New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-04
MIR. Wilson Signs His Own Certificate
as Party Leader.

When Mr. Wilson signed the tariff bill last night
he wrote his own name high on the list OF fresi'
dents who have had their way as party leaders,
The bill as It came TO him was more his measure
than it was that of either house of Congress, or
both houses. He supplied the energy which drove
it through just he dictated the essential pro'-
sons which made it an honest response TO Demo
cratic pledges History will call 1t the Underwood
BILL but in doing 1t will dstort the facts since
even in the House of Representatives the fresl-
dents views of what the party ought to DO pre-
vailed over Mr.. Underwoods.
No other tariff bill in our history has been so
clearly the handiwork of the Executive In the re-
vision Of 1882 the President had no part II was not
expected in those days that he should have Inc
Mckinley bill framed at the Capitol and 1t
was only after it got into the Senate that secretary
Blaine began his campaign for notifications max
ing possible reciprocal trade agreements with other
American nations. 1t Mr.. Blane's personal IN
fuence rather than the influence OF the Harrison
administration which changed the plans OF Con-
gress and forced a recognition of reciprocity as
the handmade of protection"
Mr. Cleveland tried to write the tariff revision OF
1892 and had the House Of Representatives with
him. But his plans went to shlpwreck in the Sen
ate and the House was finally compelled to accept
n hybrid act which Mr.. Cleveland allowed to be-
come law after denouncing ii measure ''of
perfdy and dishonor." Mr.. Taft had somewh t
similar experience with the tariff bill of 1909. The
Senate refused to respond to his progressive lead
ership, and though he approved the Payne law he
issued at the same time a statement explaining
that in various respects it had failed to meet his
pectations.
Mr. Wilson has therefore carried the power Of the
Executive further into the legislative field than did
any of his predecessors Not only that, but he has
wrested from Congress its former leadership on
questions of legislative policy. He speaks and Con-
gress listens, because Congress is vaguely conscious
that he reflects public opinion better than it does
That is the novelty of the present situation in
Washington, since until recently Congress did not
trouble itself greatly to keep its ear TO the ground
and work in harmony with popular sentiment.
Mr. Wilson has also been greatly helped by cir
cumstances His predecessors had TO deal with Il
stoutly built legislative machine and with leaders
in both branches of Congress keenly jealous of their
power The old machine is shattered and the old
leaders have vanished. The Presidents way has
been made easy and his success is the fruit OF new
conditions in Congress well as of a new temper
H. the White House.
Yet with all allowance made for favoring clrcum-
stances the Presidents triumph is still a note
worthy one On tariff legislation he has not only
led the party but been the party, and he now stands
ready to repeat that performance with the currency
bill The country does not begrudge him the pow
ers of leadership which he has assumed. 1t trusts
however, that he will always use them with as
much discretion and intelligence as he has used
them in redeeming party promises through the Will
son tariff bill.