The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-25
WENT FOR TEDDY
Senator TiIIman Arraigns Presi-
dents Encroachment On
LEGISLATIVE POWER.

the Presidents Will, and Says He
Exercises Too Much Influence or
the Other Departments Of the Gov
eminent. House Declared to be
Speakers Tool.
With a caution unusual for him,
Senator Tillman recently read a part
Of his speech in the Senate, in which
he denounced Executive encroach-
ment on legislative power. With this
apparent caution he proceeded to de-
liver one Of the most direct and de-
mandatory addresses ever heard In
that body. He was given a careful
hearing. His speech was based on
his resolution instructing the commit
tee on finance t. inquire whether ma
tional banks of New York are in the
habit of furnishing permanent capt.
tai for speculative enterprises, etc.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Tillman traced what he termed
a Swinging of the pendulum from
the regime of Andrew Jackson, when
Congress assumed control almost to
the exclusion Of the President from
legislative influence, to the "lminis-
t~rations which followed. vhich, he
declared, witnessed a growth Of Pres
idential powers. The dominating In
fuence. and control Of the Executive
branch over the legislature and in a
degree over the judicial branches of
the Government were the most mark
ed features of the American politics at
this time. 1T has taken," said Mr..
Tillman, "just forty-one years for the
pendulum to swing from n extreme
to the other"
Now" he said, 1.-The House of
Representatives has degenerated into
little more than a recording machine
to do the will of the Speaker and his
lfeutenants." Freedom of debate In
the old and true sense has disappear
ed from the other end Of the Cap
itol, he added. In the Senate ser
Witty and cowardice are the order
Of the day." he declared, "and the
shadow Of the Executive hangs yer
all and the Presidents wishes are
almost the only law.
There is" he added, some show
Of resistance on matter affecting the
multi-millionaires and the great cor
porations. The President writes
scolding messages and makes inflam-
matory speeches appealing to the
unthinking and ignorant masses. He
has the potent influence of the press
at his command; he has used the
newspapers and magazines in exploit
ing what he calls my politics with
a skill and daring that compel admir-
alton. With bated breath Senators
denounce his radical ideas in prt-
vate and oppose in every possible
way the measures which he clamors
for by the passive resistance OF non
action. No one of the dominant par
ty dares lift his voice in opposition
or denunciation, but the Executive
influence is the only influence IN evil
dence, while the Senate covers In ST.
lent resistance.
1.-THE cause of this condition" de-
| clared Mr.. Tillman, lis Federal pat
ronage."
"The theory that the Senate must
advise and consent before appoint
ments are made" he said, Is of lit
tie or no moment when Senators show
such want Of courage and self-respect
and bow submissively to the orders
from the White House. The mem
hers of the minority party, of course,
were largely ignored. Appointments
in the South, where the Democracy
retains control, are in the hands of
referees who fill the offices for the
sole purpose for maintaining ma
chimes. The Senators of the domi-
nant party are afraid to resist the
executive 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 Senators
or Representatives the people have
in almost every instance sided with
the President, he said.
THE people, poor, simple souls
reading the special pleas and sophis'
tical u of Republican editors
are led to think the Presiden.: alone
Is honest and patriotic" said MIR. Till
man. "They believe religrously thai
the Senate is corrupt ant the White
House debauched and that the loli'
tics-my politics, which are so eX
plotted in the press-must prevail
and become law before any relief car
be obtained. Senators who do no
agree with the Executive and who
refuse to obey his will must be re
tired. Congressman who resist Exec
utive dictation must be replaced b!
those who will obey .
In the mad rush to placate tn
negro vote we may expect to see be
, fore the Chicago Convention meets
+ to quote a great New England paper
5 1.-The President reviewing the re-en
: listed battalion on the White Hous
green, after which there will be lun
cheon at the Executive mansion
l The Presidents action in that wa