Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-11
THE PRESIDENT

stitutions, they are not compelled to
accept the doctrine of the infallibility
of a president that is now being ex-
pounded by the morning Republican
newspaper. The president of the Unit
ed States is the chief executive,
charged with the duty of giving ex-
ecutive force to the will of the people
expressed in laws, and vested with a
power of vetoing legislation which in
his opinion is contrary to public in
te-ests.
The presidents power is largely de-
pendent on his judicious exercise of
the advisory function. The people of
the United States are a'ways willing.
to be advised. but they are of all peo-
pie the most unwilling to be hectored.
Theodore Roosevelt's popularity was
due to the fact even in his seemingly
most dictatorial utterances. he was in
reality "the voice of the people," ex-
pressing the will of the people. The
doctrine of the infallibility of the chief
executive is utterly untenabe in this
republic. If It were to be conceded,
and the precedent established, any
president at any time hereafter might
disregard not only ante-election
pledges and promises Ga matter in re-
lation to which there seems to be con-
he might go further and introduce att
the secret behest or the insidious sug-
gestion of various interests, legislation
calculated to help the interests at theI
expense of the people.
Undoubtedly Clifford Pinchot. one of
the foremost authorities on the sub
jects of forestration and forestry, be-
lieved his expert opinion should have
been taken into account; and, being a
conscientious man, he could not rem
der an opinion that was not founded
on truth. All expert testimony is val
liable only in so far as its eXpertness
represents truth, the whole truth and
nothing but the truth.
When a superior official opinion is !
pitted against that of an expert, then
the people naturally wish to ascertainI
the foundation upon which the su-
perior official opinion rests. When
the judge upon the bench rules out ex-
pert testimony he always has a good
and sufficient reason, and one that may
stand the test of subsequent appellate
or revisionary proceedings.
The appellate or revisionary pro-
ceedings in the case of Clifford Pinchot
will be conducted by the high court of
the American people, in the division of
sagacious public opinion. Our reac-
tionary contemporary says the presi-I
dent will discipline any and every
employe of the government guilty of
insubordination. That is what he isl
in office to do"
This statement Is utter nonsense
such screaming folly that we apologize
to our readers for stalking it up. Butt
1t cannot be passed over. Our con-
temporary degrades the presidential
office from that of chief executive of
the will of the people to chief dis
ciplinarian of subordinates. All the
presidents powers are derived from
the people. 1t is by no means certain
that in the instance under discussion
the presidents position is impreg-
nable,'' as our friend says it is, and
that the people will uphold him." It'll
is not at all certain he will be upheld
by that good American and sterling
man of the people, Theodore Roose-
welt.
The presidents powers are defined in
the Constitution of the United States,
to which the president, upon taking
office, VOWS obedience in the following
words:
Il do solemnly swear that I will
faithfully EXECUTE the office of
president of the United States, and
will, to the best of my ability, pre-
serve, protect and defend the Consti-
tuition of the United States"
Our president, whose office is con-
and neither arbitrary nor
disciplinary, has power "by and with
the ADVICE AND CONSENT of the
senate, to make treaties provided two
thirds of the senators present concur;
and he shall nominate, and, WITH
THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF
THE SENATE, shall appoint ambas-
sadors, other public ministers and con-
suls, judges of the supreme court and
all other officers of the United States
whose appointments are not herein
otherwise provided for, and which
shall be established by law; but THE
MAY BY AW VEST the
of such inIerior officers
as they think proper in the president
alone, in the courts of law or in the
heads of departments"
In his fearless attitude on the sub
ject of the conservation of natural re-
sour es, and their protection from pred |
atory interests of the same type and
stripe as those which are attempting
the loot of Alaska, Mr. Pinchot did
his duty to the people of the United
States. And we may remark that if
it was only for alleged "insubordina-
tion" Pinchot was punished, then the
incumbent of the most august and
responsible public office in the United
States might very we'll be accused of
peeVishs childishness, and we would
not think of preferring such a charge
against our worthy president.
No, no. 1t was not the PRESIDENT 3 |
pique that chastised Pinchot for pa
triotic insubordination. There was
more than that. The peoples man is
out. The interests man is in. The