The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-09-07
Presidential Interference.

eral convection that President Wilson has been
more persistent in his dominating influence
and control over Congress and its legislative
program was emphasized ny the speech of
Senator Hardwick of Georgia in the Senate
Aug. Sth the Child Labor bill. Senator
Hardwick is one of the ablest men on the
Democratic side. After stating the fact that
but short time ago Mr.. Wilson had declared
that he believed the bill to be unconstitutional,
he had now come over to the capitol and told
certain senators and representative shat 1t
was necessary to pass the bill before the pres
ldential election, Senator Hardwick said he
did not know what had caused his change of
heart. All such changes seemed to be for po-
itical effect. He said further:
"Ah, Senators, l do not know what course
others may adopt, but as for me and mine we
will serve the Lord on this gu eston We are no.
going to surrender the rights of the State; We
not going to surrender the blessings of
local self Cover Iment; are not going to
surrender, SO far as can prevent it, the fun
damental principles of American liberty and
of American constitutional government, to ad-
vance any campaign or to do anything politi-
cal in any way whatever. If that be treason
make the most of it. The oath took and the
i
Georgia, and to her dead well as to her liv-
ing, compels me to stand steadfast for the
rights of the States, and for the constitution
that our fathers wrote"
Senator Hardwick thus voiced the general
sentiment of the American people. During
his speech several Democratic Senators inter-
rupted him and tried to explain the situation,
but he refused to be Modified, and vigorously
upheld right and principle and refused to yield
to political necessity.
All through his administration Mr.. Wilson
has given his edcts to Congress and has gen.
orally been obeyed. He gave it in regard to the
sugar schedule, although. no doubt, ajorty
of his party was against him. and before the
law entirely took effect Congress was obliged
to repeal it. He also demanded, against the
conviction of a majority of Congress, that
wool be put on the free list, and it was done.
The result is, that according to the report of
the Department of Commerce the amount
lost the Treasury revenue up to July l,
1916, by placing those two articles on the free
list, is over 100000. 600. Would not this look
remarkably good to the Democrats today if
they coul,a have it to help fill their depleted
Treasury? Another case of executive interfer-
ence was manifested in the case of the Ship
ping Bill in the last session OF Congress- That
bill was largely framed outside of Congress
and the full force of the administration was
put forth to insure its passage A good many
members of Congress were made to feel what
Wilson said in his speech at Indianapolis, when
he declared that anyone refusing to pull in
the party team work would have hard road
to travel But, thanks to the independence of
the Democratic Senators Bankhead, Clarke
and others the bill was defeated. But their
Democratic colleagues scored them most I'M
mercifully on the floor of the Senate for refus-
ing to be dictated TO-
In the case of the Reserve Banking bill,
which was entirely drafted outside of Con-
gress, the President demanded that Congress
remain IN session for several weeks after it
had decided to adjourn. A fundamental prin-
ciple of our Constitution is that the three
branches of our government be kept entirely
separate. That there shall be no interference
or undue influence as between one and the
other. And all such Interference has ever
been considered as an infringement or en-
croachment upon American liberty.
1t is well known that Mr.. Wilson has had no
legislative experience, and that his knowledge
of the Constitution is very limited, as was in
dicated few years ago by his assertion that
there was as good reason to levy duties be-
tween the States as there was to levy duties
between the United States and foreign coun-
tries. Now every school boy knows that the
Constitution forbids the levying of duties be-
tween the States. There is no doubt that at
least rs per cent of our Congressman are
more familiar with the Nations Constitution
and have more experience and better judg-
ment as to the country's needs in regard to
beneficial legislation than Mr. Wilson ever
had. And it Is considered to be very presumpt-
GUS on his part to attempt in any way to CO.
cree or dictate to them.
One of the principal reasons why the Ameri.
can Colonies separated from Great Britain was
because of the oppressive interference of the
king in our domestic affairs. And / did not
think that the Congress would ever submit to
the same treatment as that which caused our
forefathers to rebel against the mother coun-
try. There is marked contrast between the
spirit of this Congress and that of the English
Parliament in 1888. In that year, Parliament
having under consideration bill in relation to
the government of India, King George III re-
quested Lord Temple to inform certain lead
ers of Parliament that a vote in favor of the
bill would be resented by the king. In other
words, the offender would lose favor and pat
ronage. just as been indicated in this Con-
gress. Four days after the word came to the
ears of the Commons, the following resolution
was passed: