The Washington herald., 1909-01-16
The President and Congress.

The great VllQicdIOTy DEBATE OF FrlQ6Ys
January S. IN the House OF Representa-
tives viii not be published broadcast
20 an expectant and eager country at
the expense Of the public Treasury. Two
million copies Of a "rebuke" 20 Presi-
dent Roosevelt. at the very least. were
thought TO be demanded by constituents
hot for further particulars OF a notable
historic event. Cheap at sSS.S22 would be
any narrative OF that unIueky Fridays
doings. OF undoings. Il would tell how
the popular branch withstood-for six
hours-a most RECOGNIZABLE adversary. and
at the end Of that time dubbed him an
infractor OF the truth A wild and thrill
ing tale, emitting, however, the light
ming dash Of Speaker Cannon. on the
same eventfuI evening. 10 the White
House. there 10 be RECALLED with Execu-
tive rejection.
But this oratoricai thriller IS 10 be
embalmed for all tine in the dreary and
uresome pages Of the Congressional Rec
ord. Il is not TO be accessible 10 every
voter Il viii rot be distributed with
the compliments Of Congressman So-and-
so 10 his intelligent constituents. There
viii be 10 circulation Of ''rebuke" 20
Roosevelt as a campaign document in any
district. al least not al public expense.
Is It possible discovery has been made
that. as Mr.. Foster. OF Vermont. said
the American people are not sitting
up nights for an opportunity 70 read
the details Of that debate?r Or that. as
Mr.. Langley believed, the people are suf-
fciently informed in the matter without
perusing all the narrowing paruculars2
Or that. as Mr.. Townsend averred, the
thing has already gone too far2 However
al this NAV be. the House was quite
right in rejecting the resolution for
broadcasting the debate on the sole
ground that 70 DO so would require an
unprecedented and unwarranted use q
public funds L would not have looked
well from any standpoint. and the mem
bers took a sensible view Of 1t when
they concluded that their vindication had
better rest on the action OF last week.
Behind the ostensible reasons for the
rejection Of the resolution we think may
be discerned desire on the part Of a
considerable majority OF the House 20
let bygones be bygones in the Secret
Service controversy with the President
The episode was a purely accidental one.
and reached dimensions wholly out Of
proportion TO the importance Of the orig
inaI subject matter. Two Congressional
committees have been named 70 thrash
out the merits OF the question. but their
inquiries do not necessitate a continuance
OF the quarrel between the two ends
OF the Avenue There are indications Of
a purpose among the conservative mem
bers Of the Senate TO avoid any direct
conflict with the President il possible.
In the matter OF obtaining information
from executive departments. Mr. Hale
pointed out a practicable line Of agree
ment between the Senate and the Presi-
dent After all. the main issue is the
proper and efficient conduct Of the pub
lie business. not the exploitation Of per
sonaI ambitions or enmities, and on this
Issue II ought 10 be easy 10 get together.
Mr.. Roosevelt has displayed a purpose
to supply Congress with all the facts
and records which the legislative branch
has q right 10 demand. and with some
thing more. No really substantial ground
exists for lasting esrangement between
ire President and the legislative branch,
nor IS It our belief that Mr.. Roosevelt
desires a permanent breach.
4 happier and more amieabIs dIsposi-
ton appearing 70 exist on both sides.
we venture to hope that future ructons
vii take the pIeasaEter form OF mere
differences OF opinion rather than OF
rash imDutations OF motive and slash
Ing assaults on regulations. Perhaps
q good deal OF the sound and fury s.
only q quarrel in print" anyway. Yet
some Of It has been calculated 70 deceive
the very elect.