The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-03-01
ONE MAN POWER.

One OF the most striking eVolut1onS
of modern craftsmanship, if we may
use the term, is the tremendous power
now welded by the Chief Executive
of the Nation. We speak of this
country as being governed by the
will of the people and not any con-
centrated form of government and
hold it up in marked contrast with
monarchies of the old world. In
point of fact, however, just the OPP
posite is the case. President McKin-
ley today wields a more despotic
hand than the present King of Eng
land would dare to exert, and in
many things he more resembles the
Gar of Russia than simply the Presi-
dent of a Republic. Sogreat has this
misuse of power become, that we,
the common people, have commenced
to recognize it is one of the divine
rights that the National Electoral
College confers upon the successful
candidate. Whittier it is driving US,
no human mind can now prophecy,
but it can be safely asserted that I'M
less q halt is soon called our country
will be a Republic in name only. Last
fall, during the heat of the political
campaign, when the question of Re-
public or Empire was brought forth
as probable issue, thepeople would
not listen, because they feared that it
was simply an argument created to
white coat imperfections in the plat
form of the Democratic party, so that
certain planks might be overlooked.
In other words, the people were
money mad. They feared anything
that might mean a debasement ofthe
currency or least a new adjustment
of values.
All this, however, is now ancient
history. The election of1900 taught
the Democrats lesson that will not
soon be forgotten. 1t is now too
early to begin the next Presidential
campaign, but significant forerun-
ners, however, indicate that when
that time approaches it will be found
that the real and not apparent is
sues will be the ones embodiedin the
campaign platform. Those who
have in the past borne the heat and
burden of the battle which led them
to hopeless defeat, do not regret the
stand that they have taken for the
equal rights of man and for the pres
ervation of the Union as it was in
tended by our forefathers, who franz
ed the Declaration of independence
and Constitution. But they will see
to it that no millstones are again
fastened around their necks. The
powerful independent press which in
the past has either been against them
or supported only certain portions
of either the Chicago or Kansas City
platform is now making overtures in
the way of suggestions which indi-
cate that on the fight of the live is
sues of the day their support may be
relied upon.
One of the best weeklies in the
United States, THE SATURDAY EVEN
ING POST, has an excellent editorial
on the Executives power in shaping
legislation. We take pleasure in re-
publishing it simply as straw, in
dicating the direction Of the wind.
1t says:
"One of the curious and startling
developments of modern government
is the rapid and almost incredible
concentration of power in the hands
of the Executive. The hardfought
battles and the strong opinions of a
century are being practically forgot
ten in the new legislation which Con-
gress is considering or granting.
If the idea of giving to the Presi-
dent of the United States the author
ity to legislate had been proposed to
our forefathers, there would have
been something akin to riot, and the
papers Of the land would have been
filled with dire prophecies of the fall
of Republican institutions. And yet
that is exactly what is asked in re-
port to Congress in regard to the
Philippines, and what would be
granted in a bill which Senator
Spooner introduced, which delegates
to the President the authority to
legislate in the Philippines when, in
his discretion, it shall become neces-
sary.
Our publicists have held forgenera-
tions that Congress has no authority
to delegate the power of legislation
to the President or to any other
branch of the Government; but it
seems to be certain that this will be
done in spite of all presidents, and