The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-23
Ghe Wessenger.
THE AMERICAN AND THE BRIT
ISH GOVERNMENT.

oA
The British king opens parliament
from the throne. The Messenger a few
days ago published an article to the
Baltimore Sun from its Washington
correspondent in which it was said
b a in the first years of our republic
the president on the assembling of
congress went to the capitol in person
just as do the sovereigns Of Great
Britain, after whose government ours
is modelled. This Sun article went on
to say that the constitution of the
United States provided for the presi-
lent consulting with the members Of
the senate when it had under consid-
Grafton treaties with foreign nations
or other executive business. A careful
perusal of the federal constitution will
reveal nothing to the contrary. On
the other hand it's terms indicate that
the president has the right to meet
with the senate On such occasions and
to consult and advise with it on ques-
lIOliS pcl ldilllli5 W nc SACCutlNS DusA-
ness of the government. We are told
that during George Washington's term
tue president exercised this pre-
rogative that Mr.. Washington did
sit with the senate when it was hold
ing executive sessions. 1t is further
stated tat the first two presidents of
the United States, George Washington
and John Adams, at the opening ses-
sion Of congress appeared before that
body i'll person and read their annual
message just as has always been the
rule i'll England and as is kept UP to
this day. Mr.. Jefferson was the first
president to 'seEd in his message to
too much opposed to carry out the
idea ami following the custom of the
British kings Of delivering their mes
sages in person. Since he days of
Mr.. Jefferson the rule established by
him has been observed by the presi-
dents of the United States. But this
w Ai'b y liz i"NS tANO NAO
laws and the constitution of this coun-
try provide for the sitting of the pres
ident with the senate when it is in ex-
ecutive session. We suppose were Mr..
Roosevelt to do such a thing that
that there would be a vigorous pro-
test from one end of the country to
the other. 1t would be declared that
he was attempting to suppress free
discussion by the senate of the matters
be had laid before it; that he was
attempting to coerce the members of
that body into adopting his views in
the measures laid before them. Still
just such action on his part is express
ly provided for in the federal constitu-
ton and the privilege was exercised
by the first president. Should Mr..
Roosevelt or any subsequent president
claim the right to exercise the priyi-
lege exercised by George Washington,
and which is guaranteed to him as it
was tc the first president there would
&c SuSh a lux civ bS a. lICSSA was
before raised in this country. With
DIR constitution definitely defining the
powers and privileges of the heads Of
the different departments of h gov
eminent there seems to be more un-
certainty than there is as to the duties
and powers of the several branches Of
A. D-:x:-I -I:.l -. nv
Quoted and governed under it's unwrit-
ten constitution. The duties and pow
ers of the crown, and of parliament are
much more clearly defined by the un-
written law of that realm and are more
clearly understood than are the terms
Of the written constitution of the
United States. There is never raised
there any question as to the powers
of the king Or as to how far parliament
can go IL the way of encrOachlnent on
those powers. The rights, the powers
and the duties of each branch Of that
government are clearly defined and
distinctly understood and there is
never any question raised us 10 Iue
encroachment of one branch Of the
government on the prerogatives of an
other us is so frequently done in this
country under our written constitution
which purports to define the powers
and duties of each branch of the gov
eminent.
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Dyspepsia-baL9 of human existence.