The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-15
Wilson AS a Lobbyist

discussing with lively interest the assertion
made by Senator Townsend. OF Micng san .n ma
nv the Democratic secret caucus upon the max
ing OF a tariff BILL constituted 1.-The nearest ap-
Congress that the investigation committee would
be able to find" Various opinions are e1-
pressed. but large majority OF the press seems ms
to regard Townsend's allegations as uhcaheo AoI
and altogether baseless. 80
No one unless he is avowedly hostile to
President Wilson, will accept Twonsends asser-
ton in any way seriously. Whatever MI Will
son has done In connection with the framing
of the tariff has been actuated by his deep
interest and by his desire to see the Democratic
party's platform pledges fulnlled
The only possibly pertinent point that might
be injected into the discussion Is how far
president may go in contributing to legislation.
That he should not have the privilege OF dis
cussing with congressmen the details OF pro.
posed measure would be an absurd proposition;
but whether every measure should be an expo
slton of his ideas and not The Ideas OF iegis-
lators Is another and very different question.
Congressman elected by the people to work
out legislative problems and they should relegate
their duties to one else, not even to the
president. While they may listen to him, give
respectful heed to his suggestions, and seek
his advice. they must realize their own respon-
sibility and give service arising from their
own conclusions-from their own honest judg-
ment--and not forced into opposite channels
through the wishes thoughts of others. Mr..
Wilson has the privilege to talk to every man
| in congress and every man in congress can
give him most respectful heed. and accept and
| consider carefully all that he has TO say but
1t is not right. proper either, that the occu-
pant Of the White House should in any way
usurp the prerogatives of the lawmakers
Apparently there is little danger that Pres-
| dent Wilson and Democratic representatives in
congress will disagree in any way seriously.
Certainly leaders of the party seem TO appre-
ciate the earnestness and sincerity OF Wilson's
purpose and his wish that legislation may be
kept close to Democratic principles. Thus far
neither MI Underwood. Senator Simmons. nor
any other representative closely identified with
tariff making has exhibited any signs OF dis
| tress They seem to have got along splendidly
with the president and there is no reason why
the future should bringany change. Their cor
dial relation should continue. and 1t will con-
tnue of the duties of the executive and the
legislators do not counter to another.
Whenever the cordially of relations ends we
can be sure that side the other has
departed from its line of activity as laid down
by desirable precedent and by the doctrines
News
Repelling Advances
Miss Ethel Barrymore, taking tea at the
| Colony club in New York. talked about the
perils of the stage.
! NO matter how beautiful a girl may be-"
said Miss Barrymore, the perils Of the stage
need not alarm her. Let her only keep her
head and she will be all right"
/ She must keep her head-she must repu =,
date advances with good humor-and she'll get
ay Na Let her emulate the pretty
There was sign on house In New Rochelle
This handsome residence. with its appurten-
one day a motor stopped and a good looking
man rang the bell and inquired about the
! sign.
| What he asked. do the appurtenances
mean?'
"'oh said the pretty housemaid. they are
the outbuildings. the garage. the tennis court
and forth
THE man smiled tenderiy at the pretty maid
stading before him with her hands in the pock-
| cts of her dainty apron.
land are you an appurtenancer he said.
Are you to be let with the house, too?'
she smiled and shook her head.
No she said: I'm to be let alone.'"-Chi-
cago Record Herald.
Nothing Serious
The St. Louis Globe Democrat relates that
Clarence H. Mackay, apropos of an tnterna-
tonal marriage of the purely mercenary sort
said:
This reminds mo Of Duluth girl who we'd
ded marquis.
"'Alphonse.' the girl asked evening, why
have you been strange and cold to me?'
THE Marquis scowled and said:
Didn't you tell me last week that your
father was failing?'
'Yes-physically falling she replied.
"'Oh.' said the marquis and his look bright
ened He heaved sigh OF relief Oh said
he. that's all right then. I thought it was
something serious"