Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-05-16
Mr.. straus To The President.


Of Baltimore, candidate for United States
Senator to succeed Senator Smith, sent
letter to President Wilson severely criti-
cising him for his proposed interference
with the election in this and other States.
but particularly in Maryland.
Mr. Straus bases his criticism on the rep
reservations made by the Baltimore Sun,
in which it was declared on several occa-
sions that Mr.. Wilson would use his per-
sonal and official influence to bring about
the election Of the candidate he had selected
to represent Maryland The letter. care
fully prepared, is couched in terms Of re-
spect, but it is none the less severe in its
arrangement Of the Presidents course. His
close friends, to whom the letter was sub
mitted before it was sent, pronounce it one
of the most powerful state papers issued
from any source in this country
Mr.. Suaus' argument against the right
Of the federal executive to choose or inter-
fere in the choice of Senators from States
is based upon historical and constitutional
grounds, and both vigorous defense of
the rights Of the States and trenchant
attack upon the plan and course of inter-
ference which is attributed to the Presi-
dent.
The letter further contends that the pro-
posed course Of the President if carried out,
would destroy the vital principle of the
separation, independence and equilibrium
OF the three great departments Of the fed
eral government, which the Constitution
establishes as equal and coordinate within
the sphere assigned to it :" that further
1T would be misuse and perversion OF
the power and patronage of the federal
government, which were delegated and
created for objects perfectly defined and
never intended to be applied to the purpose
Of controlling or influencing State cleo
tons" Finally Mr.. Straus argues that the
contamination Of any such course of con-
troll by the Federal Executive Of the cleo
ton of United States Senators from the
States would completely change the char
acter Of the government of the United
States, both intrinsically and in its rela-
ton to the States. transforming it from a
federal into centralized and imperial
system, with the President at its head and
al the vast powers, now so equally dis
Fibuted and balanced orbed and con-
leDtrsted in himself"
Alter contendins nat the President s
alleged attitude is utter conflict with
ile principles Of IN Democratic party as
iHs protector Of the rights of the States
aud 81 che people Of the States to govern
ilemseiyes Mf sun1s anllyzes the effect
pr such o course upon Tie Senate itself.
PIE points on. that the theory and purpose
q the Senate is 10 give presentation di-
sectly Co the State then ,lves in the gen.
erai goyeumeDt that the Senate all
ghe States ere squat and that by the ex-
press guarantee OF Tire Constitution no
State without ils consent IS to be deprived
% is equal naiasc in lie Senate. 1t is
then argued ~ the lst,r. that Senators
picked on and chosen by the President
through ne power and resources of the
Government would no longer represent the
State, but the President, to whom they owe
their elections
In conclusion and apart from all the
considerations above addressed to you, why
should the President interfere in the cleo
tons Of Marylandf Why should he try to
influence the action of our voters at Their
pollsf Why should he attempt with the
vast powers at his command to pre-deter.
mine their choice Of their public officials
| am sure that, as President and person.
ally. you cannot think the people of Mary.
land are incapable Of self-government Of
that they cannot be trusted to conduc
their own elections and choose their owl
representatives for the Senate or any othe
post OF public duty. No one can doub
that you must and do know that the PEG
pie of Maryland are fully capable of self
rule and entirely to be trusted to do thes,
things. am sure that you would not in
suit their intelligence and manhood by tn,
slightest intimation to the contrary. VII,
then permit others to do so. professedly OF
your behalff Why permit such declara.
tons, specific and unmistakeble in thei
import and gravely published and circu
lated by a responsible press, to remain
uncontradictedH Why not declare to thi,
State and to the country that you hav,
not picked out anyone anywhere for al
Office to be filed by the SURFACES of III,
people; that you will not interfere will
elections in any State; that the alleges
scheme Of prescription and spOils is total,
foreign and repugnant to the dignity an,
character Of your Office. and the high pur
poses Of your Administration and that s,
far as your Office and its influence ar,
concerned the voters Of the States shall
continue to vote as they have always don,
like freemen in free landi
IL is with the earnest and anxious hop,
that in your great wisdom you may deem
It proper to make such an announcement
in terms too clear to be misrepresented O
misunderstood that have with the mos
profound respect addressed to you thi
communication.
AS yet the President has made no repl,
to Mr.. Straus letter.
Miss KarfieId Becomes A Countess