The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-20
THE sENAIE's RIGHTS.
Introduces Resolution and Calls for
Declaration OF Its Prcrogaflvc of Ac-
ce~s to All Records OF Departments.

ce~s to All Records OF Departments.
Washington. Jan. 13.--Senator Ba-
(con Of Georglis today introduced res
olution declaring that "ary and every
public document. paper or record. or
copy thereof on the files OF any de-
ps<tment of the government relating
70 any subject whatever, over which
ecngrexs has any grant OK power. jur-.
= iniiction OF CO qntrol under the constitu-
ton. and anti Information relative
thereto within the possession OF the
officers OF the department Is subject
70 the call or inspection of the SEN
ate for Its use In the exercise of It's
constitutional power and jurisdiction .
Mr. Bacon said it was OF especial
Importance because of the recent mes
sage Of the president. In which he
stated that lie had directed the at
torney general not to give information
as 20 what he had done In the bring
ing OF suit against the. United States
!, steel corporation for its absorption Of
the TENNESSEE, Coal and Iron Com
psny.
Complaining that the language OF
Y 49, president IN his steel corporation
message had not been ''distinguished
py itc extreme courtesy" Mr.. Bacon
proceeded; 'srhIs Is the first time that
the denial OF the right of the senate
has ever been made In such unlimited
and emphatic language as that now
employed By the president
senator Hale expressed the opinion
that the president has not taken
square ground on the right of congress
to direct THIS transmission of papers
by the head OF departments.
Mr.. Bacon said the president did
not stop at questioning the senates
reason for Its Inquiries. but that he
had said the heads OF the executive
departments were subject to the con.
stitution. to the laws passed by con-
srss and 10 the direction OF the pres
ident OF the United States. and to no
other direction whatever"
That" said Mr.. Bacon. Is az broad
a. human language car make it,
senator Hopkins challenged Mr.. Ba.
cons contention on the ground that
not congress Lu; the senate alone re-
Gently asket for the Information r..
garding the action OF the attorney gen.
erai and Mr.. Lodge asked whether
congress I'm the judgment of the SEN
ator from Georgia. had right to de-
mand papers from the state depart
ment.
AS an absolute rlghs." Mr.. Bacon
replied. Yes. but OF course while
congress has the right II exercises its
discretion ir, such matters"
Mr.. Bacon said that the president
had but one royal power and that was
the power of pardon. All other pow
ers. he said. the president exercised
I'm conjunction with congress.
Senator Fulton declared that while
the congress had the right to COM
mand heads OF departments. 1t had no
power to enforce Its comamnds. He
said. I'VE should provide way to
enforce our power to command"
Mr. Bacon did not agree with this
view that there was no way TO enforce
this power. lie suggested that the
power OF congress To withhold salaries
was one way TO emphasize this end.
but said the fact that the power TO
enforce may be difficult does not at
feet the power.
Senator Teller asked that Mr.. Ba-
cons resolution be allowed to lie on
the table that II might be discussed
later. He referred to statement by
Mr.. Hale that cabinet officers are not
mere clerks and said that II depends
upon who is at the head OF the gov
ernment.
1T also depends upon the kind Of
men the president has under him."
said Senator Tillman.
II do not think any self-respecting
secretary would take orders from the
president" said Mr.. Teller.
The resolution was laid aside for
the day