The Washington times., 1914-07-10
THE SENATE'S STAND.

II is hard to believe that the diff
ference of opinion between the Ad-
ministration and the Senate about
the confirmation of Messrs. Jones
and Warburg for the Federal reserve
board will broaden to the extent of
becoming a serious breach. Both
sides will discover in time that ,af-
ter all such an issue should be deter
mined with primary relation to the
merits of the men involved. Just
at present almost everything except
the merits is being considered with
rather unnecessary heat.
The Senators who have under
taken to oppose the Warburg NOM
nation on the ground that the Sena-
torial prerogative, as part of the ap-
pointing power, is Immediately in
volved, are in strong posture. Con-
stitutionally indicated as very inn
portant part of that authority in the
Government, it has always been
guarded jealousy and insistently;
and on the whole the results have
fully justified the Senate in its at
titude.
Gentlemen may indulge such con-
tempt as they choose for "politi-
clans" in the Senate, playing poll
tics with the great business inter
ests of the country" But whatever
may be thought of the attitudes and
motives of individual Senators, the
fact remains that the Senate is a
big, powerful, self-respecting, and
exceedingly important and useful
body. Presidents have from time
to time discovered that it is the re-
pository of rather more independ-
ence than can be found elsewhere,
legislatively, in our Government.
The Senate Banking Committee
asked Mr.. Warburg to appear before
it; and it is not at all apparent that
the committee was guilty of any i'm
propriety in doing so. Presidents
are wont, before appointing men to
places, to send for and consult them.
They don't always do it, but they are
free to do it, and it is rather an OBJ
vious way of getting acquainted and
deciding finally whether the particu-
lar man is the one wanted for the
place.
Very well; if that is so manifestly
the natural thing for the President
TO do, in deciding whom he shall ap-
point, is it not just as manifestly
the natural, direct, and simple thing
for the Senate to do, in deciding how
it shall act in performing its part Of
the appointive function?
The answer seems so apparent as
hardly to justify discussion.
MIR. Warburg is in an unfortunate
position, and it is he who suffers the
greatest embarrassment. But back
of him is the political situation that
threatens to embroil President and
Senate il a most untimely and I'M
fortunate controversy. Neither party
to that controversy can afford to let
it go on. The country will be dis
gusted with both sides if it is per-
mitted to go on and assume grave
proportions.
Mr.. Warburg at one time insisted
that his nomination be withdrawn;
but it is stated that the President has
prevailed on him to change his mind,
and to permit his name to be further
pressed. Very we'll; the easy way
out is for Mr.. Warburg to change his
mind again, recognize the reasonable
right of the Senate to talk to him
before reporting on him, and appear
before that body's Banking Commit
tee. That would avoid all the diff
culties that just now seem to threat
en-. As to the general result, there
is no great uncertainty about the re-
suit, after that concession to the
Senate's dignity, and to its consti-
tutional prerogative. The Senate is
right on the technical detail that mas
now been pushed to the front; and
the Senate has never been indis-
posed to press that sort of an ad-
vantage. Stubbornness and refusal
to recognize the situation as it is
may cost the services of Mr.. War
burg, perhaps also of Mr.. Jones, and
inaugurate the new financial system
under most unfortunate auspices.
FRFE PASSES ONCE MORE.