Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-05-24
THE LEGISLATIVE
AND THE EXECUTIVE
The Present Conflict Between Presi-
dent and Senator is by no Means the
First.

Washington. ID. G. May 1S.-(Spec-
fal correspondence of The Republican,
The present contest between Presi-
dent Roosevelt and Senator Foraker
is by no means unique in our political
history. Ever since constitutional
government was instituted there has
been a continued contest between the
executive and legislative branches. In
England the struggle between the king
and parliament lasted for centuries
until parliament was able to throw
around the crown such wall of power
as 10 reduce the crown to little more
than Il respectable figurehead. Since
the days of the elder Adams the same
contest has been going on in this coun-
try between the executive and con-
sress. but with a very marked differ
ence from that waged i'm England. In
England it was parliament that was
the aggressor, ever attempting to in
terferc with the prerogatives Of the
crown. looping off one here and cur
failing another there, until now hardly
anything Is left except the right of
succession. In America it has been
the executive encroaching on the leg
iStdAiNt. III no lllSldntt mas l0t ltRlS-
lative attempted to encroach on the
rights and powers of the executive.
unless the attempt of the senate TO
claim the right of amending proposed
treaties may be regarded as an en-
croachment. on the other hand from
the days of John Adams there has
hardly been a president who has not
claimed or exercised some power or
right that Washington or Adams
would not have dared to assert. Pat
ronage is the big stick welded by
the executive to punish or to deter
congressman from going counter to the
DEGREES of the White House. President
Washington got along admirably with
congress but he had trouble enough
with his cabinet to afford all the di-
version he needed. Evidently he went
upon the principle that congress pos
sessed all the legislative power. for
during his two terms he vetoed but
two bills. one was a bill alloting the
members of congress and he simply
pointed out that the constitution pro-
vided that the membership should not
be greater than one for each 10000 in
habitants and the bill gave to each of
ISM u AlAt Sl1lfS Il greater number
than they were entitled to. The other |
was a bill in regard To the military.
by which two companies Of Dragons |
would be legally out of the service |
but would not be actually out for |
some months and would thus be serv- |
ing without the power Of the admins |
tration 20 pay them. He had a little |
tilt with the house over its resolution |
asking for a copy of the instructions |
given the American minister regard |
ing the negotiation Of a treaty. Wash !
ington pointed out that the treaty |
making power was given by the con-
senate: that the house had no part in |
1t. and therefore he declined to furnish |
the information. The house was dis
posed to get angry butconcluded to
let it pass. Washington got along I
Well enoagif With the senate as a body. |
and with the senators personally. al
hOugh there We're two or three of them /
he did not trust, the chief being Aaron
Burr With his cabinet he had trouble |
from beginning TO end. Then the cab
net consisted OF only four members. |
The new constitution had been ratified |
only after a prolonged struggle and
doubtless thought it
would be best to unite all factions in
he administration and thus pledge |
hem To an active support of the gov
jefferson was secretary of
tate and Edmund Randolph, attorney
general, both from Virginia. Randolph |
vas loyal TO Washington and believed