The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-12-11
THURSDAY, DECEMBER II, 1919
PRESIDENT AND SENATE.

| am glad to reply with the utmost
frankness that | should be gravely con
cerned to see any such resolution pass
the congress. 1t would constitute re
versal of our constitutional practice,
which might lead to very grave con-
fusion in regard TO the guidance OF
our foreign affairs. | am confident that
I am supported by every competent
constitutional authority in the state
ment that the initiative in directing the
relations of our government with for
eign governments Is assigned by the
constitution to the executive and to
the Executive only Only one of the
two houses of congress IS associated
with the President by the constitution
in IN advisory capacity, and the adj
vice of the senate IS provided for on
" when sought by the executive in re-
gard To explicit agreements with for
eiun governments and the appointment
of the diplomatic representatives who
are to speak for the government at
foreign capitals. The only safe course,
| am confident, is to adhere to the
prescribed method of the constitution.
we might 90 very far afeld if we de
parted from it.-president Woodrow
Wilson to senate committee on foreign
relations regarding the Fall resolution
asking that the President sever dirlo-
matte relations with Mexico, submitted
Dee S, 1919.
In the early periods of the govern
ment the opinion and advice OF the
| senate were often taken in advance
upon importont questions of our for
| eign policy. General Washington re,
/ peatedly consulted the senate and asked
/ their previous advice upon pending ne.
/ gotiatons with foreign powers, and the
Il senate in every instance responded t
his call by giving their advice, TO whici
he always eonformed his action Thu
practice though rarely resorted to il
later times, was in my judgment emf
nentlv wise, and may on occasions o.
great Importance be properly revived
/ The senate are branch of the treat,
making power, and by consulting then
in advance of his own action upon i'm
portant measures of foreign polio
which may ultimately come before then
for their consideration the Presiden
secures harmony of action betweel
that body and himself. The senat
are, moreover, branch of the wa
making power, and it may be eminentl
proper for the executive to take tn
opinion and advice of that body in ad
4 vance upon any great question whlc
may involve in its decision the issu
of peace or war. On the present ocea
sion the magnitude of the subjec
would induce me under any circun
stances to desire the previous advic
4 of the senate, and that desire is in
II creased by the recent debates and pre
i eeedings III congress, which render i
4 in my Judgment, not only respectful t
/ the senate but necessary and prope
Il if not indispensable to insure harmon
II Gus action between that body and til
II executive. In comforting on the exec
/ utive the authority TO give the motto
II for the abrogation of the conventio
of 1927 the senate acted publicly $
II large part that decision on the pro
II posal now made by the British govern
ment, without a definite knowledge G
II the views of that body in reference [
II it, might render the questions still MOI
Il complicated and difficult of adiustmen
Il FOR these reasons | invite the consider
II alton of the senate to the proposal c
Il the British government for the settk
Il ment of the Oregon question, and as
Il their advice on the subieet.-Pres
II dent James X. Polk, to the senate o
II submitting copy of treaty on the Or,
! gon boundary dispute. June IL, 1916.
Which President acted the more wis,
4 " in dealing with the senate2