Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-28
LtNCIlEONS AND RECEPTIONS
NItIk NGED IN Ills 10 NN}

Mr. Tat Is the guest OF President
and Mrs. alderman while lie Is AT the
university. The Colonnad. Club will
give reception ia his honor to-mUr-
row night after tbs second lecture y
number OF lunchcOns and receptions
have been arranged for him by mem
bers OF the faculty at their homes.
Mr. Tafts general subject is The
Executive Power: It's Powers, Duties
Responsibilities and Limitations He
began hts first lecture b. saying: Il
am here TO talk 10 you on a subject
with respect 10 which ] claim no spe-
cial learning from the books but to
which ] can bring practical experience
that the necessary pauc!ty in living
cX-Pres!dents makes what cxccp-
ional Retirement from office 10 !.
place OF study and contemplation. rath-
er than OF action, mobiles somewhat
the View formed. This, / think. IS
significant OF the value o, const!tu-
t!onal limitations and or having them
interpreted by another branch OF the
government than that 10 whose action
they apply
After his reference TO the onc-term
theory, Mr. Taft said
Il think IL would have been better to
bring the executive a little closer in
touch with Congress in the initiation OF
legislation and its discussion notably
In the matter of budgets and the eco
nonical administration of governmental
affairs. But we are in an age OF icono-
clasts. and should a movement gain
force TO Introduce some slight amend
nents which experience would sustain,
the benefit 20 be derived might be far
outweighcd by the danger OF radical
changes In the Constitution. subvcrsive
or the great benefits that il has secured
10 the American people
CHANGE IN VETO POWER
WOULD HIRING: DANGER
Mr.. Taft traced the bepinniupS NJ no
executive function as worked out in
the United States. ard then took up
various phases OF that function. Speak
ing OF the veto power. he said The
veto power does not include the right
10 veto part OF q bill. The lack OF
such power In the President has en-
ahied Congress at times TO hiring TO bear
pressure on him TO permit legislation
10 go through that otherwise he would
veto. While ii would be useful for the
executive to have the power OF partial
veto, II we could always he sure OF It's
wise AMI conscientious exercise | am
not entirely sure that * would be a
safe provision. II would greatly en-
large the influence OF the President
already large enough from patronage
ana party loyalty and other causes
am inclined TO think that IL IS better 10
trust TO the action of the people in con-
dcmning the party which becomes re-
sponsible for such riders than TO give.
In such powerful instruments a TENN
tation to it's sinister use by a President
eager Tor continued political success"
Mr.. TAFT commended the action OF
President Wilson In addressing Com
gross in person on the occasion OF the
delivery OF his annual message on
this point he said: II think the limo.
walton is 4 good one. 1t fixes the at
tention OF the country on Congress. and
thus that of Congress on the recon-
ncndations OF the President cannot
refrain from n smile. however. when I
think or the oratory which is lost he
cause Mr.. Roosevelt or | did not in.
aueurate such n change"
Mr.. Taft illustrated many Of the
points he made with excellent stories
His concluding sentences were a plea
for sympathy, and, as far as possible
support OF the President Every Pres
idnnt does the best he can" he said.
while we may differ with him IN judg-
ment, while We may think he does not
bring the greatest foresight to his
task. that he may select poor instru-
ments for his assistants and therefore
may properly vote against his contlnu-
hhce In Office, we must remember that
While he is In Office he Is the head OF
our government. We should Indulge
In his favor the strongest presumption
that he acts under high sense of duty.
correct ideals and disciplined inteIli-
Rcnce acquired in n great university
like this should impose on It's members
special responsibility as gentlemen
ana Americans to conduct themselves
as friendly and respectful to constituted
authority and to the President. because
II was the American people who chose
MIN ana, Tor tho time being. nc Is tho
personal embodiment and representa-
i've or their dignity and majesty"