The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-19
TIE PRESIDENT AND MS PREMIER


TIE PRESIDENT AND HIS PREMIER.
"A man who violates a party plat
form is Il criminal worse than the man
who ombezzlcs money! said William
speech. II view OF tho fac. that the
Baltimore platform OF the Democratic
party expressly says: we favor n
single presidential term. and to that
end urge the adoption of an amend
inent TO the Constitution making tho
BILE for reelection, and we pledge tho
candidate OF this convention to this
principle John Callan O'Laughlin
Washington correspondent of the Chi
cago Tribune, declares that off Presi-
lent Wilson were to be candidate
platform, and have visited upon him
Mr.. Bryan's wrathtul denunciation-''
Nj oLaughlin says:
al; was a striking thing for Mr.
Bryan TO say, and it has aroused con-
siderable talk among Democratic poll
ticians. Some Senators close TO the
President insist that before Mr. Bryan
accepted the State portfolio. he had
an understanding with Mr.. Wilson as
10 the purpose of the latter not TO run
again. others. who frankly dislike
the secretary, asset he is trying to
bring about a condition that will make
it impossible for the president 10 be II
candidate. In this event, the Ncbras
kan would appear in the primaries as
candidate for the nomination, and
with the personal following he enjoys.
It is thought he could defeat even the
President for the nomination"
Tho fdllacy IN Mr.. O'Laughln's
statement lies in the fact that no one
is able to interpret the one-tcrm dec
laraton in the Baltimore platform.
No one has ever proposed that If an
amendment to tho Federal Constitu-
ton limiting the president to a single
term DO passed, such term should be
but four years. Looking at the pro
posal in the light of contemporaneous
discussion by politicians and pub
licists, 1t must be seen that a single
term of six years is the least tenure
that has been Suggested Nobody
knows just what the Democratic dec
laration means, but few, II any, have
construed il rs limitation TO
single term of four years Neither
AIR Wilson nor MI. Bryan has ever
offered his interpretation of the plank.
Reasonable mon cannot discover in
Mr.. Tryan's platitudes about platforms
any yelled or unveiled criticism OF
any future course of President Wilson.
The relations between tho President
and his premier are cordial and friend
~. The President has openly made
1t known on several occasions that he
deeply appreciates the political ntti-
tude Of his right hand man. Even
Mir O'Laughlin who views things
through the somewhat smoky glasses
of a Republican Progressive admits
that for Mr. Bryan 1t must be said
that he IS showing an unexpected
loyalty 10 the administration" for
he declines TO Announce any policy
until the President has passed upon 1t.
He will make no appointments with
out the Presidant.x approval and. in
fact. has turned down many of his
most Jealous and lifelong supporters
who have asked him for Jobs"
President Wilson. and not Secretary
Bryan. enunciated the Latin Ameri-
can and Chinese loan policies Of the
administration, although the latter
was consulted ana gave his approval
II was President Wilson. and not sec
rotary Bryan, who was really speak