The Washington herald., 1906-12-14
Let us UNFOLD the constitution.

| ficially, IN regard to the speech Secre-
tary Of State Root delivered before the
Pennsylvania Association III New York
Wednesday night. The speech was cas-
lily the principal topic Of conversation at
the Capitol yesterday, and most Of the
comments were distinctly unfavorable
Republicans joined Democrats in criti-
cising the utterances of the Secretary,
which were characterized as astounding
and remarkable" even by some OF the
most conservative Of the members of his
own party
There was marked disinclination on
the part of many Senators and Repre-
sentatives to discuss the speech for pub
lication. but in private conversation they
talked Of it freely. The disposition to
attribute the stand taken by Mr.. Root 10
suggestions from the President was gen
eral. and this rather accentuated the de-
gree OF warmth with which Republicans
expressed themselves. Coming. as il
does. on the heels Of other matters in
which. according TO the viewpoint Of some
Of the Senate leaders, the President has
gone rather too far. the speech has in
creased the feeling already existing be-
tween the north end Of the Capitol and
the White House. II is highly probable
that the subject VIII be debated in both
houses.
Legislators from the Pacific Coast gen
orally declined TO discuss Secretary Roots
utterances for publication, but privately
they criticised the President. whom they
seemed 70 think was responsible. -'The
President has been declaring that the less
said about the japanese question the
sooner It VIII be settled, and yet he in
structs Or permits the premier of his
Cabinet 10 deliver an address which. al
though it did not contain any direct ref
erences to Japan, must have the newt
able effect Of renewing talk about the
trouble resulting from the san Francisco
school incident. is. In effect, the opinion
expressed by men from the far West.
Indication of Roots Candidncyt
one Republican Senator who talked
privately about the matter, concluded
thus: This speech makes it clear that
Mr.. Root IS a candidate for the Presl-
dency. and that Capitalization is TO b.
one Of the issues Of the next Presidential
campaign II he is nominated
Il viii not be quoted In criticism Of
Secretary Roots speech" said another
prominent Republican member Of the up
per house, but I am utterly opposed 10
his whole argument. ! Go not regard 1t
as a strong argument. however attractive
II may seem TO be. And I think it is q
bad argument for the Republican party
That the speech is one Of several recent /
indications that the President favors the /
Of Secretary Root rather than /
Secretary Taft is the opinion expressed I
by more than one well-infOrmed Iegisla- |
tor. They cOncede that Mr. Taft was the I
favOrite up 10 a comparatively short time 1
ago, and they are unable 10 arrive at a 4
definite conclusion as 20 the reason for 4
the change Of front, if such a change has 4
actually occurred. Some are inclined to 1
think that the incident of the negro /
troops may have had something to do 4
with IT,
Rather Radical, Says Foraker.
I have not seen the text Of Secretary |
Roots speech, but only a descriptive ac-
count of it," said Senator Foraker, one
Of the prominent members Of the upper
house, who consented to make a state
Gent. 1T may be that what have read
does not give a just idea of what he said
The speech seems, however. 20 have been
rather radical in its advocacy and ap-
proval Of the Capitalization Of power, the
expression l read being that in an i'm
portant sense State lines are to be OBJ
terated
I DO not sympathiZe with that idea. 1
believe our dual form Of government is
most happy. and tha the constitutional
limitations were wisely provided. and that
they should be and will be upheld
Il was glad TO notice that Judge Brown
Who followed Secretary Root, forciIly
-eminded his hearers that the judicial
of the government has
power under the Constitution to preserve
and uphold it, even to the extent of re-
itraining all violations of its limitations
)y either Of the other departments.
I think that We had better hold on to
he Constitution" said Senator Foraker
n conclusion.
Secretary Root" said Senator Cul-
ON, has msde an interesting speech
md the reasons he gives for the changes
n cur constitutional system present
grave problems. 1 am not yet disposed To
hink that the remedy lies in any fUnda-
mental modification of the Constitution.
Ne can set along q while yet with that
document just as it is, and it will give
IS good government in spite OF the +
difficulties that may beset f..
''Fine Speech of Brown's"-Kean.
When Senator John Kcan, a member of
he Foreign Relations Committee, was
he said: You want to
know what think of Secretary Roots
ddress last night in New York? We'll.
think that Judge J. Hay Brown made
most excellent speech. That's all"
Judge Brown. it will be remembered.
ock conservative ground. and received
oud applause from his hearers for opin-
1ns quite the reverse of Mr.. Roots.
That speech Of Secretary Roots" said
senator Tillman, comes nicely in time
With the disclosures Of the BelIamv
'torer letters. Root was the only man
n the Cabinet who appreciated the poli-
les Of the President He seems now m
e the only enc who can expound them.
[ IS clear case of I, Me. Myself and
dy Policies 1 surely hope that Mr.
Root will stick to his new doctrine. and
hat it will be the issue in the next
Residential campaign. He VIII firi ouf
low this country feels about making
ounties out of States"
In my opinion, said Senator
CONrEN-r-a-r, ~ z-ox-yrrr No.