The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-03-18

Degencrhcy III the House and Coward
| Ice in the Senate Enables the Presi-
| dent to Rule the Legislative Branci,
of the GOvernment-Newspa
and Magazines Shrewdly Used to
Exploit Roosevelt Policies.
Washington, March 16.-With a
caution unusual for him, Senator Till
man today read part Of his speech
In the senate in which he denounced
executive eEcroachment on legislative
power. With this apparent caution
ne proceeded to deliver one of the
most direct and denunciatory ad-
dresses ever heard i'm that body. He
was given careful hearing. His
speech was based on his resolution
Estructing the committee on finance
to inquire wheths sr national banks of
New York are in the habit Of furnish.
ing permanent capital for speculative
enterprises, etc, The resolution was
| adopted.
Mr.. Tllman traced what he term
I'd a swinging Of the pendulum
from the regime Ct Andrew johnson,
when congress assumed control al
most to the exclusion Of the prcsiden:
from legislative influence to the ad-
ministrations that followed, which.
he declared, witm ssed growth of
presidential power. The dominating
influence and control Of the executive
branch. he said, over the legislative
and in less degree over the judicial
branches of,the government were the
most marked feature Of American
politics at this ticne.
1T has taken," said Mr.. Tillman.
"tust II years for the pendulum to
swing from ore extreme to the
other.s'
j. Now" he said, "the house OF rep
resentatives has degenerated into lit
tie more than recording machine to
do the will Of the speaker and his
lieutenanta" Freedom of debate in
the old and true sense has disappear
ed from that end Of the capitol. ne
added. In the senate .'servil,ty and
tcowardice are the order OF the day.
he declared. and '"'ths shadow Of The
executive hangs over all, and the
presidents wishes are almost the only
law
There is" ha added, some show
OF resistance on matters affecting the
multi-milliqnaires and the great cor
porations. The president writes
scolding messages and makes infiam-
matory speeches. appealing to the
un.hinking and ignorant masses. H.
he's the potent influence If the press
at his command: he has used the
newspapers and magazines in exploit
ing what he calls my policies with a
skill and daring that compels admi-
| ration. With bated breath senators
denounce his radical ideas in private
and oppose in every possible way tn
! measures which he clamors for by the
passive resistance Of non-action. No
one OF the dominant party dares lif:
his voice In opposition o, denuncia-
ton. but the executive influence is the
only Influence in evidence while the
senate covers in silent resistance"
The cause Of this condition, de-
clared Mr.. Tillman. il federal pa
tronage."
"The theory that the senate must
advise and consent before appoint
ments ore made" he said. ''is of little
or no moment when senator's show
such want OF courage and self-respect
and bow eubmissiwely to the order
from the White House. The menu
bcrs Of the minority party. are Of
course. largely ignored. Appointments
In the South where the Democracy re.
mains In control are in the hands Of
referees who all the cfIices for the
sole purpose Of maintaining political
machines. The senators Of the dom,-
nant party are afraid to resist the ex.
culive will, lest they themselves
should fail to obtain the patronage Of
their States. They have also. he de-
clared, dread lest they. should be
forced into retirement. When clashes
have come between the president and
senators or representatives the people
have in almost every instance sided
with the president, he said. 1.-The peo-
pie, poor simple souls, reading the
special pleas and sophistical excuses
OF Republican editors, are led to think
the pre'dent alone is honest and pa
trtOtic," said Mr, Tillman '"rhey he.