Arizona republican., 1904-03-10
PHoENIX. ARIz., MARCH 10, 1901.
Influence in Congress.

Presidential Influence in Congress.
 Several of the speakers in the Tue son convention laid emphasis on the fact that the president Of the United States does not interfere in legisla- ton pending before congress. and some of the speakers drew the inference that it would be absurd to suppose that MT. Roosevelt has expressed pre- ferences of his own in the statehood controversy.
 It would be permissible to draw this inference from other facts. but not from the premises stated. It is true that the chief magistrate does not in- terfere with the congressional policy interfere" is not the right word.
 Mir. Roosevelt has never interfered with pending legislation. No presi- dent has beer more careful than he to guard the presidential perogatives. or more conscientious in leaving to the legislative branch of the government the functions which belong to that branch. Nevertheless, no presiednt in our time has exerted, leGitimately, greater influence upon congress. The mere mention of two or three conspic- uous cases is sufficient to remove ali doubt
 Taking in order the chief legislative events of his administra ton thus far, who will dispute that the passage of the national irrigation bill. the bill legalizing the anthracite coal strike commission, the publicity bill di rected against the trusts the Cuban reciprocity bill, and the Panama canal treaty, in each instance, was due to the powerful influence O. the president?
 Each of the bills mentioned, as well as the treaty, was distinctively an ad- ministration measure, and could not have passed except for the backing given by the president. Most of our Arizona readers failed possibly to fellow the details of the other legisla- tion mentioned but none of them can have forgotten that we owe the na- tional irrigation law to President Roosevelt. The invaluable services rem GU ny tlllLtIlS OL DuI OH Ndllcy, and by men from various sections of the west. would have been fruitless had not the tremendous influences of the president been thrown steadily in favor of the measure. And Mir. Roose- welt was not then interfering" with congress. He was simply performing a legitimate duty of his office. The constitution of the United States, de- fining the powers and duties of the president, says;
 He shall from time to time give to the congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as ha shall judge necessary and expedient."
 IL is certainly no violation of the spirit of the fundamental law for the president to impart his views to individ- ual members of congress as well as to congress collectively. Tactful presi- dents, like Mckinley and Roosevelt, have succeeded in laying a guiding hand upon congress in many instances without wounding the sensibilities of the jealous lawmakers.
 Inevitably, the presidential influence in congress has grown in response to the popular desire. Tn the eyes Of the people, the administration" has come to mean great deal-congress, very little. It is generally believed that all measures of national importance must be in harmony with the "administra- ton policy" or they cannot pass, and this belief has a substantial founda- ton.
 The people of Arizona know very well that if this territory could have the positive support of the president in it's aspirations fer individual state hood, Arizona very quickly would be- come a state. They know. moreover, that if MT. Roosevelt could be fully convinced that Arizona ought to be ad- mitted without delay, he would not hesitate to make his views known in the proper quarter. His conscientious desire to do the right thing. and his readiness to assume responsibility upon all occasions cannot be questioned.
 knowledge of these facts furnished plenty Of ground for the fear that the president had been won over to the project of making two states out of the four territories.
 And it was known that if Delegate Rodey had not misrepresented MT Roosevelts position the danger threat ening Arizona's autonomy was grave, indeed.