The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1913-08-29
THE CAUCUS

who are generally found to be Smart
Alexis, are trying to make the tariff
measure now before the senate un-
popular because its general features
were agreed to in caucus, behind clos
ed doors, and because the president is
using his personal efforts to have it
passed.
Mr.. Chas. S. Thomas, democratic
senator from Colorado, tired of the
mock-heroic and otherwise hypocriti-
cal utterances, defended the caucus
and the action of the president in a
recent speech which has not yet been
answered, and we do not think soon
will be, for the simple reason that
it appears unanswerable.
We wish that his speech coule be
read by every conscientious, fair
minded citizen in the land.
We are sorry that we have space
for only few extracts from it, but
they will suffice to show what mas
terly address it is.
Senator Thomas says:
''Mr. President, the opposition to
this great measure in the senate is
out Of harmony with itself But lit
tie of it is aimed at the bill as a
whole. 1t is diffused and distributed
among different paragraphs, and up
on nearly all of them there is wide
disparity of opinion. 1t is unit upon
two subjects, and two only. These
concern the action of the executive
and of the democratic caucus, both of
which are anathema to the republican
conscience Both indeed have be-
come abhorrent to the bill every
where; to some good men who, while
favoring it in part at least, prefer to
go without it rather than obtain it as
the offspring of such obnoxious and
indefensible processes. Nearly every
speech upon the bill which has thus
far fallen from the lips of senator's
upon the other side of the chamber
has been charged with denunciation
of the twin crimes. of executive ag-
erosion and caucus tyranny. To
tender republican consciences both
these things are detestable. They
constitute in their eyes the dynamics
of modern political conditions; the
sinister manifestations of all that is
repulsive in popular government. Sen
ators are unable to contemplate them
with patience or composure; and all
deem it their duty to denounce the
one and repudiate the other with de-
clamatory indignation. Their passion
ate protests have thus far gone un-
challenged, and if we permit them
to remain so, the public may justly
conclude that by our silence we have
acquiesced in the justice of republi-
can criticism. or that we can not
challenge the integrity of republican
argument.
MIR. President, do not hesitate to
applaud the executive who uses in a
proper manner his great powers and
influence to carry out and make eff
fective the popular will as expressed
at the polls, and the legislative ma
ioritv which Yields itself together as
a means to the end of satisfactory
and comprehensive legislation, to the.
enactment of which il has pledged its
honor. That each of these weapons
may be abused is beside the question,
for that is rue of all powers Wher-
ever lodged and however exercised.
"The president is the executive OF
the nation. He is by the constitution
endowed with a very comprehensive
legislative authority. He must ap-
nroye or veto all acts of congress. Ii
he does the latter, his action is final
unless both senate and house over
ride it by two-thirds vote. He is
also required from time to time to in
form congress of the state OF the TN
ion. recommend to their consideration
such measures as he shall judge ne
cessary and convenient, convene botn
houses on extraordinary occasions,
make treaties by and with the ADVICE
and consent of tie senate, Which, be-
come a part Of the supreme laiF Of
the laad J1ncowed with powers 50
great and fa,, eaching, why should
not the executive who "shalr' rec lm-
mend legislation also exert himself III
a lawful aud prerer manner to secure
its enactment? And how does he in
wade the legislative jurisdiction III
the one instance any more than In
the other?
MIR. President, hostile press has
here and there insinuated that The
president has used and is using the
power of patronage in behalf Ct the
Underwoo biz: No senator has done
him that injustice. He would disdam
the employment of such weapon for
IL.