The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-27

which it now reaches. The constitu-
ton of the United States declares that
the three branches of the government
shall be distinct and Independent OF
each other. The only connection be-
tween the executive and legislative
powers is that which declares that the
president shall from time to time
give to congress information OF the
state of the union and recommend TO
their consideration such measures as
he shall judge necessary and expedl-
emit and hat giving him the rlght 10
veto bills passed by congress-. Sucn
| recommendations from the president
as to what he considers necessary
legislation must be by means OF mes
sages to congress-, that is, public mes
sages addressed to the entire body.
1t has Of late become the custom for
the president to send for certain SEN
| ators and congressman and express to
them privately his vieWs-for or
against any pending measures and to
urge his friends in the other branch
of the government to carry out his
views either in securing the passage
or defeat Of such measures, as the
case may be. This is in violation OF
the spirit if not of the letter of the
constitution. Nc where in that docu-
ment is the president authorized either
by public message or private intervle"
with congressman to attempt to pre-
vent LEGISLATION of any kind. He can
,,1I;oIy raoopproond moa c1Ira9 hnt he
has not the right to open his mouth
against pending bills and can only ex-
press his disapproval of such after
thew come to him for his signature
and then by vetoing them and publicly
giving to congress his reasons for so
doing. When he does otherwise he
violates the constitution and his oath
of office.
During President Roosevelt's admin
istratlon this custom of announcing
that such and such a bill was an ad-
{ ministrative measure or that the bill
2 had the approval of the president,
E coupled with the known fact that the
president has made himself very ottlc-
ious regarding a number of bills pend
= ing i'll and has often sent fol
{ congressman and senators to confer
with them regarding pending meas
i ures or others to be introduced, TX
pressing his approval or disapprova
It of the same and urging their passage
n or rejection has called forth a harsh
but just, criticism from many men o
s his own party. Senator Hoar a few
is days ago on the floor of the senat
e administered to the president quite
IS rebuke for this unlawful interference
l. with the duties and rights of a co
ordinate branch of the government
lie The senator said that the time for tn
president to make. up his mind abou
n statutes is after congress has passe
lie upon them and not before, unless n
at avails himself of his constitutions
n privilege to make ommunication I
the entire body by message.
h The Roosevelt administration seem
n to be trying to establish the practic
" of the British house of common
lg which through precedent has becon
on the law, where the appropriation bill
ly revenue bills and such measures al
introduced only by the cabinet men
ne berS holding seats in that BODY ar
are truly government feasures, ar
lis where the members of the opposite
.te give notice and ask leave of the m;
e. jority, which, of course, is always
or the government party, for the lntr'
n duction of any measure of cons
to uuence. our congress is not base
upon the same rules as that OF Il
-- hut II
British house or commons Out II
n being fast patterned after it in r
10. spect to the administration shapir
its action.