The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1908-03-19

WASH NGTON March 1S.-With
a caution unusual for him. Senator
Tillman today read part of his
speech in the senate in which he de-
nounced executive encroachment on
legislative power. With this appa-
rent caution he proceeded to deliver
one of the most direct and denun-
ciatory addresses ever heard in that
body. He was given careful hear
ing. Most of the senators on both
sides Of the chamber were in their
places. and the galleries were filled
with visitors. His speech was based
on his resolution instructing the COM
mittee on finance to inquire whether
national banks of New York are in
the habit of furnishing permanent
capital for speculative enterprises,
etc. The resolution was adopted.
The subject of Mr. Tillman $
speech was executive encroachment
upon the legislative branch of the
government. and he traced what he
termed swinging of the pendulum
from the regime of Andrew johnson,
when congress assumed control al
most to the exclusion of the president
from legislative influence, to the adj
ministrations that followed, which he
declared witnessed a growth of presi-
Dental power.
Now" he said, the house has
degenerated into little more than
recording machine to do the will of
the speaker and his lieutenants.
Freedom of debate in the old and
true sense has disappeared from that
end of the capitol. In the senate ser
Witty and cowardice are the order of
the day." he declared and while
freedom of debate still exists, the
shadow of the executive hangs over
all and the presidents wishes are al
most the only law
There is, he proceeded to say,
some show of resistance on matters
affecting the multi-millionaires and
the great corporations. The presi-
dent writes scolding messages and
makes infammatory speeches appeal
ing to the unthinking and ignorant
classes He has the potent influence
of the press at his command. he has
used the newspapers and magazines
in exploiting my policies with skill
and daring that compel admiration.
While senators denounce his radical
ideas in private and oppose in every
possible way the measures which he
clamors for by the passive resistance
| of non-action. no one of the dominant
party dares lift his voice in opposi-
| ton or denunciation, but the exeeu-
tive influence is the only influence
In evidence. while the senate covers
in silent resistance"
The cause of this condition, de-
clared Mr.. Tillman. is federal pa
tronage."
The theory that the senate must
| advise and consent before laws are
made, he said. is of little or no
moment when senator's show such
want of courage and self respect and
bow submissively to orders from the
| White house. The members of the
minority party are, of course, largely
F, ignored. Appointments in the south
where the Democracy retains control
are in the hands of referees, who fill
the Offices for the sole purpose of
maintaining the political machines.
THE senators of the dominant
party are afraid to resist the execu-
| tive will, lest they themselves should
fail to obtain the patronage of their
states. They have also. he declared.
"a dread lest they should be forced
into retirement" When clashes have
come between the president and SEN
ators or representatives, the people
have in almost every instance sided
with the president The people.
poor. simple souls, reading the spe-
cial pleas and sophistical abuse of
Republican editors, are led to. think
the president alone is honest and pa
triotic, said Mr.. Tillman. They be-
lieve religously that the senate is
corrupt and the house debauehed,
and that the policies-'My policies,
which are SO exploited in the press
must prevail and become law before
any relief can be obtained Senators
who do not agree with the executive
and refuse to abide by his will. must
not be reelected. Congressman who
refuse executive dictation are replac-