The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-03-11
ADMINISTRATION
IS A YEAR OLD.
Twelve Months Ago Woodrow
Wilson Led Militant DemOc-
racy Into Control of the Ma
tiOnal Government for the
First Time in 20 Years.
CongaeSs Has Been in COntinu-
GUS Session and Has Accom-
plished Much Work.

The Democratic administration was a
year old last Wednesday. A twelve-month
ago at noon, March 4th, Woodrow Wilson
took the oath Of office, ushering the DEM
ocrrcay into control of the national gov
ernment for the first time in twenty years.
At the White House, in executive quar-
ters generally and in congressional circles
the day served to recall the fieeting year.
Members Of congress realized that except
for a short breathing spell at the Christ
mas holidays they had heen In practically
continuous session.
From the time the president broke CEN
tury-old precedent and stood before an as
sembled congress to urge enactment OF a
low tariff there has been close cooperation
between the chief executive and Democrat
ic leaders In congress. Enactment Of the
tariff law on October 8, 1918, making vital
changes in import duties, was followed by
the signing of banking and currency act
on December %, 1918. These two laws and
the ratification Of the arbitration treaties
are the things which the presidents friends
were pointing to as the direct result Of the
intimate contact established between the
executive and Legislative departments.
Much of the presidents time and energy
have been spent In wrestling with q
troublesome Mexican situation, as vet un-
solved, and the diplomatic tangle with ia
pan growing out of the passage by Cali
fornia Of q new anti-alien land law. Late
ly he has been devoting himself to re-
habilitation Of the foreign relations OF the
United States, to drafting with Secretary
Bryan Of new peace treaties, the settle
ment Of the Panama tolls controversy
with Great Britain. difficulties with Colum-
bia growing out Of the partition Of Pana-
ma and many other subjects Of foreign
policy.
Five times the president has appeared
before congress, delivering messages on
the tariff, the currency. Mexican affairs,
the annual report on the Estate Of the
Union" and trust legislation. Recommen-
dations Of his annual message for the
building Of an Alaskan railway, rural
credits and antitrust reform are still In
the hands Of congress with assurances OF
leaders that they will be made law before
adjournment.
Interest In the presidents sixth message
was apparant when it became known he
would address congress last Thursday In
advocacy Of the repealsofi the clause ex-
empting American coastwise shipping
from 4he payment of canal tolls. Mr.. Will
son for the first time asks congress, par
ticularly his own party, to reverse itself,
but his argument is that when congress
last passed on the question present inter-
national circumstances did not then exist.
The president believes general distrust
Of the intentions of the United States has
arisen and because Of doubt existing on
the Interpretation Of the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty he urges the repeal Of the provision.
Washington residents to whom the ways
and manners Of president have been a
matter Of intimate observation, have
watched President Wilson with interest.
He has broken many precedents. His
ways have been quite informal, but the
most conspicuous characteristic Of all
Is his disinclination to making public
speeches. He has declined hundreds Of
invitations and has attended only one pub
lie banquet-Wednesday nights ceremony
of tho National Geographic Society in honor
Of COL Goethals. His trips out Of Wash
ington have been few. While congree has
been in session the president has made it
point to be at his desk continuously.
Mr.. Wilson appears with uniformed
aide only at army or navy functions and
the motorcycle which used to precede the
presidents automobile have lbeen sub
stituted by car with secret service men
who follow inconspicuously behind so that
the president drives about Washington at
tracing only little attention.