Evening journal., 1918-10-22
matter. but which now appear at various places
I'm tbe sfatutes

in the statutes.
II one Will study the list OF problems enumerated in
these two bills. he VIII discover that the chief difference
is that the Republican bin states definitely what It's pro-
poses to do. while the Democratic (overman) bin gen.
eralzes But the fundamental difference is that the DEM
ocratic bills calls for commission appointed by the
President while the Republican resolution would prop
ery place in the hands OF Congress the reconstruction
program.
II is well to consider very CAREFUL what this means
1t that II the Democratic bill goes through giving
the majority OF Democrats their way. five chosen by
the President, and responsible solely to him. Will have
complete charge Of the preliminary work Of renonstruc-
tlon and the preliminary work may well be the most
important and the most far reaching work OF ALL for
whatever schedule is laid down in the beginning concern
ing any Of these probems would have an extraordinary
influence In shaping the immediate future OF this nation
for god or bad.
The Capitalization Of power in the executive during
the is natural and needfu temporary expedient of
democracy. But lest in fight to establish democ-
racy abroad we lose II at home should fail to
set his face like flint against any 30 make such
Capitalization permanent TO reduce representative
government which is the foundation Of our democracy 10
being curo Of American history to make Congress
a debating society like the old Duma Of Russia was and
like the Rechstag OF Germany No matter how wisely
this centralized power might be exercised by man.
would have lost our constitutional guarantees of
liberty freedom and true democracy perhaps for all time
Furthermore, IL the Democratic bill Is passed partisan
control land perhaps this partisan control would repre-
sent only fraction within the Democratic party could
easily such complete grasp Of the prospective
legislation covering the many phases OF the Reconsruc
ton problem that Congress. to time, might be
PEELED to adopt the entire program practically without
consideration.
But If the Republican measure las Senator Poindexter
forcefully points OUT should be adopted very differ
ent situation would exist Congress itself directly would
oil
would be empowered TO make its own investigation,
control its appoinees. its information,
to verify instantly all the facts presented for its consd
Grafton and to promptly recommend and forthwith to
enact such legislation might be deemed wise, follow
ing these preminarie In short this would insure the
proper control by Congress Of the legislative functions
granted by the constitution. 1t would sgnalize the
first achievement in the great Reconstruction problem by
beginning with the Reconstruction Of Congress itself in
bringing those functions which have been freely
granted war necessities to the Chief Executive.
II has been contended by anyone that the Chief
Executive should encompass the legislative powers OF the
Government within his own proper executive one ex-
ceptng so far as the imperative necessity OF time
measure should demand it, Yet the Democratic Bill seeks
to perpetuate this condition which has been accepted
one merely temporary The fact that this construction
must placed upon its meaning further emphasizes It's
ndirecton both in intention and-in effect Its true
meaning is this: wishes indirectly to take from Con-
gress the solving Of the Reconstruction problem; seeks
Indirectly to extend indefinitely the Presidential war
powers Indirectly seeks to add complication, delay and
ndecison to a problem in which the chief element to
overcome is that of time itself.
In this it is typical Democratic measure; Democratic
in its indlrection 1t is Democratic in its generalization;
Democratic its diverse opportunity for fatuous delay
as t is Democratic in It's speclous plea to the nations
loyalty for war time power without any adequate assur
ance that there is no eventual ulterior object.
on the other hand. studying the Republican resolu-