The Washington herald., 1920-11-10
: Presidential Retirement.

sTTNHE suggestion that immediate effect be given
! to the popular verdict against the Wilson
administration has failed OF receiving much
serious attention. Perhaps this may be because it
: was credited first to- Mr.. Bryan That gcntleman
has suggested SO many radical reforms that the
public can scarcely be blamed, for not always tax
ing seriously the outgivings of his active political
mind But it may also be mentioned that no other
public of the last quarter century has seen SO
( many OF the innovations of which he was leading
advocate incorporated in the Constitution. The
+ income tax, woman suffrage and prohibition are
monuments to Mr.. Bryan's efficiency as an agita-
tor Doubtless all would have come without him.
but unquestionably he expedited their coming.
However. the suggestion that in view of de-
cisiye adverse popular verdict the administration
should retire without waiting for March did not
it appears, originate with Mr. Bryan nor was it
first considered in connection with the recent Presi-
dental campaign.
In the memoirs of Count Bernstorf, former
! German Ambassador to Washington, appears the
statement that President Wilson had in contempIa-
tion this very step in the event of his defeat by
Hughes in 1916. 1t is asserted that the President
then felt the international situation so pressing
that the immediate installation into power of the
party victorious in the November election would be
essential to national safety. The plan he then had
in view for the Democratic Secretary of State
to resign. President Wilson would then appoint to
that office the successful Republican candidate for
the Presidency. Then, upon the resignation of the
President and Vice President the Secretary of State
would become President by operation Of the Presi-
Dental succession act
That such stroke of self-efacing statecraft
would have been of enormous value to the nation
IN 1916 study of the progress of events leading
up to the war shows convincngly. For, while the
President was trumphantly reelected in November
on the slogan, "He kept out of war;" the year
had not ended before it became apparent that he
could keep us out no longer Indeed, the final
threat of German aggression-the notice of unre-
,str1cted submarine warfare-and the Presidents
appeal for authority to merchant ships
came at a time when, had the Republicans been
victorious in November, the destinies of the nation
would have been in control of a repudiated and
outgoing administration. That President Wilson
then, in the moments of the prediction doubt
should have contemplated such a, course as is
urged upon him now seems probable in view of his
high consscration to- the welfare of the nation
But that his attitude then should be indicative
OF his purpose today is not so apparent So far as
immediate issues are concerned, there seems to be
nothing pending that demands more speedy settle
ment than can be attained through the ordinary
course OF waiting for Inauguration Day. The ques-
ton of just what form our participation in an asso-
ci@tion of nations should take has waited now more
than year, and can wait few months longer
Indeed, it is not improbable that President-elect
Harding would much prefer three months in private
station for the consideration of this problem TO
being Immediately inducted into office and having
its consideration interrupted by the clamor of the
faithful for Jobs
Not SO much because of its bearing upon the
issues of the moment because OF the precedent it
would set for the future, the suggestion of the
Presidents immediate retirement has interest
~ The rule, springing originally from the needs of
a country in which distances were great and the
stage coach the swiftest method of travel that four
months should elapse between the election of
President and Congress and their installation in
office has been continuing source of governmental
evils.
An outgoing Congress which is to be succeeded
by of different political complexion is ALWAYS
indifferent to, and sometimes fatty disregardfuI Of
public welfare. 1t has come to be known as a
"don't-give-a-damn" Congress-and the colloouia-
ism ftly represents its cynical attitude .
~ 1t both houses OF Congress and the President are
in accord, they are apt to devote the session 70
making all possible trouble for their successors. If
they are at loggerheads-as today-they will strive
to block any commendable acts of the administra-
ton in order that all opportunity may be kept for
the incoming party.
1t would have been better at all times in the last
sixty years, since transportation has become swift
and the fartherest corners of the land brought
within a weeks travel of the Capital if the newly
elected administration could take office not later
than the first OF January succeeding the election
So far as the Presidency is concerned this end
could be effected by the expedent first considered
by President Wilson in 1916 and now restated b,
Mr.. Bryan
Such action would begin the establishment of
precedent Would it make our government more
Immediately responsive to the viii of the peoples
Would it be desirable?