Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1911-03-08
RouRNE,s BRAVE SERVICE.

RoURNE'S BRAVE SERVICE.
Il would have as much respect for
common ward heller who buys votes
at the polls as for a president of the
United States who uses his appoint
ing power as means of persuadine
members Of congress to determine
their course Of action. One transac.
ton is as dishonest, as corrupt and
as depraving as the other, but It'd
latter is more dangerous, more in
sidious, more pernicious than the for
mer because it strikes at the very
foundation of free institutions, sets
a precedent for corrupt methods in
all official life and marks the begin
ming of dictatorship and decadence
of the nation"
In these singing. words, uttered
in public speech on the floor Of the
United States senate, Jonathan
Bourne of Oregon has set land
mark in American history.
We Doubt if ever before, even in
the days of heat and passion just pre-
ceding and Just following the great
civil war has a president of the Unit
ed States been SO boldly and just
ly indicted by a senator of his own
party. Senator Bourne has, been for
several years personal friend, even
crony of Presiden. Taft. That It
Is at Mr.. Taft his challenge is di-
rected is made unmistakeable, since
he chose, as a tex. fer his speech,
The famous Beverly letter" in which
the president admitted that he had
withheld patronage from the insur-
gent senators because OF their insur-
gency. In that same letter Presi-
dent TAFT promised he would discon-
tinue that policy and treat the insur-
gents therefore same as ether re-
publican senators. But he has not
Kept that promise. He is now refus
ing to recognize Senator Bourne in
making Oregon appointments, and
hence the senator's sensational at
tack.
| That it is an attack we'll founded
no thoughtful man can deny. All
that Senator Bourne says is true.
There is little diff renee between a
ward heller buying councilmanic
votes with money, lobbyist legisla.
tive votes either with money or fay.
ors, and a president using the an.
polntmems which the American PEG.
pie have placed in his control to in.
q fluence senators against their iudg.
ment and will ON any matter that
comes before them in their officia.
capacity.
1t was, II may be admitted, the
) height OF audacity for Senator Bourne
to quote the federal statutes
which define as crime, and pun
lshable as a crime, the very actions
which he charges against the pres:
dent, and to which the president has
In effect confessed. And yet it was
an audacity well employed in tht
name of good government. TIL,
. president should be president, not /
dictator. The fad.ral congress
should be a coordinate and free de
partnent of government, not cring
ing vassal to the president wh:cl
must do as he demands on pain o
executive disfavor, and which is pub
, licly summoned to barter its indepeu
' dence and self-respect in return TO
executive patronage. The presiden
: should depend on the merits of hi
case for eventual victory when h,
finds himself at odds with the legis
, lative branch of government and no
at all on the promise to give or thu
threat to withhold jobs worth s,
many thousand dollars each.
Senator Bourne has, in the mes
!, striking and effective manner poss,
Bile, challenged the attention Of tn
a country to this evil which has grow
up in the federal government. B,
boldly turning the searchlight full
Upon it he has done much, yer,
much, to insure its cure. He ha.
done his country great service.
service which will appear larger an,
Drawer a generation hence than
does today.-World Herald.