The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-03-20
TILLMAN ON ROOSEVELT.
Presidents En~croachment Upon r,ep-
lslative Power Them of South
Carolina Senator.

which he denounced executive en-
croachment on Legislative power. With
inns apparent caution he proceeded to
deliver one of the most direct and de-
mandatory addresses even heard in
that body. He was given a careful
nearing. His speech was based on his
resolution instructing the committee
on finance to inquire whether national
banks OF New York are in the habit
or furnishing permanent capital for
speculative enterprises, etc. The reso-
luton was adopted.
Mr.. Tillman traced what he termed
a '~swlnging of the pendulum' from
the regime Of Andrew johnson. when
congress assumed control almost to
the cNrlH2ion Of The president from
legislative Influence. to the adminis-
'rations which followed. which, he
declared witnessed a growth Of prcsi-
dental powers. The dominating i'll
1lucncc and control Of tie executive
branch ever the Legislative and in a
less degree ovcr the. judicial branches
OF the government we're the most
marked features Of the American DO
litics at this time. "It has taken"
said Mr.. Tillman "just forty-one
years for the pendulum to swing
from one extreme to the other.'
"Now," he said, "the house Of
representatives has degenerate into
little more than a recording machine
to do the will Of the speaker and his
~dleutenants.' Freedom of debate in
the old and true sense has disap-
peared from the other end of the cap
ltol. he added. Tn the senate User
Witty and cowardice are the order Of
the day" The declared, "and the
shadow Of Tire executive hangs ovcr
all and the president IS wishes are al
most the only law.
"There is" he added, "some show
of resistance on matters affecting the
multi-millionaries and the great cor
porations. The president writes
s%colding messages and makes inflam-
matory speeches APPEALING to The I'M
thinking and ignorant masses. He has
the potent Influence Of the press az
his command; he has used the news
papers and magazines in exploiting
what he calls my politics. with a
skill and daring That compel admira-
tion. With batcl breath senators de-
nouncc his radical Ideas in private
and oppose in every possible way the
measures which he clamors for by the
resistance Of n%onaciion. No one Of
the dominant party dares lift his
voice in opposition or dcnunciation,
but the executive Influence is the
only Influence in evidence, while The
senate owe in silent resistance.
"Tllc cause Of this condition.' de-
clarcd Mr.. Tillman, els federal pat
rona@c.'
Senate Afraid OF President.
."The theory that the senate must
'advlsc and consent before appoint
ments are made" he said. els of lit
lie or no moment when senators show
such want Of courage and self-respect
and bow submissively to the orders
from the White House. The members
of the minority party, Of course, were
largely ignored. Appointments in
the south. where jthe democracy re-
tains control, are in the hands of re
ferees' VINO fill the Offices for the sole
purpose for maintaining machines.
The senators Of the dominant 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.
"HTI,e people, poor, simple souls,
reading the special pleas and sophis-
tical excuses Of republican editors.
are led to think the president alone
IS honest and patriotic," said Mr..
Tillman. "They believe religiously
that the senate is corrupt and the
White House dcbauchcd and that the
policcs-'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 who re-
f11cn IN nho, H., I'LL -z. T.