The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-04-12
HONOLULU d. T. APRIL Il, 1901
GROWING POWERS OF THE PResI-
DENT.

Ii Is popular notion in this eountr!
that the President is merely the ser
want Of the people, chosen to execute
the DEGREES Of Congress. and having
none OF the autocratic powers exercis-
ed by Congress. This popular notion
is correct so far as the constitutional
functions OF the President are con
oerned. At the same time there Is
much apprehension among students
of our political system concerning
"the growing powers OF the President"
In adjusting some Of the problems
growing out of the recent war we have
seen Congress practically abdicate in
favor OF the President. The trainers
of the Constitution rightly appreciated
that in a republic the popular branch
of the government must be paramount.
We have recently seen the President
become the autocratic ruler of hun
dreds Of thousands of people in Cuba
and OF millions of people in the Phil
ippines. He has appointed and remo'-
ed officials without asking the consent
OF the Senate The laws promulgated
by the Taft commission in the Philip
pines declare that they were enacted
by the authority of the President Of
the United States"-not of Congress.
or course everyone understands
that the President is exercising this
authority under the all-embracing
phrase OF war power" In the March
Forum, however, Henry Litchfe!d
West OF Washington shows that the
power OF the President is growing
through causes which operate daily,
and which are not accidental and ex-
traneous, like the sudden and unex-
pected acquisition OF territories be
yond the seas. Mr.. West discovers
the secret OF this executive power N
the golden stream" which flows
through the White House to the re-
hottest corners OF the republic This
stream has its source In the national
treasury.
The extent of this stream which the
President is able to divert into the
pockets OF his supporters is given by
Mr.. West as follows:
State Department
ss,naular nd flfplnfaaff~ aurofnf-
81. 100000
Treasury Department
Sts customs. revenue. marine hospital
etc ...... ............................ 6l'.SS
Postorice Department
s0ls postmasters ....................... 6,oSl0oo
Interior Department
Gs7 pension officials land Office agents.
etc 1891 Gao
Department Of Justice
Judges attorneys. marshsls. etc.. l,i2s,Ooo
Total slI. CO. pas
This list is by no means complete,
as il does not include the War and
Navy Departments owing to the diff
Guilty in ascertaining the exact num-
Der Of commissions issued Making
a conservative estimate, however, it is
safe to say that the President annual
ly offers 20 his friends and supporters
the sum of ss0.OOo.o0O. a total dis
tribution of sSO.0000oO during his
term Of Office.
Instances OF the all-prevailing POI
tency of this golden stream" in shap- |
ing legislation and promoting personal
political advantage are too well known
to need recalling at this time. Grant
and Garfield triumphed over cabals
and factions through the use Of this
power. while Harrison secured re-
nomination at Minneapolis through
the work OF oficeholders. The golden
prize Is dangled above the heads OF
Legislators. and they readily cringe
and bow before the executive. Con-
gress has bent fits neck to the yoke
OF the President upon numerous oc-
cssions within the last four yeaEs, no
tably In the case OF the Porto bean
tariff bill. Mr.. West believes that
American statesmen viii soon be
compelled TO undertake the task of
deyising some means to curtail the
Presidents growing power.