The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-04-01
HARD WINTER
ON PRESIDENT
and CABINET
(By Winfield Jones).

Washington, April Never in the
officials and administrative officers
been so closely tied to their posts as
since the Democratic House of Rep
resentatives made good on its promise
to start an investigation of every de-
partment Of the government service.
Those Cabinet members who have
not already been placed on the grill
by some House investigating commit
tee are momentarily expecting to be
called. Records are being raked over.
data compiled. and much testimony
has been adduced at the command of
the Democratic investigating bodies,
each of which has been clothed with
plenary power to compel the attend
ance of any witnesses desired.
Courtesy and custom exempts the
President of the United States from
appearing before an investigating
committee of Congress, but were it
not for this it is probable that Presi
dent Taft himself would have person
al and direct knowledge of the thor
oughness of the several probes started
by the Democratic House.
1t has been nearly twenty years
since any systematic investigation of
tho admin Giro tion of tho voriouc do
partments has been attempted. Be-
fore the last November elections the
Democrats promised that if they were
placed in power of the House they
would undertake wholesale investi-
cation of the red tape and the waste
alleged to have been fostered through
continued Republican rule. At the
time the threat was not taken serious
ly, but no sooner has the Democrats
come into power before the machin-
cry of inquisition was put in motion
and the various investigating com
as to the thoroughness of the probes
This has meant work for the Cabi
net officers. They have been forced
to dig into records that have been for
gotten and they have been required
to furnish the House with information
both complicated and discriminating
If the information desired has not
been promptly forthcoming the House
committees have seemed inclined tC
send hurry up" summons and the
cabinet officials and their underlings
have been kept on the jump.
OF course there is considerable re
sentiment in Republican ranks, but Il
is unavailing. The Democrats, in the
House at least, have the upper HAND
and there remains nothing for the
Cabinet officer to do except to remain
at his desk and send over such data
as may be demanded by the Demo
Gratis.
It has been a hard winter on tn,
President and his official family. Thu
happy-go-lucky existence they hav'
enjoyed under the long rule of thu
Republican party is no more. Ever!
Cabinet officer is on the anxious seat
not knowing where the Democratic
lightning will strike next. The Presi
Dental campaign is in full blast ant
it is encumbent upon the Administra
| ton to make the best showing posi-
BILE, hence the Democratic investiga
tors have to be handled diplomatical
ly, and the Administration must a
least show a willingness to give thu
investigating committees all the ali
possible.
At the same time, the Cabinet OF
acers wish that Congress would ad
journ soon in order that they ma
steal away to the mountains and tn.
seashore and forget all about charge
of irregularity and extravaganza i
4 the departments.