Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-08-17
Newlands' Statement.

Discussing his resolution. Mr.. Newlands
said:
The American people have been for
four years demanding revision OF the
tariff. Both parties have declared for
II. and the House the Senate and the
President have all declared that they
favor reduction in certain schedules, but
they differ as To the principle which
should control and as 10 the amount OF
the reduction. The President has vetoed
certain bills. but declares his willingness
to join Congress in making material re-
auctions In the wool and cotton sched-
ules.
1t Is clear. therefore. that there must
be an interchange OF views IL any re-
duction is TO be made, and to adjourn
without doing anything. when all
agree that something should he done.
Is to plead guilty TO the indictment
which the -, third party has framed
against representative government as
at present conducted.
Conferences Not Provided.
1T is objected that the Constitution
points out no method OF bringing the
President into conference with the
House regarding legislation. The same
thing Is true OF both houses OF Con-
gress. The Constitution prov ides no
method of bringing them into confer
ence regarding matters of difference,
and yet they do confer and they do
harmonic their differences. through
committees appointed for that pur-
pose. Why not extend this system OF
conference to the executive. with a
view of bringing all the parties re-
sponsible for Legislation into harmony
on disputed questions?
Il nder the Constitution the President
is an indispensable part Of the legis-
lative power, and there can he no obJec-
ton. either under the provisions OF tho
Constitution or common sense. why SEN
sible methods should not be adopted in
order to accomplish a sensible thing.
The Constitution provides that the Presi-
dent shall make treaties and make APP
pointments to Office by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate.
Washington did not hesitate to GO
down to the Senate and confer with IL
personally regarding matters of their
joint Jurisdiction. liz is the height of
unreason to contend that the President
and both houses OF Congress should not
communicate with each other In some
sensible way regarding legislation which
SO vitality affects the public interest, and
with reference to which all admit the
necessity but differ as to details
Resolution Discussed.
The immediate consideration OF the reso-
hutton was objected to by Senator Smoot
or to fixing a time for a vote on it. But
this did not prevent considerable discus
sion in the Senate az to the constitution
atty Of the proposition. and over the
question OF more harmonious and work
able relations between the two branches
Of the government.
Senator Lodge read to the Senate
message of President Madison of July q.
1919, in which Madison declined to meet
with a committee OF Congress appointed
to confer with him.
Senator Lodge took occasion to read
also for the edifcation Of the Senate the
incident relative to a visit of President
Washington to the Senate with reference
to the ratification of certain treaty
Washington. according TO the chronicler.
when he left the Senate chamber said
he'd be ID IL he ever went there
again
Senator Root of New York sympathized
with the Newlands resolution. and asked
for an investigation TO ascertain II there
was not some way to bring about more
workable relations between the President
and Congress. He said that the present
situation exemplfiei the need for some
such plan.