Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1917-01-05
cAUSTIc ARRANGEMENT
OF WILSON ADMINISTRATION
Senator Works Scents "Decadence in
American Society and Government"

Washington, Jan. with an ar
raignment of President Wilson's ad-
ministration and of what he called
decadence in American society and
government, Senator Works, of Cali
fornia, who retires March 4, began a
valedictory speech today in the SEN
ate. He deplored a tendency" to-
ward centralized, unchecked and un-
limited power on the part of the pres
ident, denounced prohigacy of wealth,
recommended that the idle rich be
compelled by law to work and urged
formation of a new progressive politi-
cal party known as the Liberty Par
ty"
Recess for the night interrupted the
speech after two hours and the sena-
tor will conclude tomorrow.
Senator Works declared usurpation
of the power by the president had
amounted practically to a dictator
ship" Referring to executive pres
sure on legislation. he said:
'f this kind Of executive coercion
congress, then our government is no
longer a government of the people. It
is not a democracy. 1t is not a re-
public. It is a despotism worse than
any known monarchy"
Reviewed Administration in Detail
He reviewed the Wilson administra-
ton in great detail. In urging repeal
of the Panama free tolls clause. he
said the president had descended to
the level of a common lobbyist" and
the submission of congress he de-
scribed as "a hunliliating spectacle"
Efforts to force the shipping bill, he
said, were shameful, adding that the
reserve act was passed by "preSiden-
the child labor bill by 'humiEating
lobbying for political reasons. the
president being a political candidate
Adamson Act CIassed as Depiorabie.
The presidents insistence upon the
passage of the Adamson act, Senator
Works declared, was deplorable,''
while the recent confirmation of a su-
preTne court justice furnished a
shocking exanaGle of unwarranted in
fiuence."
Denounced Mexican Policy.
1.-THE course of the president in
Mexico" he continued, has been one
of arrogant and arbitrary, if not I'M
lawful, exercise OF power. Twice has
the president appointed commission
ers, without lawful authority to ne
gotiate with commissioners appointed
by Carranza to settle our returns with
Mexico"
presidents appointment of personal
Representatives in Mexico and said the
United States had twice gone to war
with Mexico without the sanction of
congress.
Advocating single presidential
term, Senator Works said the idea of
a president being the leader of a po-
litical party was obnoxious and at
tackled President Wilson for alleged
Republication of the single term plank
of the Baltimore platform. He said
the present patronage system was
degrading, deplorable and danger
0us"
Pork BarreII Legislation Scored.
Lavish use of campaign funds and
pork barrel Iegisla tom also were
scored by the California senator. who
save in detail appropriation records
of tho democratic administration. He
said there had been an increase of
railitaristic spirit because the public
mind had been shrewdly perverted.
largely by those having selfish inter
eStS-
New Alignment of Political Parties
new alignment of political parties
suggested by Senator Works to meet
these evils would contemplate a union
of progressives of all kinds under the
name of the Liberty Party" The pro-
gressive party, he said had been de-
serted by its leaders in its nour Of
need, the republican party had be-
come hopelessly disorganized and the
democratic party was as hopelessiy
divided between reactionaries and pro-
gressives-