The Washington herald., 1909-06-07
PRESIDENTIAL DUTY.
A Cali OF Mr.. Taft for Exercise o
Constitutional Functions.

A Cali OB Mr.. Taft for Exercise of
Constitutional Functions.
From speech b Senator NeElands. JUne 3
The power OF recommendation is one OF
the most valuable powers contained In
our Constitution. Il is the power given
TO the leader OF a great party elected to
the Presidency OF the United States 70
indicate 10 the Congress what he regards
as appropriate legislation. It is the only
way in which the attention OF Congress
and the attention Of the country can be
focused upon needed reforms. That pow
er was availed Of by Mr.. Roosevelt; and
I undertake to say that II II had not
been for the free exercise OF that power
by him not a single one Of the reform
measures OF his administration would
have been adopted
No one can criticise the President for
not having made thus far such a recon-
mendation. IL only becomes q necessity
when he finds that Congress Is unwilling
70 act IN the line OF the reform 10 which
he and his party are pledged: but II the
progressive Republicans OF this body
present 10 the President OF the United
states a suggestion for the reeommenda-
ton derived from their experience in this
the United States recommends their sug-
gestion 10 Congress. or z without the aid
OF the progressive Republicans OF this
body. upon his own initiative and inquiry.
he makes a recommendation. which, II
enacted into law. VIII lead 10 the reduc-
ton OF excessive duties. he win bring be-
hind II a power Of public opinion that will
force its passage through this body.
The Senator from Rhode Island is ON
nipotent now because OF the power OF or
ganizatiOn- The feeling is sedulously en-
couraged throughout this body that the
men who are identified with him are the
real Republicans, and that the men who
are outside Of his ranks and who wish 20
redeem IN good faith party pledges are
insurgent and rebellious- An endeavor
IS being made 20 impress the entire eoua-
Try with the idea that the men who stand
in the Republican party for a reduction
OF excessive duties are not Republicans.
Let the President accentuate this issue;
let him present II clearly and decislvely
either in a recommendation regarding
special schedules or IN a general reduc-
ton Of the rate OF duty or in the declara-
ton OF a formula by which excessive du-
ties may be gradually and automatically
reduced. and he VIII bring behind his Ut
terance the power OF public opinion, that
public opinion which was behind ROose-
welt. and which drove the Senator from
Rhode Island and Republicans o. Ike
view finally into reluctant acQuiescence
as 20 some Of his reform policies 70 which
they were opposed. The Senator from
Rhode Island belongs 10 that class OF
statesmen who believe that everything
that is Is right. and everything that ought
to be is dangerous; but I cannot believe
that all the men who are associated with
him are OF that view. There are many
OF them who viii follow a resolute Presl-
dent, insisting upon the principles his
party has declared in its last platform.
and appealing not only TO Congress. but
70 the country upon the issue. and the
organization which the Senator from
Rhode Island has built up VIII melt away
before a formulated public opinion d.
rected and led by a President whom the
people trust.