The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1907-02-01
ROOSEVELT
Dl6ThT0R
Sets Himself hbOV6 the
Constitution
WOULD BLOT OUT THE STATES
Program Is Declared to Be More Than
Revolutionary
WOULD BLOT OUT THE STATES

The dictatorial manner Of President
Roosevelt and his growing disregard
for the construction is attracting more
and more unfavorable comment Thus
the editor Of The North American Re-
view asserts It IS time for congress to
AXE notice Of the presidents views
as voiced in the assault made in Sec
retary Roots recent speech upon the
tates, the constitution, and our federal
government The question raised BY
the speech IS 50 serious that congress
nay well express its opinion upon It.
This IS especially true since the editor
# the Review has fixed the response
5ility for the sentiments OF the speech
upon Mr.. Roosevelt At least he has
clearly shown that the secretary Of state
set forth the previously uttered senti-
uents Of the president, and described
n graver and weightisr words than Mr.
Roosevelt IS accustomed 10 employ the
well-knOwn tendency Of the latter's
mind Besides, Mr.. Root has put be-
hind the presidents attitude towards
the law and the constitution his own
ability and character as a judicious,
thoughtful lawyer and statesman The
point Of Mr.. Roots speech which re-
quires the most attention Is his advocacy
at least he does not criticise the doc
trine-of wholly changing the character
OF the federal government BY consti-
tutional constructions made BY judges
appointed, and to be appointed, BY the
president In advancing this theory,
which IS more than revolutionary, Mr..
Root only repeats an idea more than
7nce expressed by the president The
editor Of the Review shows this By
quotations from the presidents
speeches. notably the following: we
need through judicial interpre-
alton and construction Of law TO in
rease the power Of the federal govern
nent.7
The editor shows also by citations
rom the editorials Of leading newsna-
,ers OF the country, that he is not sil-
-ular in connecting Mr.. Roosevelt with
he secretary's utterance; while he also
hows that some prominent Republican
enators are startled BY the utterance-
That Mr. Rooseyelt's mind has ad-
anced 10 this point Is certain As he
pat upon the constitution Of Cuba, he
GEMS also to be inclined TO spit upon
he federal constitution, while he IS not
My willing, but anxious, TO accomplish
IS object by the tortuous method Of
He wants the courts TO
lange the fundamental law. and, there
IRE, the character Of the government,
y pretending that the constitution
eans what they know It does not mean
his Is an assault upon the integrity
the states; but II Is more than that;
is an assault upon the federal form
government which John Marshall de-
nded. defining the true powers Of the
deral government. bur never doubling
( validity or the propriey Of the
yhts Of the states. If the senate de
res to criticise the president. here is
opportunity for discussion that
ould be as fearless as Mr.. Roosevelt's
d Mr. Roots announcement Of a dos
ne that the editor Of The North
uerican Review denOunces, saying OF
c presidents dispatch to Secretary
fl. concerning Cuba, 10 moi care
the least for the fact that such an
Is unconstitutional that II
pes clearly indicate a frame Of mind
.ich Spurus restraint, deSpises law,
4 IS dominated By despoIic instinct;
idsntally, moreover, It was the most
.tuitous Sud insulting utterance re-
,cting a friendly ueighbor and help
5 ward that ever emanated from the
Of an American president