Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-01-14

existing between the president ana Con-
grsss would certainly be viewed with
great alarm and regret especially By Re
publicans. It happens, however, that the
record Of the administration has been
mostly made and passed upon favorably
at the resent election. 90 that there are no
immediate political interests At stake;
also that Congress has no very important
measures before it at this short session
likely 10 suffer, and that the matters At
issue are not Of themselves Of prime bear
ing to the welfare OF the country.
The row is over the paragraph in the
presidents annual message. submitted at
the opening Of the present session, in
which the chief executive dealt With the
subject Of the secret service. Congress. at
its last session, in appropriatine for this
branch, restricted its activities in certain
directions In his message the president
dealt with this matter in even more than
bis characteristics manner of striking hard
at things that dispIeass him. He inti-
mated very broadly--so that nobody who
comprehends plain English could misun-
derstand him-that Congress placed this
Limitation on the secret service because il
didn't want it's own members to be inves-
tigated by that detective bureau. he
said taat this was the "chief argument"
used in Congress to accomplish the
change; that criminals, whether in Con-
gress or outside, ought to be open to such
investigation; nevertheless, be added, If
Congressman wanted to except them
selves, the limitation should have been
made there, and not extended 50 Is to in
cIude others, thus hampering the SER
vice.
Both houses Of Congress. Republicans
and Democrats alike, resented this lang
uage as undeserved, improper and insult
ing. They took it to mean that the pres
ident intended to pillory them publicly
before the country Is men either doing
acts that they dare not have uncovered by
the secret service or in sympathy with
those 50 acting. They regarded it as an
imputation OF most improper motives in
circumscribing the secret services thing
that they denied outright and for which
charge there was not the slightest basis
in fact.
The more impetuous among the Con-
gressmen favored summary action at ones
to rebuke the president, but wiser counsel
prevailed. The House appointed spe-
cial committee to inquire OF the president
what grounds be had for making such
charges and to report thereon. The pres
ident answered the inquiry in messag.
which At once disclaimed intended refec'
ton on Congress, OF that his words, prop
erly construed, had such meaning, and
yet proceeded to suhstantiats what be had
said to the bsst o. his ability. It mus
. have appeared to the public that he fel
down completely. His 'sproof'' VA
nothing worthy Of consideration, and b,
; strayed on into a defence Of the secrei
: service, in way to raise the suspicion
l that be was trying to beiOg the question
4 With this answer to work upon, th'
, House last week, By vote OF 212 to IS
; after . debate marked By unusual calm
; ness and dignity, adopted the report O
; the committee tabling 50 much OF ii,
: messages as reflected on members Of Con
: gress in connection with his secret ser
vice recommendation and declaring it I,
o be the sense of the House that il wouIs
{ decline to consider any communication
b from any source which in its own judg
: ment were not respectful The Houses
action was, and was intended to be,
; singing rebuke OF Mr.. Roosevelt for hi
Il unmerited criticism Of Congress and Con
.s gressmen, not only in this one case, bu
II generally, whenever it pIeases him to Gu
10 loose. It was a spanking well earned b
e Mr.. Roosevelt for his intemperance Q
ID speech and reckless charges and asseI
,e tons regarding the motives and conduC
te and character Of those with whom b
Of disagrees. The country win approve.
It is doubtless true that there al
roeues and scalawsgs in Congress, and
u may be that the presidents contention
y correct that the secret service should n
Is be estopped from following them. Il
Nc deed, several wrongdoers have alread
y been brought to account in this way. Bl
II that Congress as a whole, or 3 majority
% it, is influenced by such IN unwortt
en- motive as the president clearly imputs
60 few viii believe. Congress is an.honor
"a BILE body, and not guilty OF such Q he'll
no GUS offence. There were other and sui
10 Gent reasons for curbing the activities
ell the secret service spies than those aIleg'
" BY the president. and they were full
on brought out in the debate when the ma
SCI ter came up. But it pleased Roosevelt
ne sinister disposition to treat it otherwi
I'M and to asperss Congress. He has E
- what was coming to him, and few "
u.s. mourn.
tiy There have been growing symptoms
err late that the UNPLEASANT side Of Roosev,