New-York tribune., 1908-08-21
THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT.

THE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT.
The argument is often heard in New York
that Mr. Bryan as President with Republican
Senate would have his hands tied and would De
powerIess to follow his radical inclnations.
Dcubtless such a situation might prevent the
enactment into law of his more dangerous poll
cies The creation of special injunction e1-
empt labor class might be blocked Ihe paler-
nalstic government guarantee of bank deposits
might also fail. His plan for the federal hcens-
ing of the trusts could perhaps not be carried
ont And q sort of iflpGsse might exist pre-
venting the development of progressive leg1sia-
tion. All this Of course, provided that the
radical Republican Senators who are now IN
creasing in number did not before the end OF
his term hold the balance of power and Wlelo 1t
in support OF Mr.. Bryan, and provided also tnat
the election of the Democratic candidate was
not interpreted strong public demand
for some of his policies as to break down Re-
publican opposition to them.
Nor is the ability to put through leglsIauoh
necessary to make Mr. Bryan a potent factor
as President The Chief Executive Of the
United States has enormous powers. He can
do many things Independently Of the Senate.
Representative Burke of Pennsylvania, In a
recent speech called attention to a number Of
executive acts of the first Importance when
have been taken by the Presidents without re-
gard TO the other branches Of the government.
Many of the questions settled independently by
the use Of their extraordinary powers were eco
nomic and it is probably in regard to eco
nomic matters that those who rely upon the
tying of Mr.. Bryan's hands by a Republican
Senate are chiefly concerned. But suppose sucn
a probIem as the Chicago railroad strike claimed
the attention Of Mr.. Bryan, who in the case OF
his election would consider that he owed large
IN ATT Would !
no difference who was President?
R1lt the President OF the United States pos
sesses large ordinary powers. free from the
curb of Congress. by whose exercise the busf-
ness of this country might be greatly affected
The Treasury Department has important dis
cretionary functions for the monetary system
of this country does not run with mechanical
perfection. IN the face of deficit and de-
cline in the Treasury's supply of gold, what
would be Mr. Bryan's attitude toward maintain
ing the gold standard a situation which arose
under President Cleveland? y Colonel Waiter
son tells US that Mr.. Bryan represents the new
sectionalsm. New York is surely interested
TO know how this new Sectionalist would adj
minister the public funds.
Have the complacent persons who hold this
view of Mr.. Bryan's Importance never thought
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission,
powerful bit Of machinery affecting the great
est single business interest in this country, S15-
OOOOO0GG0 worth of property? That commission
is entirely In the Presidents hands. His ap-
pointnent determines the character Of its mem
bers.
Then there remains, perhaps, the greatest
power of ALL It is not to be forgotten that our
Presidents are able by virtue of their position
powerfully to influence the temper of the coun-
try And If Mr.. Bryan, being elected, should
be checked in Congress, it is certain, born agi-
tator that he is, that he would bend all his
energies to appeals to the people" The more
effectually he was blocked the more stirring
would be his efforts to arouse the people to re-
volt just that situation in which apathetic
Fasteners put their faith would probably be the
most potent cause of popular unrest and excite
ment AS Mr.. Bryce well said Of the constitu-
tional situation: THE Senate can prevent his
settling anything. but cannot prevent his un-
settling everything.