Evening star., 1912-11-17
PRESIDENT TAFT
GSSWAN SONG
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is. don't care how determined he is
that he himself will not secure his
denomination land there are very few,
indeed, who go to that extent, still
his subordinates, equally interested
with him in his reelection. will. when
ever they have the opportunity, exert
their influence and divide their tune
between the public service and the ef-
fort to secure their chiefs renomina-
ton and reelection.
1T is difficult to prevent the whole
administration from losing part OF
its effectiveness for the public good
by this diversion to political effort for
at least a year of the four OF each ad-
miniStration. Were this made 1mpos-
sible by law 1 can see no reason why
the energy of the President and that
of all his subordinates might not be
directed. rather to making great rec
ord of efficiency in the first and only
term. than in seeking a second term
for the purpose
-Four years is rather a short time
in which to work out great govern
mental policies. Six years is better.
Another suggestion | would make Is
that Legislative steps be taken-for there
IS nothing in the Constitution to forbid
Infringing more closely together the op-
eraticn of the executive and legislative
branches. The studied effort in which to
maintain these branches rigidly separate
is, l think, a mistake. l would not aid
any more actual power TO the executive
in legislative matters, nor would l give
the legislative any more actual power in
executive matters. The veto on the one
hand and the confirmation of appoint
ments and the ratification of treaties on
the other could not change.
But it does seem to me that they need
not be at arms length as they now are
under ouE present system. 1t has been
proposed twice in our history. after tue
fullest consideration by some of the w1sest
statesmen we have ever had. to pass a
law giving to each department head
seat in the Senate and In the mousse ana
right to enter into the discussion of the
proposed legislation in either OF the ma
tional legislative bodies.
This would keep Congress much better
Informed to the actual condltlons IN
the executive departments. 1t would keep
the department heads on the qui vive
with reference to their knowledge to
answer appropriate questions in respect
to them. 1t would necessitate the ap-
pointment to the cabinet of men used
to debate and to defend their positions,
and it would offer an opportunity for
the public to judge of the executive and
his government much more justly and
much more quickly than under our pres
ent system. The rules of the two houses,
as ] am advised, forbid the use of abusive
language by one member against ANOTHER,
and by the member of one house against
the other house. or it's members. some
what close examination of the rules, how
ever, OF both houses does not show that
there is any limitation upon the parlia-
mentary character of the language which
may be directed against the President
AS to him, the members pursue their
own sweet will, and that sometimes leads
them into language and epithetical de-
scription of the chief executive that could
hardly be called complimentary.
Reasons for Advocating Change.
If members Of the cabinet were al
lowed the floor, their very presence would
suggest in the possibility of reply, mod
Grafton in discussing the administration,
which does not now at all times prevail.
The strongest reason for advocating this
change, however, is that the influence
that the executive shall have in shaping
legislation shall be more in harmony with
the responsibility that the people hold
him to in respect to it. He is the head
of the party that elected him, and as such
if Congress is controlled by the same
political party, as 1t generally is, he is
looked to to shape the congressional
policy and to secure the passage of the
statutes which the party platform has
promised.
Now, with such burden on him, he
ought to have a greater means of bring
ing about what he wishes in the character
of the legislation to be considered by
Congress, and greater powers Of persua-
sion to secure the adoption Of such legis-
lation than those which the mere right to
send messages and the mere opportunity
of personal consultation with leading
members of the House and Senate give
him. / doubt not that the presence OF
able cabinet officers on the floor OF each
house would give greater harmony OF
plan for the conduct of public business
in both houses, and would secure much
more valuable legislation in accordance
with party plans than We have now.
"On the other hand. the system would
enable Congress to come closer to the
executive and pry more effectively into
each act, and compel a disclosure of the
reasons justifying it Immediately at
the time of the act and keep the pub
lie more quickly advised by the direct
questions of hostile critics. which must
be answered. of the progress of busi-
ness under executive auspices.
No Place for Sensitive Man.
'One Of the results of my observa-
tion in the presidency is that the posi-
ton is not place to be enjoyed by
sensitive man.
THE experience in the presidency
toughens the hide Of the occupant so
as to enable him to resist the stinss
of criticism directed against him from
the time he takes Office until he lays it
down. A query arises in respect to
criticism and attacks that are made
without the slightest reference to facts,
and merely for the purpose of invoking
popular opposition and distrust, and
with the hope that by constant repeti-
ton they escape any possible
refutation. / don't know that this evil
has been any greater in this admin
istration than in a previous admnistra-
tion. All I know Is that 1t was my
first experience, and that it seemed to
me as If had been more greatly tried
than most Presidents by such methods.
The result in some respects is un-
fortunate, in that after one or two
efforts to meet the unfounded accusa-
tions despair in the matter leads to
indifference, and perhaps to an indif-
ference toward both just and unjust
criticism. This condition helps the
comfort of the patient, but / doubt
if it makes him a better President. Of
course, the reasSuring formula that
history will right one and will give
one his just need of praise is con-
solatory, but it is not altogether salts
factory, because the thought suggests
itself that the time for remedy or the
injustice may be postponed until one
is gathered to his fathers, and when
he is not then particularly interested
in earthly history or mundane affairs.
Il think the/ period for successful
undertaking is gradually drawing to a
close I hope So We must consider that
the ebullition In undertaking literature is
only one of the temporary excuses OF the
times which is curing itself by tiring