The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1906-06-28

II constantly and successfully. 1 agree
with what the gentleman from Kentucky
tMr Sherleyl said awhile ago. and have
beard the chairman of his committee
IMr. Tawneyl make the same kind of an
objection q dozen times to either things
that this government Is drifting into o
government of bureaus. Instead OF con-
gress running the United States lot OF
bureaucrats are running 1t. We pass
law. What is the business of the execu-
tive department? l do not care straw
whether II is the president or member
OF the cabinet or some understrapper.
The business OF every one of them is to
rigidly enforce and carry out the laws
which we pass. The way to get rid OF
bad law Is TO enforce II. Let us see what
Mr.. Sargent says. Here is an extract
from the hearings before the approprla-
tions committee which most heartily
commend to all who favor government by
congress instead of government by bu-
reaus:
Mr.. Sargent--We are not doing so active
business as we were few months ago.
That is the reason this appropriation
mas not been consumed.
Mr. Sullivan of Massachusetts - From
whom did you receive the instructions not
10 enforce the law?
Mr. SARGENT received the instructions
from the head of my department the Sec
Tetary of the department of commerce and
about the boycott in China he thought it
would be unwise to make the arrests. as
we had been previously doing. of China
men found unawfully in this country.
And of course always obey instructions.
We were expected. under the law. to take
into custody those who had been here un-
lawfully, and that was what / was doing.
Sinking Duty.
II always obey Instructions he says.
and that Is precisely what the rest OF
them ought to do-obey the instructions of
congress expressed by statute or by reso-
Iution-and the chairman of this commit
tee and his great committeeman / give
them ample credit for 1t. all they are en-
titled to--have been fighting during this
entire congress, and matter of fact
the fight was begun in the last one to
break up the practice of government off,
cials violating the laws which we pass.
Yet here is most fragrant case of the
executive department failing to carry
out the will of congress by shirking its
duty to the people. Certain department
omciais appear to lie awake of nights
studying the art of how not to do it.
Some of them appear to think that the
only proper function of congress is to
make appropriations to pay their salaries.
OF course there are plenty of good and
conscientious men among them who do
their whole duty.
~ WAS d matter OF common rumOr IOur
or five months ago, when this boycott was
first talked of, that there was danger OF
the present secretary of commerce and
labor being compelled to resign his posi-
fion because he did not agree with the
policy of the president touching these
Chinese. Now, 1t turns out that after
congress soiemnly passed a law-and that
law was not passed In corner either: 1t
was passed after weeks of hearings before
the house and senate committees on
foreign affairs and after n great debate
In this house and after long tussle with
the senate conferees. who did not want
any bill that would really exclude China
men: that is the truth about it-and after
we got that law on the statute book and
after we appropriated the money to en-
force II the secretary of commerce and
labor. according to The statement of Mr.
Sargent. practically suspends law pass
ed by the American congress and signed
oy the president of the United States. II
This modus operandi is to be perpetuated
we might as well resign and go home
and turn the whole thing over to the ex-
scutlve department. thereby saving to the
taxpayers OF the country the expense of
the congress The sooner
every federal official In this country is
aught the important lesson that when we
pass any sort of a law It shall be en-
orced to the letter the better it will be
or everybody and the more effectively
his governmer .tl be run.