Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-12-04
Usurpation Of Power.

LIE freSluenC OF the united States
Is unique figure amongst the heads
of the nations. He has more power
than the Gar of Russia, because the
Gar is held in check by the Imperial
Council, whose members have great in
diyidual influence and represent not
only the civil, but the ecclesiastical
power which Is omnipotent. The Presl-
dent controls absolutely his cabinet
and all other executive. officials through
the influence of patronage. He In a
great measure controls the majority
p, " of Congress. Only the Supreme
Court is above and independent of hiLa
and that court can be packed for spe-
cial purposes of great party necessity
by the appointment to vacancies as
they occur. President Roosevelt tried
not long ago to obtain a promise from
Chief Justice Fuller to retire, SO that
Republican appointee of the Presi-
dent could stake the place, thereby per-
haps changing the decisions Of the
court on political questions. There is
another power that President Roose-
welt has invoked when he summoned
representatives of capital and labor to
his council chamber and forced them
to arbitrate questions Of disagreement
between them and promise to abide by
the decision Of commission Of his
appointing, there being no warrant for
such a summary proceeding either In
the Constitution or the statute law.
In that case the suffering of the peo-
pie from the scarcity of coal produced
by the strike made many, people en-
dorse that action and approve 1t.
A faction of the Republican party,
which may be termed the radical wing,
are intent on concentrating all power
In the hands of the President by vir-
tually allowing him to become the
dictator of politics, legislation, busl-
ness and morals. No former President
of the Republic ever dreamed of this
one man power and the fathers Of the
Republic would have been discarded If
they had attempted 1t. The legisla-
tive branch Of the government was e1-
pressly made independent Of the Presi-
dent us far as the law making power
is concerned, the President only hav-i
ing the right to recommend legisla-
ton and to veto bills he could not ap-
prove, but even the veto power was
limited, for two-thjrds Of Congress
could override 1t. In time of war and
dire stress the fathers Of the Repub-
lie never attempted to coerce the legis-
lators
But lately another ruler has arisen
that arrogates to himself imperial
power, sometimes wisely welded, but
often sadly misplaced. No man is so
good and great that he can do all
things wisely and well and the dis
trlbution- Of power through the legis-
lative, judicial and executive depart
ments was intended to SO balance
things that dictator would be impos-
slble.
We are on the verge Of overthrowing
that wise distribution of power and
may regret before long that we have
sanctioned, IL not actually approved,
most revolutionary proceedings. The
next President may be worse man
than the present one, he may be more
adroit and circumspect in increasing
and using his power and President
may soon appear that will find Inn
perial power ready made to his hand
and he may seize 1t. Could we de-
throne him If he did SO? He would
command the army and navy; under
the new law he also controls the mill
tia. He could If he would over awe
US and by adroit management perpet-
uate his power. There is no law
against third terms or fourth ones, and
1t would not be difficult to find pre-
text for the use OF armed men at the
polls and to drive those opposed to his
reelection away from the counting of
the votes and partlsanship would do
the rest. This is what people must
think Of II they wish to see the per-
petuation of the Republic In which all
the public have voice.
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