New-York tribune., 1911-02-28
Bourne Attacks President.

Senator Bourne. of Oregon. father ~
ax "Bourne's salvation army contrib
uted To the Lorimer filbustcr and To the
entertainment Of the Senate and the oc-
cupants of the galleries this evening by
a virulent attack on ex-President Roose-
welt and President Taft.
In spite Of the fact that Senators were
surprised. no one said word in defence
Of the President nor attempted to inter
rupt the Oregon Senator in his delivery
Mr. Bourne. apparently entirely uu-
mindful Of that buundless admiration
which he once entertained for Mr.. Roose-
welt. and which led him to devise the
pleasing sophistry known as the second
elective term theory. and with equally
dim recollections Of the part he played
in furthering Mr.. Roosevelts political
programme. denounced in unmeasured
terms the course of the former Presi-
dent in seeking TO influence the choice
of the Republican National Convention
of 19OS.
Then turning his attention TO the pres
ent occupant of the White House. who
formerly addressed the Oregon states
man by the endearing term of "O!d Sec
ond Elective" Mr.. Bourne read into the
record Secretary Nortons maladroit
communication. popularity known as 1.-THE
insurgent letter" and charged that this
az ri, ct a liShn n1 III
plorabe and despicable subservience
uron the part of the legislative branch
and a dangerous and demoralizing usur-
patton upon the part of the Executive
Senator Bourne said that the use of
the Presidential appointing power to
coerce members of Congress would be
either bribery or intimidation-bribery II
patronage was used as a reward. and In
timidation if withheld as punishment
In this connection he read Section ., ,4oO
of the Revised Statutes. making 1t a
crime for any person to offer or give
ANYTHING Of value TO any member oil
either house of Congress with intent To
Influence his vote or decision upon any
matter pending in either house. Con-
tinuing he said:
The natural inference from the Nor
ton letter is that the President OF the
United states used federal patronage to
influence the action Of members of Con-
eress. This is charge which no citizen
can discuss without regret. yet the whole
subject is Of such vital Importance in
the preservation Of representative gov
ernment that / would feel remiss i'm my
duty if I failed To call it 10 the attention
of the country and place i'm available
form such informa ton relating thereto
as may come to my attention. The I'M
and despicablc subservience on the part
of the legislative branch and danger
Gus and demoraizing usurpation upon
the part of the Executive.
"The Beginning Of Dictatorship"
Il would have as much respect for a
common ward heeler who buys votes at
the polls as for "A President of the United
States who uses his appointing power as
"A means Of forcing o" persuadng mem
bers of Congress To determine or change
their course Of action. One transaction
is as dishonest. as corrupt, and as de-
praving as the other but the latter is
more dangerous. more insidious. more
pernicious than the former. because IL
strikes at the very foundation of free
institutions. sets a precedent for cor
rupt methods in all official life. and
marks the beginning Of dictatorship and
decadence OF the nation.
But Mr.. President, the use OF the ap-
f.atInusd an fourfI mare