The Washington herald., 1908-03-14

The assumption and the usurpation OF
the right Of the Executive department 90
dictate legislation has been goirz on not
only so unblushingiy, but bo8stlngiy. that
we have become accustomed 10 II.
1t is not simply in the framing Of law.
Il is in the dictadon OF law: and it is not
simply there. Senators viii pardon me if
say IT, / recollect some months ago
reciting in this chamber a little experience
I had had in which lad seen the. pass
age of laws in the halls Of Congress OF
another government. where there never
had been vote in the negative in the
several visits I made 90 that han and
never a word said. ana where. as an ex-
Planaton TO me. a member Of that house
had said that there was nothing to de-
bate about and nothing 20 vote against.
because the laws had been sent 20 them
by the President
Il do not believe what Z am going TO
tell now. but nevertheless it is the truth
that ] heard it. that in speaking along
this line and expressing wonder th,t leg
islatcrs would submit to such usu-natioD
II was said 20 me that there was power
II viii not say what il wss-thst copIs
defeat any Senator or any Representa-
tive. / want 20 say that in rhat same
country where / saw laws passed without
a word and without a negative vote. it is
true the chief executive officer Of the
country designates who shall came 20
Congress and who shall not come 10 Con-
grcss
Mr.. President. that is the fate which
awaits rs. That is the fate which awaits
the American people If it be true that the
Executive can be closeted with parties
representing certain interests. and can
frame laws and send them here and they
can be passed az his bidding.
This fell prophecy came from the IiDS
Of Senator Bacon, Of Georgia, in the
Senate. yesterday afternoon. as the
elimination OF an arraignment of tho
Presidents usurpadon Of the powers OF
the legislative branch Of the government.
based upon the statement widely pub
hshed yesterday morning that as the re-
suit Of a series OF conferences. az the
White House. changes in the antitrust
law had been determined upon by the
Executive who was having a bin drawn
with that end in view.
THIman Does some Guessing.
Mr.. Bacon had referred to the facts
that several bankers and railroad men
had taken part in these conferences. and
that the proposed changes in the law. as
reported in the press, would tend 10 beDe-
fit the railroads. Senator Tnlman jumped
10 his feet AS Mr.. Bacon concluded. and
said:
Before the Senator from Georgia takes
his seat. I should like TO ask him whether
or not it ever entered his mind that this
alleged conference have been called
down recently about my bluntness and
direetness. and warned that / ought not
to blurt out things al first hand: SO 1
am getting q. little cautious. should
like 10 ask the Senator whether he thinks
this Interview or conference. whether
actual or alleged Indicates determine
ton 10 coerce or compel or persuade our
brethren on the other side TO pass such
a law or such series of laws. or wheth-
er il indicates that the President himself.
after out-HerOding HeTod in the denun-
citation OF the predatory rich. after ex-
citing the admiration OF the unthinking
throughout the land as TO his being the
last and the only honest man and patriot.
is at this very moment making his peace
with these captains Of industry with
view 10 have them cease their opposition
to the nomination OF his Lieutenant or
OF himself in June?"
L will not express any view on that
point. because have no right TO- replied
MIR Bacon.
Gould not the Senator guess?- de-
manded Mr.. Tiilman. I guessed as soon
as read it
And the Senators r0ared with laughter
Republicans as vociferOUsly as Democrats
-as loudly as the gallery crowds.
Labor Not WeH Treated.
The Senate was discussing the FRYE
resolution. to provide that Panama Canal
supplies should be carried only in Amer
lean ships Mr.. Bacon ana AIr. TiIlman
had attacked the Republicans on the
ground that while they had provided that
only American materials should be used
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