The Paducah evening sun., 1910-03-07

though elected by districts, are
chosen with reference TO their sup
port of certain men for the ministry
and certain national measures. An
election on specific issues In Eng
land definitely settles the adoption
of policies Just as soon as parlia-
ment can act.
In this country usually our BRAIN
lest men cannot reach the presi-
dency, If they enter politics, for the
very good reason that they are
elected from the nation at large,
and must plaeate a vast army OF
political forces as well as appeal to-
all classes of people in all sections.
A personality that wins friendship
and avoids enmity, seldom found in
a forceful character, and one that
appeals to popular sentiment Isl
more useful for the presidency. The
real leaders of the government have
been the leaders of congress. The
president has usually been a party
president, and so has been a figure
head, obeying the behest of the con-
gressional leaders. Congressional
elections do not reflect national sem
timent, as do presidential elections.
Congressman represent their dis
tricts and senators represent their
states, and so long as most of them
secure material benefits in the way
ments for their respective districts
and states, and the kind of tariff ar
their home industries
demand, their seats have been Sc
cure. The leaders have been strate-
gists, who held their places by trad
ing. Hence, the patchwork charac-
ter of legislation. and the arduous
process by which national legislation
has been impressed by national
thought.
Grover Cleveland was an excep-
tion TO the rule of presidential figure
heads; but the long denied political
appetites of congressional constitu-
ents harried the majority in the two
houses. and the president speedily
found himself quarreling with an
undisciplined party organization.
1t is due to the fact that presi-
dents are chosen usually by these
party leaders, that vice-presidents,
coming into the executive chair
without feeling this dependent rela-
ton, don't get along we'll with the
leaders of congress. Roosevelt and
congress clashed continually during
his term. In addition to insisting
on adopting progressive policies, the
president found it necessary to-
break the organization of the major
ity in congress, which is but swap
ping deal. anyway, benefitting priv
ate interests, and in nowise reflect
ing public sentiment. He was sup
ported by the insurgents" which is
an organization OF progressives from
the west, actuated as much by a de-
sire to free themselves from the
domination of old leaders. as by a
desire to forward the Roosevelt poll
cies.
Against the wishes of the congress
sional coterie, President Roosevelt
and his wing of the party succeeded
In nominating w. II. Taft, who has
entered upon his duties possessed of
the idea that he. and not the con-
gressional leaders. is the head of the
party. He cares nothing about
whether the Cannon-Aldrich COM
bine, or the insurgents" control the
house and senate organization, so
they pass laws in accordance with
platform promises. In fact the in
surgents like presidential inter-
ference no better than do
the regulars; but Taft has
so far proven himself master of the
situation. He has in his hands a
certain amount Of patronage, but he
has used the moral consciousness
and the attention of the people more
than anything else in forcing con-
gress to consider promises made at
the last presidential election. AL
ways good natured, but always firm,
tactful and discreet, the president
retains public confidence in his inte-
gritty and good intentions. Meas
ures are drawn by the attorney gen.
eral at the presidents direction, in
order that they may be easily con-
strued, constitutional and effective,
and free from any suspicion that
might attach to bills drawn by the
discredited congressional leaders. III
the bills are not enacted, as drawn
by the attorney general. congress is |
responsible and the publicity and the
opportunity given for comparison
place the responsibility clearly where
It belongs.
q r q n = q a q q q q q q |