Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-06-14
"Retire Republicans Who Support
on"-Hickersham.

President Wilson's remark that politics
is adjourned" in his recent address to Con-
eress on the revenue situation, did not find
a response among Republican leaders.
judging by the interview given the follow
ing day by Senator Penrose. Of Pennsyl-
vania. to the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
In discussing a conference he and Chair
man Hays. Of the Republican National
Committee. were to have with Pennsylva-
MIA Republican chieftains. the boss Of the
Keystone State said:
The judgment Of Republican leaders
generally is that the party should wage a
vigorous campaign for the election Of a
majority Of the House in the next Con-
gress. 1t is felt that Congress- should as
sumo its full share Of the responsibility in
the direction Of the work Of the war OF
course. there viii be no disposition to ham
per or embarrass the President in any way,
but with the Republicans in the majority
of the House q searching investigation Of
every bureau that needs investigation
would be assured"
Just what Senator Penrose means may
be gathered by reading the following COM
ment in the New York World on IN edito-
rial in the New York Tribune:
we had never realized what the great
advantages to the country would be in a
Congress with 100 Republican majority, as
Senator Penrose desires. until the Tribune
explained the great work that such a
Congress could do:
Congress could, by single vote. prac-
tically take from the President any power
whatsoever as to the preparation and Or
ganization for the war. 1t could abolish
Secretary Baker. II could create a War
Board, with practically absolute authority.
at could take the whole conduct Of the
war into its own hands.
"'0r delegate 1t to the Supreme Court
or any other body it chose to designate or
authorize.
"'Conceivably. some time Congress may
be compelled to exercise the constitutional
authority which it possesses. 1t cannot
now.
"'For this full two-thirds majority in
both houses would be necessary in order
to pass any such measures over the Presi-
dents veto and II it were necessary, to
impeach any judge or any other official
who attempted to question this clear con-
stitutional right.
Under present conditions this two
thirds majority is lacking. and so long as
the Democratic party retains its present
holdings In the two houses this situation
will remain
This Congress cannot strip the Presi-
dent OF all his war powers, abolish the
Cabinet. impeach the Supreme Court for
declaring such an act invalid or impeach
the President for refusing to permit the
destruction Of the United States govern
ment. because the Democrats are in con-
troll. Under present conditions the neces-
sary anti-Wilson majority is lacking, and
so long as the Democratic party retains
its present holdings in the two houses this
situation will remain. But 1t may be diff
ferent next year.
is the Tribune speaking for the leaders
OF the Republican party when il insists
that the way to win the war is to wreck
the Constitution and the Government of
the United States' Is this to be the Re-
publican program in the campaign 1918 T.
Further explanation Of the purpose of
Republican machine leaders In the event
Of the overthrow Of the present control Of
Congress is found in the surprisingly frank
speech of George w. Wickersham, former
United States Attorney General, recently
at Republican banquet at Lancaster. Pa.
Speaking to young Republicans Of Penn
sylvania. Mr.. Wickersham, according to the
Lancaster Intellieencer. threw aside re-
straint and launched into a bitter attack
on the administration. He charged the
President with building up great political
machine and with making the war "as far
as possible Democratic matter"
He urged the Republicans" said the
lntelligencer." to elect members of their
party to Congress, but be sure to select the
very best men, that those who so kindly
acquiesced in every thing proposed by the
administration without proper criticism
should be retired. He claimed that any
attempt to change our social customs be-
cause OF the war would be unfortunate and
that healthy public criticism and even re-
lentless criticism was more necessary in
time OF war than in time of peace and
that the Republican party will be false to
her high mission il she fails to devote all
Of her energies to the preservation Of our
Constitutional liberties against supervision
under the guise Of war necessities"
Commenting editorially on the Wicker
sham attack, the Lancaster Intellieencer
said:
What does 1t meant II means that the
Republican National organization when
it says that its candidates will stand by
the President, II elected. is STOPPING to
political camouflaee Of the meanest sort.
And such a leading spokesman as Mr..
Wickersham does great service in telling
the truth and clarifying the issue so that
the voters will know how to act at the
next election. His speech will make the
issue. . There can be no divided
responsibility now. The danger is too great.
The Hun is at our door"
\ eJC advertisements.