The Lamar register., 1915-09-29

preceding republican congress had
gone the length Of a democratic con-
gress elected on a platform of econ
omy. The last one made record for
extravaganza. 1t embarrassed the
President and brought down ridicule
upon his administration"
All of which is true except that the
censure is grossly misplaced when it
is unloaded upon congress, and also
excepting the statement that congress
embarrassed the President. If the
President has been embarrassed, it is
due solely to his own action. He has
absolute control over his cabinet. That
cabinet asked for appropriations to
the amount of SS4,OOO,OO0 more than
the last congress appropriated, though
the total appropriations Of that dem
ocratic congress were Sl77000,00O
more than were made by the last re-
publican congress. The real fact is
that by asking for so much money the
Wilson cabinet embarrassed congress
and made its work far more difficult
than it should have been.
If the democratic congress had re-
ceived any cooperation whatever from
the President in its effort to econo-
mize, there might have ben a diff
ferent story to tell. But the President
in his address to the two houses of
congress, at the opening Of the last
session, said that the American peo-
pie are not jealous of the amount of
money appropriated if they get what
they want for their money. No words
could have been uttered more plainly
inviting congress TO extravaganza. If
that language means anything, it
means that if the people get for local
public buildings and other pork" they
will not criticise the administration. Of
course President Wilson put it in the
more dignified language Of the col
lege professor, but its meaning could
not have been otherwise than a call
for larger public expenditures.
Undoubtedly, President Wilson will
send an economy message to the next
congress, and attempt to pose before
the country as the watch dog of the
treasury. But the American people
are possessed of more than average
intelligence and have habit Of read
ing and remembering. Moreover, the
people are honest enough and cour-
ageous enough to place the RESPONSE
bility exactly where it belongs, de
spite the studied efforts of the Pres
ident's friends TO shift the RESPONSE
bility entirely TO congress, where only
a lesser degree Of blame should be
placed.
1t is true that the democratic con-
gress passed extravagant appropria-
ton bills, but it did so under pressure
from the Executive departments. Not
one Of these appropriations became
or presumably would become a law
without the consent Of the President.
Now, if the defenders Of and apol-
ogists for the President can get any
consolation out Of the record, they
are welcome to exploit it to their
hearts content. Not one Of them has
the hardihood to challenge the verac-
ity Of the fighting democratic chair
man Of the house appropriations COM
mittec, Hon. J. j. Fitzgerald, who in
an address to congress, told Of the eX-
ccssive recommendations Of members
Of the cabinet. An issue of that kind,
between Wilson and Fitzgerald might
very easily start a movement for
Fitzgerald as a nominee of the dem
ocratic party in the place of Wilson.
If the campaign is to be on platform
Of economy, certainly the democrats
would find it easier 10 support Fitz-
gerald than Wilson.