Bisbee daily review., 1910-06-10
ENGL|SHMAN SAYS PRESIDENT
OF THE u. S. IS A OESPOT

LONDON. June s.--Harold e. 0crsS,
scthor and son of Sir John Gorst. IS
= result Of a visit to the United
States recently, has set himself to
comparing the systems of government
in America and Great Britain and
the power welded by president and
king. A large section of the com
munity in England has been squeal-
ing lately about the tyranny of the
peers, but in Mr. Gorst's opinion it IS
nothing compared with the tyranny
of the United States president. which
is practically unlimited.
To visit America, the land of dem
ocracy. and discover the head OF the
state 10 be the greatest despot In the
world" he says. was a severe shock
TO preconceived ideas. The preroga-
tives of the crown in Great Britain
are highly important and far-reach-
Ing. Many British subjects are un-
aware OF have lost sight of the pow
ers vested in the sovereign. The
King for instance. can choose his
own government. II he distrusted
Mr. Asquith. or Mr.. Balfour. there is
nothing in the constitution to pre-
vent him from sending across Wind
sor bridge and summoning an Elton
boy TO form an administration.
This. of course. Is only a theoret
ical estimate OF the royal prerogative
In practice the sovereign is limited
in his choice of a statesman to con
trol the destinies OF the empire. Re
sponsible politicians viii only consent
10 serve under their recognized lead
ers. Disraeli told friend that he
once committed the indiscretion, on
resigning office. of advising the late
Queen Victoria to send for Gladstone
Drawing herself up. the queen oh
served. with cold dignity. when
want your advice. Mr.. Disraeh, ! viii
ask for it,"
There are many things the kins
can do besides ehoosing-under prac
teal limitations-his prime minister
As the supreme executive author
ity.~ he can dismiss all public serv-
ants civil sand military. He can
send an the sea lords packing. put
the chief officers Of the army and
navy on half pay. negotiate the sale
Of ireland or South Africa and give
the empire the coupe de grace by
making peers of the entire house Of
commons
We are far more democratic In
our ideas and our institutions than
tie people Of the United states" OBJ
served Mr.. Gorst. Their tendency,
in every direction. is towards monop-
oly and exclusion. The president en-
joys-or is saddled with-the great
est political and administrative mo
nopoIy in the history Of civilization;
gigantic trusts are absorbing and mo
nopolizing one important industry af-
ter the other: a handful Of spectators
threaten to monopolize wealth; labor
unions direct and monopolize work
and the women monopolize employ
ment."
In examining some 81 the presi-
dents powers. aud comparing them
with the authority Of the king of
Great Britain, no single individual
Yields, under the British constitution,
anything approaching the autocratiC
power OF the chief executive Of the
United States.
The king. OF course. IS kept strictly
aloof from politics; while the presi
dent Of the United States mixes him
self UP with them as much as he
likes. It is his business to-
The truth is" says AIr. GOrst
that the presidents advisers are
constitutionsny- farce; for he is al
lowed to select his own cabinet. AND
ne chooses them. not from among ex
perienced and well-known administra
tors. but. from among his own circl'
Of friends
I'm England. the kings advisers
save from the nominal choice of
prime minister-are selected for him
and each constituency has. in ID
case Of a commoner. a good deal {
say as 30 the choice. And. further