The sun. (Jacksonville, Fla.) 1905-1908, 1906-05-26
THE SUN

ernment," is the opinion of the Memphis CONNER
cal-Appeal, which further declares that 1.-The very
fact that the President played fast and loose IN an
attempt to shape legislation to his will demonstrates
the wisdom of maintaining q we'll defined barrier
between him and legislation 1t shows that with the
slightest opening in such q barrier the temptatioh
to dominate is stronger than political probity GIVEN
the power then, to proceed the inch unquestionaby
the ell will be taken which would mean, as, indeed,
this encrOachment is meaning, passing OF the run
damental principles of our republic"
Concerning this matter of Executive meddlesome'
ness, Governor Vardaman of Mississippi, who some
day will represent his State in the United States
Senate, said:
81 regret that they (Tillman and Bailey over.
looked the finest opportunity of the decade to read
the President good, Oldfashoned Democratic les
II, when they were called in consultation, they
had said We will be glad to advise with you con.
corning any matter pertaining to your Office as Chief
Executive or to aid you in any way in our power
in the performance of your official duties. but we
decline absolutely to discuss with you all Legislative
matters, they would have rebuked and Justly,
growing tendency the part of executive officials to
encroach upon the franchises and powers of legisa
tive officials"
According to the plans of Mr.. Taft, Secretary of
War, supplies for the Panama canal work will be
purchased abroad whenever possible to do for less
money than will have to be paid at home. Some
protest has been raised account of this procedure,
but has proved unavailing, and the American people
may consider that the following Defense offered by
the New York Tribune, an Administration organ, is
sufficient explanation from an Executive standpoint,
of such action:
"The canal zone is not part of the United States.
1t Is not within the sphere of operation OF the United
States tariff law, and, according to a part of the
supreme law of the land it cannot be included with
in that sphere. Since then, it is and must remain
open to the trade of the world without tariff restric
tions, why should not our Government purchase for
use there goods from whatever market will supply
them on the most advantageous termsH The tariff
as measure of protection to domestic indus
tries il not concerned in it at all. Secretary Taft
has not let down the bars and does not propose to
do in the slightest degree, so far as the United
States is concerned All he proposes is the rational
arrangement that Americans-and the American
Government-when in foreign country may pur-
chase for in that foreign country goods in for.
eign market, If they find they can do so more avan-
tageously than they can send home to America for
Them
cleaning by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission continues, and the Pennsylvania Railroad is
the brOiler Sensational stories of graft and
extOrtOn have been brought to light and practices
employed by officials of the road to enrich them.
selves by preying upon coal companies have been
revealed. The scandals closely to the president
of the road his son, X. X. Cassatt is shown to
have profted greatly through the hold.up of coal
operators.
The Philadelphia Press, discussing the matter,
asks:
what Is the of forl6dding the railroads n
own coal and iron properties if, as the disproceful
revelations of the Pennsylvania Railroad have shown,
the officers and subordinates of railroad accent
stock in the mines, take brides and use their official
power to promote their private property and personal