The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-02-11
A Protest Against
Roosevelt's Meddling.


The Journal is happy to note that
SO ably edited a contemporary as the
New Orleans States takes a strong
stand against RooSevelt's interference
vita the affairs of California, thus
confirming us in the belief that our
expressed opinion has been dictated
by a discreet consideration of the
matter. The States goes right to the
point without mincing matters, head
ing its remarks, Limit of Interior
ence":
What amounts practically to a mes
sage from the president Of the Unit
Cd States to the general assembly of
California, was sent by Mr. Roosevelt
TO the speaker of the house on Mon
day TIE constitution gives the pres
ldent the authority TO send messages
to the two branches OF congress from
time TO time, and the constitutions OF
all the states vests similar power in
their respective governors.
Neither state nor federal constitu-
ton gives the president any authority
TO interfere with the course of legis-
lation In the states, but that authority
has been usurped by President Roose-
content with keeping the wires hot
between Washington and Sacramento
In the effort to influence the govern
or of the state. a formal message is
sent to the speaker of the house prac-
tically demanding that his views be
carried out by the legislature Of that
state.
more fragrant and unnecessary
abuse of the executive prerogative
das seldom been presented to the at
tsntion Of the American people in all
our history as a nation, and it is mar
vellOus, indeed, that such persistent
intermeddling should not have brought
forth before this an even sharper re-
bU3Ee than was that implied in the
vote by which the school bill passed
the house. Even the reconstruction
period I'm the south did not, we be-
lleve, furnish so aggravated a case of
direct presidential intermeddling with
the progress of state legislation as
is afforded in this case.
That it is entirely unnecessary is
conceded by the president himself
when he declares the pending meas
his intention of having t3lsm taken 10
the courts with the object in view OF
having them quilted, should the gen.
erai assembly have tae temerity TO
yiisobey his mandate. Having already
practically superseded the governor
OF California by his official commun-
icaticns to the LEGISLATORS 1t would be
next in order for him to veto the
measure should it be enacted by the
legislature.
The interference is without prece-
dent, so far as we recollect, entirely
unwarranted and may well be put
down as rankIy impertipent. The pro
posed act segregating the Japanese
in certain schools could not, in itself.
be called a casus beIli by anyone of
even moderate intelligence, and If it
clashed with Roots and Roosevelt's
sc-called treaty, why the treaty is
clearly imperative as embracing
agreements the United States aad no
right TO enter into. The whole trans
setion, from beginning to end, has
been most deplorable and far more
offc nsive to American men of patriot
ism and Judgment than any school bill
passed by California's legislature
could be to the japanese. Just why
the latter should be an object OF
such tender soIicitude to Roosevelt
is quite a mystery. Has it been be-
cause of his incorrigible desire to
NEEDLE with the affairs of other PEG
pie? Or is he really weak enough to
be panic stricken?