The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1908-07-16
INFLUENCE LIMITED
President Is Powerless 10 Lex.
islaie Individually
IS HeDGeO BY RESTRICTIONS
Only Ambition Should 1s 10 Prove
Worthy OF cenadsnes Of Country.
men.-Bryan's Conception Of the
Worlds highes, Office

Worlds H,xhes, Office
william j. bryan has written an ar.
iiclc entitled My Conception 81 the
Presidency" Tor the July ~ issue VI
Collects Weekly, Mr. bryan says,
The presidents power for good or for
harm Is often overestiinaicd. our gov
eminent Is government OF cheeks aud
balances; power Is distributed among
different departments, and each oticisl
works Ia 20 operation with others
Ia the making Of laws, for instance.
the president joins with the senate ana
house, he may recommend. but he 10
powcrless 70 lcgislate except as q ma.
Jorlty Of the senate and the house con-
eur with him, The senate and the
house are also independent OF each
other, each having a veto over the other
and the president has a veto over both.
except that the senate and house can.
by a two.thirds vote. override the prcsi-
dents veto. The influence o. the presi
dent over legislation. Ia therefore, lin
tied, he shares responsibility with
large number Of the peoples represents
tiyes
Even In the enforcement of the law
he Is hedged about by restrictions. He
acts through an attorney general
Whose appointment must bs approved
by the senatcl aud Offenders against
the law must be prosecuted IN the
courts, so that here again tho RESPONSE
bllity Is divided. In the making OF
important appointments, too, he must
consult the senaic, and Ia, OF necessity,
compelled to exercise care and discrs.
ton.
The most Important requisite IN
president, as IN other officials, IL that
his sympathy shall he with the whole
people rather than with any fraction
OF the population. He Il constantly
called upon TO act IN the capacity offs
judge--deciding between the opportuni-
ties OF those who seek favors and the
rights and interests OF the public. I'm.
less his sympathles are right the few
are sure TO have an advantage over the
many, for the masses have no one 10
present their claims They act only at
elections, aud must trust 20 their rep
resentatiyes 20 protect them from all
their foes,
Second, the president must have II
OF public questions and the
ability 10 discern between the true and
he false; be must be able 10 analyze
The conditions and TO detect the sophls.
frles that are always employed by those
who seek unfair advantages. He must
possess the moral courage TO stand
against the Influences that are brought
% bear In favor Of special interests. In
'act, the quality OF moral courage Ia as
essential IN a public official as either
light sympathies or trained mind
A president must have counselors,
Ind. to make wise use OF connaelors. he
must be open TO convictions. The presi
lent IL committed by his platform 10
certain policies. and the platform Is
be ~ also committed 10 certain
principles OF government, and these he
\ duty bound to apply IN all matters
hat come before him But there n O
vide zone In which he must act upon
lis own judgment, and here he ought 20
ave the aid Of intelligent, conscientious
nd faithful ndyiapra
The law provides these, TO certain
xtent, IN giving him a cabinet, and the
Ice president ought TO be made mem
Ter OF the cabinet ex.offlcio In order,
rst, that the president may have the
cnefit Of his wisdom and knowledge
Z affairs, and, second, that the Vice
resident may be better prepared 10
axe up the work OF the president IN
asc OF vacancy In the presidential
flee.
There ought TO be cordial relations
lso between the president and those
Tho occupy positions OF Influence IN
be coordinate branches Of the govern.
tent, for our government III not a one
IAN government, but government IN
hlch the chosen representatives OF
le people labor together TO give expires
lon TO the VIII OF the voters
But the presidency Is the highest 20.
ton In the world, and its occupant
an important fnctor In all national
ALTERS. II be IL deyout believer IN
lr theory Of government. recognizes
le constitutional distribution OF pow.
y, trusts thoroughly IN the people and
lily sympathlzes with Them IN their
,pirations and hopes, he has an op-
,rtunIty 10 do d splendid work lie oe.
ipies vantage ground froir which
. can exert wholesome Influence IN
Iyor OF each forward movement
The responsibilities Of the )ffics are
great that the occupant ought TO be-
lIeyed Of every personal ambition,
I'VE the ambition 70 prove worthy OF
@ confidence OF his countrymen For
ls reason, be ought 10 enter the posi-
IN without thought or prospect Of a
cond term.