Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-04-07
TO DELIVER MESSAGE
TO CONGRESS IN
PERSON..
DRAMATIC SPECTACLE TO
BE STAGED TUESDAY
Wilson Adopts Practice Of Washington
and Adams to Force Congress to Pay
Attention to views-A9nounesment
Of Action Creates Sensation Among
Lawmakers.

(! Washington, April THE dramatic
spectacle of the president OF the
United States personally addressing
congress will be staged on Tuesday
when Woodrow Wilson will deliver
orally his first message.
! Thus a democratic president will
! shatter the precedent of communica.-
! ing with congress in writing. which
was established in 1901 by Thomas
jefferson, the founder of the democra-
/ tic party.
! Mr.. Wilson will return to the prac-
tice first set by George Washington
(! and later observed by John Adams. He
will interpret literally that provision
/ of the constitution which provides that
| the president shall from time 10 time
] give to congress information on the
state OF the union and recommend to
their consideration such measures as
he shall judge necessary and eXpedl-
ent"
Wilson'S Plan Stirs Congress.
The purpose of the president, which
was announced officially at the White
house last night, has stirred congress
as few things have done in recent
times. The president is actuated in
this matter by desire TO obtain the
benefit of presenting his views directly
to senators and members of the house,
rather than thru the course, so long
observed. of transmitting a printed
message by means OF secretary. Inc
latters appearance in either house is
recognized perfunctorily by the chair.
and he delivers the document Entrusted
to him.
| At a convenient time the message Is
read. but few senators and members
listen to it. They are furnished with
| copies which they read at their leisure,
and some of them do no more than
merely glance at the communication.
Plans to Force Attention.
Aware of the degeneration of the re-
ceipt of a presidential communication
into a routine proceeding. President
Wilson has decided to return TO the
old spectacular custom and force the
! two houses of congress to listen to
his views
| His decision in this respect has met
with the cordial approval of Senator
Kern, the democratic leader in the
senate. and the ostensible approval OF
/. Congressman Underwood, the demo-
cratic leader in the house. The latter
| " i'll introduce resolution in the house
| TODAY inviting the senate to joint
session on Tuesday. The senate will
accept promptly the invitation. The
president will be formally requested to
address congress.
hsre's Custom Of Early Days.
Kinds Precedents." which the Of
| fetal book Of reference in connection
with parliamentary proceedings. de-
scribes the practice in the early days
! of the republic, and which will be OBJ
| served in the case Of Mr.. Wilson, as
follows:
The two houses met in joint meet
| ing. either in the senate chamber or In
! the hall of the house. and the president
addressed them. He was sometimes
accom- panied by his secretary and the
heads of the several departments OF
the government. 1t seems to nave
been the custom for the president r
take the chair Of the speaker (wher
the Joint meeting. was held in the hal
of the house,, the president and the
clerk of the senate being placed on the
right Of the chair and the speaker anc
the clerk Of the house on the left
Cabinet Will Accompany Wilson.
J. President Wilson will be accom-
panied by his entire cabinet, who vii
be given seats on the floor. Dividing
| interest with the president will b.
William Jennings Bryan, the man wh'
is the most feared and hated by ma
jority Of the members of his party II
both houses