The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-08-27

exist with a real conservatism of &C.,
 ton that makes it as certain as it was
 under Mir. Mckinley, that no policy
 will be followed needlessly exposing
 the interests of the country to the peril
 of war. An, But it is said, wait until
 he has a free hand after the election.
 Then you will see him in his true light.
 It Is difficult to answer such gratui-
 tous suggestion. founded as 1t must
 be on the assumption that man like
 Theodore Roosevelt whose candor and
 honesty are so patient that he almost
 thinks aloud, has been playing a part
 for three years and is only awaiting
 the success of the election to throw off
 the mask. It Is too ridiculous for dis
 cussion.
 But now what specific thing is MT.
 Roosevelt accused of? First, 1t Is
 charged that he influences legislation
 and transgresses the line which under
 our system should exist between the
 executive and the legislative branch.
 That 1t Is unconstitutional for the President to confer with the members of the House and Senate and to seek to influence them with respect to leg islation is a new doctrine in thls re-
 public. In the first place. the consu-
 tuition gives him the express power
 and right to communicate with Con- gress in giving his views with respect to legislatiin.
 "In the second place he Is made co ordinating factor in the legislative branch of the Government for he has the power to veto any act passed by both houses and 1t cannot become law unless repassed by a two-thirds vote in each house.
 Now then Is 1t possible that in conversation with members or each House he may not repeal the recom- mendation made in his communication to the House in writing, or in view of their joint responsibility for legis- lation he may not advise with them at any time and convince them, if he may. of the wisdom or unwisdom of | the proposed legislation? Criticism | founded upon such a proposition Is eVi- dence of the weakness of the position | of our adversaries.
 This brings me to the criticism of the President, that he has departed from l. his former high ideals. No charge IS more unfounded than this. He IS as much in favor of clean methods ne IS much opposed to the spells system. he believes in honesty and efficiency in the administration of the government and the enforcement of the civil service | law as completely as he ever did or every proposed to do. He is doing ev- erything in his power to maintain ms ideals Were he to take course marked out as the proper one in such criticism and ostracise so far as con ference with him Is concerned, the
 members of his party whom the mug
 wumps do not approve. he would dlvlde
 his party. tie his hands and destroy ut terly his power for usefulness to 'Ae country"
 Mir. Taft briefly discussed the recent
 service pension order and the Panama case. defending the President from the charges of usurpation of power ana abuse of the constitution. Taking up the action of President Roosevelt in appointing the coal strike arbitration board. he said:
 Nothing has commended him more | to the people of the United States than his action in this matter and to mako | if the basis for an attack on him only shows how ridiculously short of ma terial his enemies are. Will Judge Parker say he was not right in what he did? Would Judge Parker have done the same thing? think not. | think not because think he has shown hims so timid in meeting issues that we may infer he would have sheltered himself behind the plea that as he had no constitutional power as President to I Justified in doing 1t as a private citi- | gen"
 MT. Taft spoke briefly along the same lines in defense of the administrators position in the matter of the post ofice frauds and then took up the ! Philippine question. saying:
 The Republicans hope that the time | may come when they may be safely | granted independence and thinks 1t will come. but the reason why they are not ! in favor of promising that is because | such a promise will greatly mislead | the Filipino people and greatly com | plicate the situation in the Philippine 1 Islands with respect to the success of | the present government there and their | orderly continuance. No compromise
 can be made to Filipinos except that we ! will grant them Independence when
 they are fit for complete self-govern- l ment."
 New York. Aug. 26.-Through Gen l eral Von Plessen. AdJutant General to | EmDprOr William of Germany, the