 1.-The office of
President as contemplated by the Constisu-
ton is wholly executive. 1t is not my idea
that the President should dictate to Con-
gress, but. on the contrary. believe be
should execute the laws which Congre s.
enacts faithfully and without fear or preiu-
dice
II is high time that the matter covered
by the foregoing two sentences should lie
brought wildly and fcrcefully to the atten-
ton OF the country. 1t is fortunate that
the message comes from citizen of Ad-
miral Dewey's commanding position and
Influence. because to what he says TIE
American people will give earnest con-
siderstion. 1t is true indeed that the
Office Of President as contemplated by the
Constitution is wholly executive" I'm
happily. il is equally true that under the
practice which began under Mr.. Cleveland
and has grown and fourished during the
present Administration. the Office has come
TO be something very different. 1t Is 70
longer strictly executive. Its present in
cumbent ard his predecessor have both re-
garded it as concentrating within itself the
power and authority TO initiate and control
national legislation.
By degrees the executive branch of the
Government has become practically the
whole Government. Outwardly, the old
form of things is preserved, but the spirit
and fact of the constitutional order have
departed. never to return while the trusts
and protected monopolies shall be able to
keep the Republican party in control of
the country. Through the power of the
party machine and a vast patronage be-
slowed solely in consideration Of political
service and seryility, an American Presi-
dent today is enabled TO say what legisla-
tive measures may or may not be passed in
the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives. and. b. his autocratic word, exact
from Congress whatever he and an inter-
ested syndicate OF outside associates may
desire. The Presidential Office at this mo-
ment is supreme over every branch of the
Government but the judicial branch, and,
at the present rate of progress, may be ex-
2ected 10 absorb even that by the simple
method of filling vacancies on the Supreme
Bench with subseryient tools of the trusts
This is not the constitutional conception
Of the Presidential office, but it is the
Hanna, Rockefeller. and Carnegie concep-
tion. The Constitution DEGREES three indie
pendent and coordinate branches OF gov
eminent. The trusts desire but one-an
Executive whom they can control.
For this terrible evil, which is sapping
the life and threatening the existence of
our institutions. there is but one remedy,
and that is TO drive from power the people
who are responsible for It. II they are al
lowed to remain in Office for another Presi-
Dental term. there is every reason to ex-
pect that they will still futher faster the
chains of trust slavery upon the Legisla-
ture, and perhaps make new and serious
inroads upon the Independent character OF
the Supreme Court.
Admiral Dewey has sounded 4 warning
note. The people who have heard should
act upon it.