The Washington times., 1913-03-25
THE PRESIDENTS RESPONSIBILITY.

There is no need for anybody to worry abol
whether President Wilson will appreciate the flu
measure of his responsibility in connection with tn
tariff legislation The misgivings expressed on thu
point represent either interests that would like t
see the revision become disaster to the party, i
else they voice the inevitable opposition of those ole
fashioned elements in Congress that have not ye
learned that the country elects President with tn
expectation that he will manage" Congress.
In this regard, it is good thing to forget Wash
ington opinion and look to the country for the sent
ment of the United States; and that is just what tn
new President seems to be doing "Washngto
opinion notoriousy is about the poorest reAectio
of national opinion that can be found There ar
plenty of intelligent, well-informed people in tn
public service here; but the curious composite Q
prejudice, ambition, cooked-up information purveye
by lobbies and press agencies, partisan politics, an
office seeking or holding interests-all this in tn
Washington ferment gets about as far from repre-
senting the feelings of the American people as it
possible to get.
Let us see whether the country expects the Pres
dent to NEEDLE in the business of Congress" a
to tariff making In 1909 President Taft held him
self aloof from interference" He let it be under
stood that he would exercise his pref ogatve of veto
if necessary but would not undertake to direct tn
deliberations of Congress. That passive attitud
served exactly the purpose of men who mistoo
Washington opinion for national convictions abou
the tariff When it came to the scratch, the Presi
dent, of course, didn't veto the bill. 'Washingto
opinion" was agreed tnat to do that would wrecl
his Administration. Today washington opinion" i
just as firmly agreed believe, that if he had We
toed it his Administration would have been start
ed right instead of wrong 1t is not easy for Presi
dent to veto the tariff bill his Congress passes;
is vastly easier and better to do just what the coun
try expects of him. which is to regard himself as re
sponsible and insist being heard concerning tnt
character of the legislation that shall come to hin
for signature or veto.
Following his signature and Endorsement of tht
tariff bill of IeO9 Mr. Taft the country repudatt
the Congress that had passed it. The election of 1915
might be construed as a verdict on the Congress
rather than on the President But two years late
the country got its chance to pass opinion on the
President who had declined to interfere with the
prerogative of Congress-" and the reputation tina
was voted against the President was vastly more EN-
phatic than that which mad been passed the tariff
making Congress.
President Wilson'S New Jersey career, and the
beginnings of his work in Washington, alike point tc
the certain conclusion that he is not going to repea
the mistake of President Taft He is going to have
hand in the making of the tariff measure, and he
is right about it. That is just what the country ex
poets of him. 1t elected him largely because i
guessed he would be the sort of President who would
d. that sort of thing 1t reckoned that he would be
able to maintain the necessary aloofness from
washington opinion" the desirable touch with ma
tiona feelings.
Let the lobbies and the log-roers worry as they
will; let tine constitutional sharps bemoan the low
estate in which Executive usurpaon makes Congress
an adjunct to the White House The country knows
what it expects of its President, and it is a good
guess that the President knows too
President Wilson's job, right now, is to use all
the power he has t. get the best possible tariff passed
by the House; then to steer it safely through the
Senate then to sign it if it is defensibe md to veto
it if it isn't If he makes the best possible fight for
what he wants. and what he thinks the country wants
and Congress defeats him. then he will be in secure
rosition to employ tine veto The country will stand
with him. To veto bill in whose making he had
refused to take a part as party leader and as the
constitutional authority vested with the duty of advis.
ing and recommending, might cause trouble for a
President but to veto bill after warning that he
must be considered in its making, would not injure
the President. Rather, it would strengthen Linz The
country would very decide whether It stood with
the President or with Congress; and in the presen,
temper of the country there is little difficulty FORE
casting its verdict.
Wanted to Be Sure.