Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-06-17


of the two incidents The British system of government has
been held to be democratic than our own republic
opinion than our American executive system We now
have favorable opportunity to compare the two at COM
Under the British system as we'll those of various
other European countries the premier or prime minister
branch of government well as leadership in Legislation
Our executive and cabinet corresponding to the British MN
distinct from the Legislative branch 1t is impossible there
fore to make the parallel between the two absolute al
States to impose administrative measures Congress is
fast wipng OUT this distinction in actual practice
When the premier in England France and various oter
countries presents measure Parliament and it is de-
feaed the rule that the ministry of which he is the head
Parliament are opposed policies of the government
The ministry having run counter to the popular will must
net who in touch with public sentiment The king
of England the president of France under these crcum
stances invites some leader of the opposition rule to form
a cabinet government or ministry.
Under form of government there is constitution
al means of recalling government which running cou
public sentiment the will of the people The Presi
dent elected for four and he can out that term
unless he goes to subject himself to impeachment
Here too as in the dictaon of legislation by the ex-
ecutive the difference between our government and the
British ministry is gradually being minmzed though less
conscuousy than in the encroachmen of the executive on
sttuton merely the official advisers Of the President
With the growth of governments vast interests and
the multiplication Of departments there has been growing
tendency hold each cabinet officer responsible for his par
ticuar department. although the people hold the executive
When any cabinet officer counter to public opinion
it possible for the President to make him scegoat by
asking for his resignation and adopt contrary policy thus
pacang public opinion which holds the executive account
able whereas in England the entire ministry would resign
following actual defeat of government policy We thus
gradual approximation OF the two systems
Advancing from the general statement to the particu-
lar illustration, further light on the two sys-
TENS of government by considering the resignation OF Mr.
Bryan and the recent cabinet crisis in England
Whatever may have been the or combination OF
leading Byans retirement from the Wilson cab
met it significantly has followed the adoption of more ag-
Inv
We told that Bryan really responsible for our
governments policy of wachful waiting which did not
prove acceptable the majority of the American people
Be this may the Mexican leaders have been warned by
President Wilson that they must get together or this gov
We have been told by Mr. Bryan that he resigned be-
the latest note to Germany ne was asked to sign pot
still insists upon the abandonment OF submarine warfare
against British ships which the Germans say they can not
premacy of the British and their own loss The Will
Bryan with few slight notifications of its language, thus
throwing the burden of blame involved in the resignation
State foreign department.
When all is said and done, however, we realize Bryan
dropped of the Wilson cabinet because he out of tune
with American policies demanded from the administration
If Bryan had been possessed of the full sympathy OF the
have dared to crowd him this special unctu Thus
in effect American opinion led to the resignation OF cao-
officer though not through the channels that would nave
been followed in England the retirement of the entire
This leads US to consideration of the fundamental
difference between and one which makes
the President Of the United States the most potent ruler IN
the world In England public opinion shapes the govern
In the United States the executive shapes pubic
opinion There exceptions to both of these statements
but they simply prove the rule. m
Our organic law constitution clothes Congress Win
the power to declare To-day are saying that
whether the words of Mr.. Wilson to Germany mean war or
peace support him. If war ensues, Mr. Wilson IN
and Congress will be responsible even though ne
might go through the form Of calling Congress in extra
session formerly declare on Germany. The Presl-
dent led the country to the point where war
by whomsoever declared, was certainty.
In he British
not defeated any in Parliament but the con-
of led to the revision of the ministry Just
as they have forced Bryan of the Wilson cabinet Pub
lie opinion acted directly the cabinet of Mr. Asquth the
British prime minister and made it for the
resentaton of different political parties in coalition cab
net as though American public opinion should force Mr.
Taft or Mr. Root into the Wilson cabinet
Through the powerful spirit of patriotism prevalent If
this nation President Wilson is able in this crisis to adopt
practically any of peace or Of war; and while We
inwardy protest, yet American must hole
up his hands Mr. Taft has said this and Mr. Roose
welt is saying the same thing.
l Mr. Wilson's friends tell us that he retired into hi
wreste with the problem of relations with Ger
many this crisis and he communed with until HI
had determined on the policy he is carrying out will