The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-10-06

and approves the wisdom OF his rival.
This he does in his speech OF acceptance,
which IS just as binding and quite as
diguihed as a telegram.
WIDELY AT VARIANCE.
Judge Parker. IL elected, would be in
sorry plight trying 10 get consistent
legislation al the hands OF dlscordant
party, out OF harmony with each other
and out Of harmony with himself.
Not until the Democratic party unites
upon some economic policy. or some
/ financial policy. or some insular policy.
or some trade expansion policy, for pur-
poses other than campaign use, will II be
wise TO elect a Democratic candidate.
however good or upright or learned such
candidate may be.
Notice another difference between party
plattrom and speech of candidate. The
Democratic national platform demands
thorough legislative investigation OF eX-
ecutive departments. but the nominee
upon this platform I'm his speech OF accept
quotes Thomas Jefferson as saying:
IT the three powers of our govern
, ment maintain their mutual independ-
, ence of each other. II may last long. but
not 80 II either can assume the author
ity OF the ether"
SUFFER FROM INCOMPETENCE.
The treausry department. and / doubt
not every other department. Is constantly
prosecuting Investigations. Within the
last three years not only the integrity
but the character OF the work OF more
than 5000 treasury clerks and officials Las
been investigated and reports of their
conduct filed with the secretary
This not only includes the Washington
force OF about 5000. but it includes the
clerical force and officials in the custom
houses and sub-treasuries In the larger
,s,f ~ ral nj
these Investigations have caused severe
criticism i'm some quarters and very little
commendation.
The government suffers a thousand fold
more from inefficiency than from ras-
cality but there being nothing spectac~
uar in the discovery OF inefficiency.' and
since removals for inefficiency are always
met by public criticism. l have never
known a congressional investigation for
the discovery OF this more frequent weak
ness so much as suggested. In fact, con-
gressional Investigations are seldom pro-
posed except Immediately preceding ma
tional campaign.
ARRAIGNS ALL THREE BRANCHES.
In his speech Of acceptance the Demo-
cratic candidate indicts all three co-or-
dinate branches Of the government in
this language; -
course OF our history executive depart
ments have employed powers not be-
longing to them" (Ths is aimed at the
presidency Statutes have been passed
that are expressly forbidden by the con-
stitution." (Thls is aimed at congress
Statutes have been set aside as uncon-
stitutional when IL was difficult 10 point
out the provisions said to be offended
against I'm their enactment" (This Is
aimed at the supreme court.)
What the laws shall be within the
limitations OF the constitution. congress
determines What the constitution Is or
shall be. the states determine. Whether
laws enacted by congress encroach upon
the constitution. the supreme court de-
termines.
But for the execution Of the laws re-
latng to administrative matters strict
constructionists like Mr. Jefferson thought
the executive branch was alone respon-
sibe. Mr.. Jefferson seemed TO think that
the executive branch was coordinate
with the legislative and the judicial
branches and that II was subordinate 10
nothing but the laws enacted by con-
gress as construed by the courts
During all the years of our history the
utmost harmony has prevailed between
these coordinate branches. and God grant
that harmony may ever prevail The dis
tinguished jurist candidate might have
said that the peace. happiness and per-
petuity OF this government are dependent
upon the mutual confidence and co-opera- =
tion prevailing between IT'S coordinate
branches, but as Thomas Jefferson has
not so said / see reasons why he should
hesitate 60 express an opinion on the
subject.