The Washington herald., 1908-03-07
SCORES USURPATION
Teller Defends Division of
Federal Functions.
ARMY PAY BILL IS PASSED
Senate, However, Declines to Grant
to President Power to Control
Pay of Enlisted Men-Amendment
Adopted to Afford Relief to Fam
lilies of Soldiers Who Die In service.

rlhl CONSIDERATION or the army pay
increase bill. which was passed by the
Senate yesterday. was enlivened by de-
nuneiation Of Executive usurpation Of the
authority OF the legislative branch OF
the government. made by Senator Teller,
Of Colorado.
While Mr.. Teller made no reference d.
rectly to the present occupant Of the
White House, his words constantly re-
caiied to the minds OF his audience some
OF the acts OF the present Executive.
The speech was also a defense OF the
trainers Of the Constitution. and an argu-
ment against suggestions which have been
made during the Roosevelt adminlstra-
ton that the Federal charter has out
grown its usefulness in some respects.
Minority Gains It's Point.
Mr.. Teller based his remarks upon
section Of the original bill which vested
in the President the control OF the pay
Of the enlisted men OF the army. This
was changed. as a result OF a demand
from the minority. so that Congress itself
should fix the pay OF the enlisted men,
as well as that Of the officers. an amend
ment offered by Senator Culberson being
accepted by Senator Warren. chairman of
the Military Affairs Committee. This
changes a custom which, as was shown
on the floor OF the Senate Wednesday by
Senator Hale. has existed in the case OF
the army since 1914.
Discussing the changing Of the Con
stitution, the Senator from Colorado said:
you may DO 1t by action OF the ma
tional legislature. by submitting the oues-
ton 70 the several States 70 be acted
upon. You may do IL by creating a ma
uona convention for the purpose OF
changing the Constitution.
Appeals for More Power.
Yet. with that before US. we have been
appealed TO from the Executive depart
ment OF the government on more than
one occasion that We should extend the
power Of the Executive either by legisla-
tive declaration or by judicial construc-
ton. ! heard Senator say not long ago
and he is in the chamber now-T am
not one Of those who think that the old
men who made this Constitution possess
ed all the wisdom OF the world
Il viii venture 20 say here. and 70 chal-
lenge contradiction. that al no time in the
history Of the world. either in the great
countries Of the East. like Greece and
Rome, or at any other time or in any
other nation Of the world. were there
gathered together siXty-five men possess
ing the qualifications that these men pos
sessed for the creation Of a Constitution
that has practically stood the test OF loo
years and more.
Defends Nations Fatherr
IF I had time I should like to take up
the membership Of that convention man
by man and show their character. II has
been done repeatedly by historians. and, 1
repeat. it would be profitable These men
had such q character when they were
there, and their subsequent conduct sup
ported the character they had when they
made the Constitution. It would be profit
able for some men to study the charac-
ter Of the men as well as 20 study the
character Of this Constitution OF ours.
Whenever the American people want
TO change the Constitution they viii
change Ii. They viii not change Il by
submitting IL 20 FIVE men who sit on the
bench. They will not change il by the
action Of this body and the other When
they want it changed they viii change
IL as they have right TO change IT,
They will change il by the method that
the fathers provided they should exer-
else when they wanted 70 change II.
Country's Only Danger.
'T have said. and am not ashamed to
repeat Il. that II there Is any threat Of
trouble to this country OF ours it comes
from a departure from the limitations OF
the Constitution. It comes from falling
TO recognize the duty that this body as
legislative body has toward the country.
and TO recognize the duty OF the Execu-
tive toward this body and toward the
people.
Nobody will sneer me down by say
ing there is no danger OF Executive inter
ference or Executive usurpation in the
system of this government. That has
been the cry Of all men who want TO ex-
ercise arbitrary power. Buckle, the great
historian. declared that power exercised
by classes had never been exercised but
10 be ultimately abused. I believe that
that IS the history OF mankind. I could
name you to-day the Roman emperor who
went into power with determination un-
doubtedly 70 serve the people and who
came out Of II n tyTant of the worst
possible form"
Increase in All Grades.
The army pay Increase bill. as passed
by the Senate yesterday raises the pay
OF lieutenant generals per cent. Of
major generals 10 per cent Of brigadier
generals Is per cent, Of colonels. lieuten-
ant colonies. majors. captains first lieu
tenants, and second lieutenants 20 per
cent. and that Of enlisted men, including
noncommissioned officers. 40 per cent on
the average.
An amendment offered by Senator
Bacon, providing that the widow, chill
dren. or other legal heirs Of any officer
who dies while in the service shall be
paid an amount equivalent to SIX months
pay at the rate which the deceased officer
shall be receiving at the time OF his
death. was adopted. with an amendment
to the amendment, proposed by Senator
McLaurin, that the proviso shall als0
apply 10 the families Of enlisted men who
die in the service.
Senator Scott when the bill came up
for passage, read a letter which he had
received from an officer. whose name he
did not disclose. in which It was stated
that members OF the commissioned per-
sonnel are paying as much as per cent
a month on borrowed money. as a result
OF the inadequacy of their incomes.
TWO OLD FRIENDS APPEAR.