Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-09
Mcclellan at Princeton.

At Princeton last night George Il. NC
Clellan appeared in the role of lecturer
and talked in rather a solemn and severe
strain. AS an alumnus of Princeton Uni
versity he probably felt called upon to
appear profound and grave in the shadow
of his alma mater, and as disciple OF
Mr.. Cleveland, who lives in that town, he
automatically instituted comparison be-
tween these political times anu those of
few years ago, unfavorabIe to the former.
Listen to this
During the last few years Congress
has been but little more than register
of the presidential wishes. 1t has only
been necessary for the executive to ex-
press his desires, to have Congress i'm
mediately carry them into effect. The ma
jority of both houses has been loath to
inaugurate any policy whatsoever without
presidential permission. The minority, on
the other hand. with an opportunity such
as has seldom been presented to act as a
great restraining and conservative force. to
build up a healthy public opinion in favor
of the maintenance of the law. has oscil-
lated between a policy of senseless, I'M
reasoning opposition, when it thought that
opposition would be popular. and feverish
haste to Guido the majority in supporting
the executive; in other words, in trying to
get on the band wagon when it thought
that popularity was on the box seat
This is unfair to both sides. Mr.. Roose-
welt has at no time during his five years
of office been buster shaping legislation
than Mr. Cleveland was during his second
term in the White House. Mr.. Mcclellan
who was then a member of the House.
should be able to recall how things went
and how obediently he with others fol-
lowed the presidential lead. Mr. Cleveland,
by the most open and lavish use of patron
age ever known in this country shaped the
financial legislation of that day and went
so far in an attempt to shape tariff bill
as to publicly denounce the few demo-
cratic senators who resisted him. Presi-
dental bossism never reached a higher
mark than then. and it split the demo-
cratic party wide open.
As for the minority in Congress, what
opportunity has it had to do anything
since Mr.. Mcclellan left Washington?
"Senseless. unreasoning opposition "a
feverish haste to Guido the majority in
supporting the executive" Severe
phrases both. Has Mr.. Williams in the
House deserved this reproach? Or did
Mr. German. who until a year ago led the
minority in the Senate? And what, had
he remained in Congress, would Mr. Nc
Clellan have advised? Would he have
been adamant against the railroad rate
bill. and the meat inspection BILL which al
though recommended by Mr.. Roosevelt were
Claimed by Mr. Bryan as being in spirit
democratic?
Mr.. Mcclellan should not ask to be ac-
cepted as one of those stern and unbend-
Ing" patriots who were once the hope of the
country. In Office he trotted along as
obediently as the next fellow. A Tam
many man representing gold standard
constituency. he twice supported Mr.
Bryan for President on a free silver plat
form. and if the latter is nominated again
next year will again support him. The
Princeton voice and it's authors record are
not in accord.