Durango semi-weekly herald., 1907-02-28
LRoiaLATIvE PROCEEDINGS AND
PARTY RESPONSIBILITY.

The republican party In the recent
campaign in this state went on record
fos tAs passAge Of certain laws tLat
weuld keep the party In line with the
policy that has the ap-
preval Of such an overwhelming ma
5ofity Of the nation.
Whateyer may be the theoretical
notion regarding the obligations OF the
several departments OF government
ons to the other. the actual conditions
are, that the chief executive Is held
responsible. For the time being, be
fore the people he stands for tile
PARTY: he has to outline the party's S
policies.
Nsmbers Of the legislature are eiest'
ID from counties or districts. They
DO not reach and they are not reached
by tie people at large. Notwithstand'
ing, they are beholden to the party
ana its standard bearers. They accept
the party platforms. Those who fall
To do 10 in either party are classed AS
fndspeAdent and are not counted on In
party councils.
The rsactionaries and the lobby are
instilling into the minds Of easily per
suaAed members OF the party In the
Legislature that they. the members
are responsible to no one but them
selves, and, above all. must they re
sent outside interference.
There is nothing original In this de
vice. 1t has been used In the ma
tional congress against Presideni
Rooseyelts "unwarranted interfer
encs" for the last Ave years. Auto
nations get up SO often in the senate
and. once on a rare occasion In tine
house. and declaim against executive
interference with the legislative de
partment. "Czar," "autocrat," man OF
horseback" and other knightly appel
lations are hurled against the execu
tive. The exhibitions are usually pain
ful to the performer.
party In the present legislature hav'
noticed that every such individual /:
the national legislature who become
offensive or who allows himself t
20 on record as against the Rooseve!
policies. disappears after the Novem
ber election at which he submits hi
nj IN hA Nf h ri
litically. he Is no more.
The present congress has done wei
because Of persistent prodding from
the White house. 1t has first clas
record; but look at the number o
presidential messages that were re
Quired!
been done has been under protest from
the lobby and the ancient leaders II
the senate.
Republican members Of the Colorad,
legislature had better take warning
from what has happened to the re
calcitrants at Washington. A grea
0v2k VI WOih II W Dc uOuo III LII
coming month. Party pledges mus
be fulfilled.
1t may be perfectly true as is urget
In certain quarters that the people
arc Indifferent and seek only to b'
let alone and to let well enough alone
II the sixteenth general assembly ad
3ourned today the final adjournmen
would not cause more than ripple
The people are busy and on the Who'll,
well on. But eighteen months henc,
conditions may have changed. TheI
there might be reckoning called for
The republican majority should b,
prepared for such an eventuality.
The measures promised by the part,
in control would in nowise interfer,
with prosperity: rather would the,
maintain 1t and keep 1t in the prope
channel. Nothing revolutionary Il
sought or offered. The platform II
practical and Observation-Disclosures Re
publican.