Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-04-17
READS MESSAGE
TO LAWMAKERS
PRESIDENT WILSON BREAKS
PRECEDENT BY PERSONALLY
ADDRESSING CONGRESS.
PLANS TO CONTINUE CUSTOM
lnausurated by Washington and Ad
ans, but Discontinued by Jefferson
After Row-DocUments Since
Read by Clerks.


hington.-President Wilson's de-
termination to read his own message
to congress completely displaced the
tariff and the income tax as subjects
Of chief popular interest, as no presi-
dent since John Adams has availed
himself Of the right. Congress was
amazed when it heard of the presi-
dents plan.
The president regards his method as
one dignified way to keep in touch
with congress. He has let it be known
that he intends to make frequent use
OF the presidents room during ses-
slons Of congress to keep in close
touch with the legislative situation.
Custom Begun by Washington.
Whenever George Washington
wished to deliver a message to con-
gress it was his practice to notify the
two houses that he intended ito meet
and advise" with them on q specified
day. The presidents speech" as it
obtained in the days of Washington
and Adams, was a serious affair, and
during the latter's administration it
was the occasion for demonstration
in the house.
The Inconvenience to which Jeffer-
son refers was found chiefly in the an
sWers to the speeches which both
houses made. These answers were de-
HVered separately to the president,
each house proceeding in body to
the presidents residence, and were
delivered orally. the president reply
ing in complimentary terms.
Stopped by jefferson.
The demonstration over the preai-
dents address during the Adams adj
ministration was caused by Matthew
Lyon, a representative from Vermont
of the Jefferson school, who refused
to march in the procession to acknowi-
edge the speech, and the federalists in
the house took exception. A resolu-
ton was introduced calling for Mr..
Lyons expulsion as a "diabolicaI per
Sonage"
The Lyon incident is thought to
have had a good deal to do with JEFF
fersons decision not to follow the
precedent set by Washington and Ad-
ans. Both these presidents were
Democratic adversaries of Jefferson,
and that also probably had some effect
upon his decision.
Lyon was so bitterly hostile to Ad-
ans that congressman though he was,
he was indicted for criminal libel and,
falling to pay his fine, was imprisoned
in Vermont. AS a Democrat OF the
French school Lyon had the sympathy
of Jefferson and his following, and
they raised purse to pay his fine
When Lyon was liberated and returned
to congress he refused to take part in
returning the thanks of congress to
Mr.. Adams, and the expulsion proceed
ings followed
When Jefferson was elected it Is
thought his mind was already made
up against the speech" idea, and in
bis letter to the presiding officers an
nouncing his intention to send mes
sage in writing" he added that he
would follow that custom for the rest
Of the term. How bitterly Jefferson's
attitude was attacked by the time by
the federalists of the Washington
school is shown in McMasters His
tory of America" Lyon, the history
says, had borne the peers of congress
and the abuse Of the federal press.
These men who sneered at Lyon"
the history says, now sheer at JEFF
ferson"
When a session of congress was
about to begin" continues McMaster,
it was the custom of the great sol
der (Washington) to meet the two
houses in the senate chamber, disclose
his sentiments on public affairs in a
simple speech and receive in return
the respectful assurances that his
words and suggestions would be well
considered. What could be simpler or
more thoroughly republican? But JEFF
ferson has reversed all this, sits in his
place, like an eastern prince, hides
himself from the public gaze, and bids
his secretary carry a note to con-
gress, whom he addresses In the
French style of fellow citizens Might
he not at least have said, Gentlemen
and fellow citizens?'"
Since the days OF Thomas Jefferson
down to the present time it has been
the practice OF the different presidents
to transmit their messages to congress
through an executive clerk The presi.
dents messenger, having in his Gus
tody the presidents message, has by
custom been met at the door of the
senate or house, and his presence is
announced in the respective bodies by
an oficer Of the house in which he ap-
pears.