The Washington times., 1914-04-12
THOMAS v. W|LSON"
GETS INTO "RECORD"
Congressman Johnson Quotes
Caustic Comment President
Wrote in 1879.

In 1879 one Thomas W. Wilson. pub.
lished In The international Review Ger.
tain caustic comment on Congress- and
likewise observed that the Presiden,
can seldom make himself recognized as
a leader"
These old observations were called tc
the attention of the House late yester-
day by Congressman Albert Johnson. a
Washington Republican. who wanted to
put extracts from the magazine article
into the Record.
Who is this Thomas w. Wilson,
chorussd Congressman Murdoch and
BI-ailton, showing iustifable curiosity.
He is now Woodrow Wilson, Presi-
dent Of the United States. and Wood
row Wilson is also this Democratic Ad-
ministration."
Thereupon Mr.. johnson was allowed
TO read into The Record the views. vim
tage of 1879, of Thomas W. Wilson. The
Washington Republican, who demon
strated that he is quite a deliver into
musty literature, deemed 1t unnecessary
to say that the President has not al
ways preferred the name of Woodrow.
Thomas W. wilson" said Mr.. john
son, says that Congress is delipera-
tive body in which there is little deli
berstion, and legislature which legIs-
lates with no real discussion. he says
that committees cannot properly do the
work and that full debate at the proper
time is not allowed Thomas W. VIII
son says that under the Cabinet form
of government, platforms mean some.
thing and that broken promises Will end
in broken power. He also says the
President can seldom make himself
leader and that cabinet officers are
hut litrla heftPr than chief clerks.
Thomas W." Now Woodrow"
And who did you say this Thomas
w. Wilson is?" some one asked again.
As l have said" answered Mr.. Jonn-
son, he is Woodrow Wilson, the Presl-
dent, who Is leading on this gradual
overthrow Of representative Govern
ment, and has, as Senator Crane says,
for the time being obliterated Con-
gress.''
Mr.. johnson then put into the record
extracts from the Magazine article en-
titled, Cabinet Government in the
United States" He explained tl.at the
magazine so long as it was published
circulated both in this country ard in
England. Thomas W. Wilson was
quoted as follows:
SOnSTSSS Is d VI HI
harmonious elements; a collection OF
men representing each his neIghboT-
hood, each his local interests; all or II
is at best only iimping comparison
between the conflicting and innumerabie
localities represented There is no
guiding of harmonizing power.
The President can seldom make
himself recognized as a leader. He Is
merely the executor of n sovereign
legislative will; his Cabinet officers are
little more than chief clerks, or super
intendents of the executive departments.
who advise the President as to matters
In most OF which he has power Of
action independently
Commenting on the reference to
Cabinet officers as chief clerks" Mr..
Johnson interjected. This is worse than
being knocked into cooked hat
Continuing, he said:
In this article Thomas w. Wilson
intimates that no nigh spirited man
would long remain in the office of the
Presidency, in which he w-s not per
mitted to pursue a policy. and that If |
defeated by both houses OF Congress he |
would naturally resign.
Would Become Precedent.
"He says:
IF defeated by both houses he |
would naturally resign. and not many |
years would pass before resignation
upon defeat would have become estab-
lished precedent and resignation upon
defeat is the essence Of responsible
government
THAT is the Rritish cabinet way and
the way of Presidents OF some repub-
lies other than this" said Mr.. John
son. 1t is not the American way, as
some other things ere not American
which we have been asked to do.
TndiCating that Thomas ". Wilson
was opposed TO gag rule in 1879. while
acGuiescing in it on the Panama tolls
Tepcal bill ] quote from his article:
Congress is a delibcrative body, in
which there is little deliberation. 4
legislature which leGislates with no
real discussion of its business. Gov
"rnment is practically carried on by
committees.
"I find another extract which MAJ be
Of interest. viz:
1T Congress is Z dcspotism which
'Iscs all its power With all "a ayri"c, all
the s"orn for settled poIicis. all the
wild urrestraint which makes the
methods Of other tyrants SO hateful
- freedom
THAT" concluded Hr. Johnson. is
the View of Thomas w. Wilson. now
President Wilson. when he was Il
Toung man Of twent:-three or twen-
y-fOuT