The Covington leader. (Covington, Tenn.) 18??-current, 1920-08-26

senate oligarchy" was made at Orr
vile, Ohio recently by Gov. Cox in
an address replying to that delivered
recently by Senator Harding, his Re-
publican opponent, in which Mr. Hard
ing commended the senate as a forum
of popular government.
"The Republican candidate" said
Gov. Cox, "has devoted front porch
session to the defense Of the United
States Senate which, with character
istic reactionary isolation from the
current Of public thought, he fails to
distinguish between the United States
Senate as an institution. and the list
of United States senators who have
taken charge of an important part
of the government.
lit is our contention that a group
Of men have formed a domineering
arrogant, oligarchy in the Senate
and that theu have deliberately in
terferred with the welfare Of the
world, delayed REIMBURSEMENT in this
country, all to the distinct injury and
disadvantage Of the people.
The feeling against the Senate,
Gov Cox declared, grows specif-
ically out Of the abuses by the dig
archy. Prompted by its success in
obstructive tactics, it has moved into
an entirely new undertaking and it
seeks now to annex the presidency"
Continuing his attack upon Repub-
lican campaign contributions. Gov.
Cox also charged that Hthe greedy
interests which are making the con-
tributions have been in notorious
consort with the senatorial dig
arehy."
In his attack on the senate leaders,
Gov. Cox also again stressed the
necessity for the league Of nations.
reiterating. and expanding former
arguments in its support.
Senator Harding, in his address
defending the senate, Gov. Cox de-
clared, stripped his discussions of
The personal equation and elaborated
on the wisdom Of the fathers in Great
ing two parts Of the legislative
branch Of government, the Senate
and the House"
The people, Gov Cox predicted,
would "resent the attempt now being
made to turn the Senate and presi-
,dency into single unit" r.
IF presidential responsibility is to
be shared, it will be with the council
Tors Of the leaders," said Gov. Cox
fHe owes his nomination to them.
His gratitude is naturally to them.
There is scarcely day that some
member Of the group is not in con-
ference with him. The public prints P
announced not AZ hours ago that
part of the oligarchy had visited
Marion, and had discussed with the
presidential candidate the subject Of
matters which would be treated in
front porch speeches Of the next two
,or three weeks.
The relation between the president
and congress should be cordial and
cooperative, but independence should
be supreme.
"The man in the street looks with
great misgivings on the whole chain
Of circumstances that has developed
since the early hours of the morning
when the choice of the Republican
leaders was made in the Hotel, and
not in the convention hall at Chicago.
Not the last disquieting phase Of the
situation is the unblushing continu-
ance of the gathering together of
millions of dollars for campaign pur-
poses. This is not only offensive to
public sensibilities, but the people
know perfectly we'll that the greedy
interests which are making the con-
tributions have been in notorious
consort with the senatorial oligarchy
which is now attempting to gather
aInto itself the power of that law
making branch and the presidency as
we'll
Gov Cox emphasized the fact that
he was not criticising the constitu-
ton. but the group of men attempt
ing to distort ''the senate's functions.
The term "plural government" Gov.
Cox said. has become reactionary
slogan.
ut was never the intention Of the
men who wrote the constitution that
dominating group in the senate
should obstruct the treaty-making
agencies Of government on conscien-
t:ious pretex while moved by the hidden
purpose of promoting party advan-
tage,n he continued. 1T was never
intended that the senate should have
any control over the president except
to share with him by its power OF
confirmation, responsibility for Ell
ficient public service. This, OF
course. IS in addition to its authority
in the ratification Of treaties.
@The three branches Of government
were INTENDED to be separate and dis
tinct-certainly nothing could be
more clearly usbsersive Of that ar
rangement than the carefully thought
aout plan of having the leaders of the
senate dominate a political conven-
ton and make the choice of the
party for the presidency. The very
argument ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
argument which Senator Harding pre-
sents in support Of the senatorial indi-
vidualitv certainly holds with equal
Sgic to the preservation Of executive
individuality. Not only will the peo-
Ole at all times regard any departurt
from this principle as dangerous, but
they resent the attempt now being
made to turn the senate and presi-
dency into a SINCE unit Of govern
ment"
NOTICE