Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1904-11-04
EXECUTIVE USURPAIION.
Not in a Republican Congress TO Oppose
4 Republican President.

Secretary Of War William ii. Taft.
speaking for the administration At the
Union League Club meeting on Thurs
day night, quoted from Judge Parkcr'S
letter of acceptance this, ana proceeded
TO criticiSc 1t:
ALREADY the National Government
has become centralized beyond any
point contemplated 10y the trainers OF
the Constitution How tremendously
all this has added 10 the power of
the President 1t has developed from
year to year until il almost equals hat
of many mOnarcIs.'
Thcn Secretary Taft has this COM
mcnt to make:
'In what respect does the Executive
to-day exercise any more power han
he did In the time of Washington and
jefferson? 1t may be that the Presi-
lent of the United States exercises
more power under the Constitution
than many mOnarchS. II this is true
10 day. ii is because the Constitution
builders put the instrument into force.
But if ii We're otherwise. If there has
been an e"ncroachmcnt by the EXecu-
tive on the legislative and judicial
branches OF the Government. why does
not the Judge point out where these
usurpatiOns are. so that he may prom
Use to the people that under his admin
istration such uSurpations will not be
continued"
Again continues Secretary Taft:
The possibility of improper limita-
ton of executive power by Congress Is
real, but the danger that the Executive
will usurp the functions of the Legis-
lature is n mere %hobgoblln, because the
Legislature has always at It's command
that which In England won from the
most arbitrary kings liberty for the
pcOple-thc power over the public
purse. Mere inactiOn by Congress
would render the President powerlcSS."
Judge Parkcr's assertion as to the
Capitalization Of power In the Govern
ment is most a%bundantly warranted by
abuses too VIGOROUSLY patent to need
specification. Not Il few administra-
tionS have seen this question undrr dis
CEssiOn In Congress. and before the
people OH the l%uStings. II Is by no
means Il new question. 1t was last
most seriously debated during the adj
miniStrati0n OF President Grant. New
or before has the question of central.
iHniiOn of power assumed so grave an
aspect ms uudrr the administration
of Mr.. Roosevelt. Since the day he
took the oath of office. after the death
OF William Mckinley, Theodore ROOsc-
volt has bCnt every energy Of an en-
~CcptiouHlly energetic nature to pre- mot.
ing his WI succession. aud in the pur.
suit of that object he has time and
again trauSgrCssrh the Legitimate
sphere OF his executive functions.
Mr.. Taft was IN the Philippines
when Mr.. Roosevelt was h0ssimg his
Republican Congress. aud there were
things about Congress he didn't see.
There were Republicans IN that Con.
grCsS wlO several times cvincrd synp.
toms of revolt. hut the power OF the
Executive was quickly brought into
play aud the would. be party r~ccalci.
trants were inCoutinCmtly whipped into
line.
II Is the vcricst idic twaddlc II speak
IN this connection 0f Tho LCgiSlH.
turc" having the power to make the
Executive pUwCrlrrs. What Is the now.
G" of the Legislature worth so long ns
il IL uncxCrciscd when II most needs to
hc exercised? Did u Republicans Con.
gross ever dare to oppose u Republican
EXcCu;ivcI If II has ever been crit.
Ciscd by Republican members. II has
been 10y indirsctiOn. with thU final re-.
suit that tho vote Of the ItopnbIicuu
Legislature has been with the fxccu.
tive. The Republican Congress has
done President linoScyclt's bidding nb.
JcCtly and scrvilcly. the while It's in.
dlvlduals In private criticised and even
cursed his fatu0us laundering.
Congress may. Indeed. under tho