Barbour County index., 1910-02-02
A Mere Subterfuge

In his consideration Of Mr. Pinchot's
ofense in writing letter to a Senator to
be read on the floor Of the Senate,
because it might influence public judg-
ment in a matter which had been or
might be the subject Of executive action,
the President seems quite to have over
looked the case Of Mr.. Secretary Bal
linger. He seems to have overlooked
the fact that Mr.. Pinchot's letter was
called forth by one written by Mr..
BalGnger. "denouncing certain Forestry
Officials and written to Senator, for the
express purpose Of having it read during
session Of the Senate as a part Of its
proceedings"
On the 2lst day Of December, Sem
ator Jones Of Washington, after stating
upon the floor Of the Senate that he had
discussed with Secretary Ballinger va
rious charges" made against the Interior
Department, caused to be read from the
Clerks desk letter addressed to him
by MIR. Ballinger, and obviously written
for the purpose Of having it made public
through its presentation to the Senate.
In this letter, Secretary Ballinger
charged that the pernicious activity Of
certain officer" Of the Forest Service had
been the source or inspiration Of the
criticisms and representations Of corrupt
or improper practices" relative to coal
lands and other public domain in the
Territory Of Alaska" and asked that the
Forest Service be included in any investi-
cation which should be ordered.
Search the records for a case to match
i'll Behold member of the cabinet
whose department has been charged
with corrupt or improper practices rela-
tive to coal lands in Alaska, angered at
other officials Of the executive department
because, as he says, they are the source
and inspiration Of the charges. Behold
him ignore his superior, the President,
and come by letter upon the floor of the
Senate to file charges against his official
colleagues Of the Forest Service, men,
bers Ct the executive family. He does
not complain that they have violated any
statute or betrayed any public trust but
that they have criticised and inspired
criticism and charges against other officials
Of the same administrative household and
urges that>they be investigated by Con-
gress. He ignores the fact that under
the Constitution the executive and legis-
lative are separate, independent, and CO.
ordinate branches Of the government;
that Congress has no authority over these
executive officials; that the President alone
can deal with them, acquit or condemn,
approve or punish.
No criticism is made by the President.
or by any Of Mr. BaIiuger's friends in
Congress Of this most extraordinary con-
duct on the part Of the Secretary Of the
Interior in addressing his complaint against
certain forestry official" to the Congress
rather than to the President. For it is
quite as patent that the BaIEnger letter
was written to Senator Jones to be read
IN the Senate as that the Pinchot letter
was written to Senator DoIEyer with the
expectation that it would be read IN the
Senate.
The BalGnger letter called forth and
was responsible for the Pinchet letter.
The BalGnger letter received no rebuke
from tie President. The Pinchot letter
is made the basis Of an executive order
removing from Office man Of the high
est character. whose public service is an
enduring monument to his name.-La-
Follette's.