The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-31
OESPOT|C EXECUTIVE
NOT TO Be FEARED
GnEss, by CONTROLLING PURSE
STRINGS, HAS FINAL WORD.
AN UNJUSTlFIED CRY
INFLUENCE OF PREsI-
DENT WHEN DRAWN FROM
PROPER PARTY LEADERSHIP
IS NOT UNDESIRABLE

Especial to The Richmond virginian.)
Charlottesville, Va. Jan. S0.-Former
President William ii. Taft was greeted
by another large audience In Cabe1l
Hall, at the University of Virginia,
last night. At the copclusion of his
lectur the last OF the series on the
general subject, The Presidency: Its
and Its Limitations" the distinguished
speaker was given a rousing yell by the
student body. He said In part:
There Ia little danger to the public
veal from the tyranny of reckless and
despotic character of a President who
is not sustained by the people. The
absence of popular support Will GER
tainly In two years withdraw from him
sympathetic action of at least one house
of Congress. and by the control that
! that house has over appropriations.
the executive arm can be paralyzed.
The only danger In the action of the
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 In the legislative
halls respond with alactrity and syco-
phancy to his Will This condition
can probably never be long continued.
We have had Presidents who felt the
public pulse with accuracy. who played
their parts upon the political stage
with histrionie genius and commanded
the people almost as IL they were an
army and the President their oom-
mander In chief Yet In all these
cases the good sense Of the people
has ultimately prevailed and no dan
ger has been done to our political struc-
ture and the reign Of law has contin-
ued. In such times when the execu-
tive power seems to be all prevail
ing. there have always been men In
this free and Intelligent people of ours
who apparently counting political hit
initiation and disaster. have registered
protest. against this undue executive
domination and this use of the execu-
tive power and popular support to
perpetuate Itself.
An Unjustined Cry.
The cry of executive domination Is
often entirely unjustiffed, as when the
Presidents commanding influence only
grows out OF n proper cohesion OF 4
party and its recognition of the neces-
sity for political leadership. but the
fact that executive domination lis re-
garded as a useful ground for attack
upon n successful administration. when
there is no rael ground for II, Is itself
PROOF OF the dependence we may pro-
perceptions OF the people In avoidin &
it's bansful effects when there 10 real
danger.
The Constitution does give tho
President wide discretion and great
power, aud IL ought to do so. It calls
from him activity and energy to zee
that within his proper sphere he does
what his great responsibilities and op-
portunttles require. He is no figure
head. and II is entirely proper that
sighted people, who when they have
an energetic. and active and clear
work to do wish 1t done well, should
be willing TO rely upon their judgement
in selecting their chief agent. and hav-
Ing selected him. should entrust TO
him all the power needed to carry out
their governmental purpose. great as
IT may be"