The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-18
CONFESSION or A SHEEP.
A Democrat = Tribute 70 the Great white
Heuse rsych aKoEue.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suH---sir: IL
were a member OF the present Congress
i should probably be moved to write you
as follows:
It would seem proper tina, one or another
of US who has been through the mill at
the White House and come out thoroughly
pulverized and prepared for the SUISSE
quent kneading Of Congressional dough by
the President should tell something OF how
II feels. Pretty much all OF us in both
houses have been ground more or less
fine, but for obvious reasons there has
been no desire to describe the experience.
My own district IL not an important one.
but as member of a committee rather
deeply involved In the Presidents pro-
gramme j have come in for my share of
subjective treatment. The process WAS
most painful to the subject.
On reaching the White House In obedi-
ence to the Official command, 1 was al
lowed certain interval for meditation be-
fore being called to account. Ny thoughts
ran freely on tho reported experiences Of
my predecessors. and when my time came
found myself In a decidedly subdued
and tremulous condition OF mind.
The clasp Of the Presidents hand gave
me a distinct shock OF what may call.
for lack Of a better name, magnetic
power. felt a sort Of galvanic tension
seize upon my entire nervous system
found IL difficult to let go. and when the
President released me l collapsed fac
cidly in the nearest chair with a sense of
exhaustion and defenoelessness.
My recollection OF what occurred there
after Ia extremely confused. From the
moment the eyes OF the President secured
hold of my own I fell into an intellectual
torpor and my personality seemed reduced
to "a mere register OF his will. The eyes
burned into my inner consciousness, tho
face took on weird effects OF unfsthomable
he
tense yet reserved manner Of the Presi-
dent gave mo impression of being dealt
with by an intelligence remote. unap-
proachable. far withdrawn from my
own sphere of existence, yet strangely
pervasive OF every faculty Of my under
standing.
From this interview. IL such an OK
which my own tongue seemed 10 be tied,
] retired with little or no remembrance
OF the Presidents words. but with a new
point of view OF which ] could give no
consistent account whatever. Beliefs and
ideals quite strange to me had come to re-
place my former views OF the questions at
issue. and remain my convictions to this
day. And on every occasion Of voting
since my conference with the President 7
have recorded the will Of the Adminlstra-
ton with fidelity born OF an inspiration
which I am utterly unable to trace to any
rntlOnhl PROGRESSES OF my own Hlliius
In giving out this explanation OF the
Presidents marvellous control OF Con-
gress, I am aware Of venturing O greater
! frankness than may he pleasing TO the
self esteem OF most of my confreres. and
that l am likely TO arouse indignant pro-
! testations OF immunity on their part from
! similar experiences OF weakness. Few men
care to be quite disingenuous in Il matter
/ OF this nature. The Presidents own In
sistence on the psychological aspects OF
his very remarkable administration Of his
/ office. however may be held to JUSTIFY a
| full recognition of the truth regarding his
peculiar ability to dominate Congress. The
| fact seems to be that the President pos
sesses psychic powers OF a very high order
| and when he has made use OF them In Il
| private interview with n Congressman the
| Individual retains vivid and extremely
persistent conviction that he has heard
| his masters voice. NJ.
| WARRINGTON, II. c., June II.