Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-04-16
President Wilson Skaters Prec.
edent by Personally Ad-
dressing Lawmakers.
A RETURN TO OLD CUSTOM
First Set by Washington, But Dropped
by jefferson After a Row in
Which Congressman Was
Indicted

lcSiSidtiFe lucas 10 the UOOr OF con-
gress in person. for President Wilson
on Tuesday noon appeared on the floor
Of the house of representatives and
read his tariff message TO the two
houses-the senate assembling as the
guests OF the house.
Presidents Washington and Adams
are the only chief magistrates who
ever delivered their messages to con-
gress in person. but both were found
ers Of the republic. and their action
had no particular significance. Presi-
dent Adams did it only once. and since
then the presidential messages have
been sent to congress in writing.
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 specified
day. Inc presidents speech" as il
and Adams. was serious affair. and
during the latter's administration il
was the occasion for a demonstration
in the house.
Stopped by Jefferson.
The demonstration over the presi-
dents address during the Adams adj
ministration was caused by Matthew
Lyon, representative from Vermont
Of the Jefferson school, who refusea
to march in the procession to &C
knowledge the speech, and the FEEDER.
alists in the house took exception. A
resolution was introduced calling for
Mr. Lyons expulsion as 'diabolical
parsonage"
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
Adams. Both these presidents were
Democratic adversaries of jefferson
and that also probably had some ef
feet upon his decision.
Lyon was so bitterly hostile to
Adams that, congressman though he
was, he was indicted for criminal libel
and, failing to pay his fine, was i'm.
prisoned in Vermont. AS a Democrat
of the French school Lyon had the
sympathy of Jefferson and his follow
ing. and they raised purse to pay his
fine.
Assaulted for Stand.
When Jefferson was elected it is
thought his mind vas already made
up against the speech" idea, and in
his 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 his term. How bitterly Jefferson's
attitude was attacked at the time by
the federalists of the Washington
school is shown in McMaster's His
tory of America" Lyon, the history
says. had borne the jeers of congress
and the abuse of the federal press.
These men VINO sneered at Lyon.
the history says, now sneer at Jeffer-
SON.
When a session OF congress was
about to begin" continues McMaster.
1T was the custom of the great soldier
(Washington) to meet the two houses
in the senate chamber. disclose his
sentiments on public affairs in sim
pie speech and receive in return the
respectful assurances that his words
and suggestions would be well consid-
cred What could be simpler or more
thoroughly Republican? But Jeffer-
son has reversed all this, sits in his
place. like an eastern prince, hides
himself from the public gaze, and bids
his secretary carry note to congress,
whom he addresses in the French
style of fellow citizens Might he
not at least have said, Gentlemen and
fellow citizens?'"
Jefferson Gives Reason.
On December S, 1901, the secretary
of President Jefferson appeared and.
addressing the speaker of the house.
announced that he was directed by
the president OF the United States to
hand him a letter accompanying
Communication In writing The let
tel accompanying the annual message
was as follows
sir - The circumstances under
which we find ourselves at this place
rendering inconvenient the mode here
tofore practiced of making by personal
address the first communications be-
tween the legislative and executive
branches, l have adopted that by mes
sage. as used on all subsequent occas
sions through the session. In doing
this. have had principal regard to
the convenience of the legislature. to
| the economy of their time, to their re-
lief from the embarrassment of I'M
mediate answers on subjects not yet
| fully before them and to the benefits
thence resulting TO the public affairs.
Trusting that a procedure founded in
! these motives will meet their appro
baton, beg leave through you, sir.
to communicate the enclosed message
/ with the documents accompanying it
! to the honorable. the House. and pray
you to accept .or yourself and them
the homage of my high respect and
consideration"
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 pres
! ident's messenger. having in his Gus
toey 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 officer OF the house in which be ap
pears.
The message then is transferred 70
| the ,stody Of the employe who has