Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-01-30
TAFT APPROVES VETO
OF Immigration BILL
Expresses Hope That Congress VIII
Not Pass Measure Over Presi-
dents Adverse Action.
ENDS HIS VISIT TO UNIVERSITY
In Final Lecture at Charlottesville,
Discusses Responsibilities of EN-
ccutive Power and Lack Of Danger
Under Present Limitations.
fspccial 10 mo Timcs-Dlspatch. ]


CHARLOTTESVILLE VA. January
2s.-When asked to-day for his opinion
OF President Wilson's veto OF the i'm
migration bill, former President Taft
declined to make any formal statement,
but expressed his delight at the Presi-
dents action II do not approve OF the
litcracy test he declared firmly. and
hope tina, Congress will not pass the
measure over Wilson'S ve.o.'
Despite a dreadful cold which he
brought here with him, Mr.. Tart has
kept on the go almost continuously.
Yesterday he paid visit to Month
cello" tho home Of Jefferson. and was
the luncheon guest OF Professor Raleigh
c. Minor. OF the law school. After his
lecture at night he attended a recep-
ton at the Colonnade club.
This morning Mr.. Taft spoke TO the
students or the law school in Minor
Hall, his subject being Legal Ethics"
This evening he WAS the dinner guest
of DR.. stephen II. Watts. OF the medical
faculty.
This is my first visi, 10 the Univer-
sity OF Virginia." he said to-day. "and T
am highly pleased. This is the most
unique college centre ! was ever in. II
Is redolent of the memory OF jefferson.
One can almost sec the statesman walk
Ing down the campus Jefferson has
left his mark here indelibly."
ENDS NOTABLE SERIES
OF LECTURES At UNIVERSITY
Former President Taft concluded to-
night one of the most noteworthy series
of lectures on the Barbour-Pagc Foun-
dalton ever given At the University Of
Virginia. After discussing the linita-
tons of the executive power. so far as
1t is possible 10 limit such a power con-
sistent with that discretion and prompt
ness or action that are essential to pre-
serve the interests OF the public in
time Of emergency, or legislative neg
lcct or inactiOn, hc said:
There Is little danger to the puh,ic
veal from the tyranny of reckless and
dcspotic character OF President who
is not sustained by the people. The
absence OF popular support will Ger
tainly In two years withdraw from him
Inc sympathetic action of at least one
house Of Congress, and by the control
that that house has over appropria-
tons. the executive arm can be para
lyzcd.
THE only danger In tho action OF tho
executive under the present limitations
and lack OF limitations on his powers
Is when his popularity is such that he
can be sure Of the support of the
electorate. and, therefore, of Congress.
and when the majority of the lcgis-
latiVe halls respond with clacrity and
aycophancy to HIS will. This condi-
tion can probably never be long CON
tinucd. We have had Presidents who
felt the public pulse with accuracy.
who played their parts upon the politi-
cal stage with histronic genius, and
commanded the people almost as IL
they were an army, and the Presi-
dent their Communicating chief. Yet I'm
all these cases the good sense OF tho
people has ultimately prevailed, and
no danger has been done to our po-
litlcal structure. and the reign Of law
has continued. In such times when
the executive power seems to be all
prevailing. there have always been men
in this free and intelligent people OF
ours who, apparently counting politi-
cal humiliation and disaster, have reg
istercd protest against this undue cx-
ecutive domination and this use Of tho
executive power and popular support
to perpetuatc itself.
"The cry of executive domination is
often entirely unjustinod. as when tho