The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-06-22
.COODNOW PRAISES NEW
CHINESE CONSTITUTION
Much Like Drafts Drawn Up by tho
American at Request OF
President.
MODELLED AFTER JAPANESE
Practically Supreme Powers Over
Executive and Administrative
Branches OF Government Con-
ferred on Chief Executive.

| GoodnoW. who plans to give up his
! post of advisor to the President OF
| China and return to America In August
| to become president of Johns Hopkins
| University. is pleased with the re-
| vision OF the Provisional Constitution
| OF this country, Though the revision
| OF the Constitution Is criticized and
| ridiculed by the foreign press published
| In Chtna-the Chinese press not daring
! to do so. Goodnow say Ii is much like
the drafts which no drew up at the
request of the President. ut Is modelled
| in large measure" says Goodnow.
| ION the Japanese Constitution. making
| allowance for "a President az differing
from an. Emperor"
1t will be remembered that Presi-
| dent Yuan Sh-K;,i found the Pro-
| vis.Onal Constitution. which the revo-
| lutionists drafted two years at Man
! king. unsuited to the effective admin :
| istration Of affairs during tho critical
| first years of the republic He desired.
therefore, to see the permanent Con-
| stitution drawn up on lines which he
| deemed suitable to this country. Bur
| those radical refortnerS who wanted a
| peoples government" disregarded the
| Presidents wishes and advice. and,
| when the Parliament was assembled.
| undertook the work of drafting the
permanent Constitution not only with
out seeking his assistance. but In dis
tinct opposition to him. The commit
| tee selected to do the work declined
| TO receive a message from him and
| also refused TO admit his personal
einissa rIcs into their conferences
| Thercupon Yuan Shi-kai took matters
| in his own hands. issued n mandate
dissolving the kwo Ming Tang, the
radical party. which was the largest,
and thereupon dislocated the Parlia-
ment. The presidential mandate de-
clared that the Ilwo Ming Tang was
4 nt.Rt ST. y f11. l.
the state by interfering In hostile
| manner with the administration and by
creating a rebellion in the Southern
Provinces The mandate referred to
the so-called second rebellion.
FORCIBLE DISSOLUTION
ORDERED BY PRESIDENT
AS a result OF the forcible dissolution
of the Kwo Ming Tang, the Parliament
cea eed to function. because there was
not a sufficient number of members
| left to muster a quorum. The Presi-
| dent later caused committee to DO
appointed for the purpose of revising
the Provisional Constitution. The COM
mite was composed directly and in
| directly Of nominees OF his own group
| of politicians: and the present revision
| was the result.
AS reported in the cable dispa tches.
the revised Constitution gives the Pres
| ident practically dictatorial powers.
! He mas held them hithcrto--to such an
extent az any single man can be die
tator-but not legally. He is now sur
| rounded with the form of legality.
| "JRpan's Constitution" Goodnow ex-
plains. has been successful attempt
| to adapt ideas OF European representa-
! tive government to an Asiatic people
that has always had an autocratlc gov
| eminent. The last two years especially
| shows that the Japanese people are
getting control of their mt
| II looks TO me as If a Constitution like
that now adopted by China. If the peo-
pie only work 1t, Is capable of devel
oping representative government
"Of course, 1t is true that the Presi-
dent has wide powers under tho Con-
stitution. He has. in the first place
practically supreme powers over the
| executive and administrative branches
OF the government. He appoints all
civil and military officers, and has the
power to dismiss all officials with the
single exception of judges: and his ey-
ercise OF this power is not subject to
the control of the legislature.
He has also large powers of leg
iSiature, and holds practically absolute
veto power over the actions OF the Leg
islature. This is to say. has power to
issue ordinances not contrary to law
TO promote public welfare, as we'll as
executions of law. And In times of
urgency. when the Legislature cannot
be called together. he has the power
10 issue ordinances which supercede
existing law. These ordinances diff
! ferent from ordinances issued In pro
motion OF public welfare. must be sub
mittcd to the Legislature for approval,
and If disapproved become void. 1t
VIII thus he seen that the President
has concurrent power of legislation
with regard to matters which have
not been reeula ted by law
CAN PREVENT I,IEGJSIA
ny HE POWER OF VETO
By means of the power of the veto
he can prevent legislation On tho
other hand. the Legislature is given
10 power for repeating either express
lN.or impliedly unless it's action secures
the Presidents approval.
III, however, a legislative body which
Is at all efective can be developed 1t
Is hardly to be doubted that It will ex-
dents power OF legislation II the
body Is capable it will not hamper him.
If 1t Is effective and really represents
inc people. the President will not be
likely OF use his power TO veto in Sc
rious matters.
For tho past two years this country
mas is; been financed by foreign loans. In
tnis way the annual heavy deficit in
revenues has been made TO meet the
Increased military and other expense,
Unless we can look to a great increa Sc
cording to the Constitution, be made
by the Legislature, whose action ia
also necessary for any increase in tax.
| atlon. The early English Parliaments
did not exercise control over the mn
pro prop they had authority only
over taxation 1t was only later tbo,
control OF appropriations developed i'm
THIS CONSTITUTION
,, ONLY pROVJsIONaU
This Constitution, It is to he ra,
ineinbered. Is still q provisional Con-
Sn.ution. adopted for the purpose OF
nermaiittinE transition with safety and
as little friction as possible from the
ann'n ,ra I'll government OF the past to
men, nrenI based on European ideas The
provisional Constitution Itself provide.
ior permanent Constitution. which 10
10 nc submitted to n citizens confer
cnce TO be convoker by the Preside.+
Wick aTd 10 n be SSrsanized by the Same body.
provisional Constitution. n eYnnwI
ence should show that tie powers
tbst Constitution arc too large p and
EXISTING In China for n legisIative hn oM
capable Of effective action RI de,,o oouS