The state herald., 1920-12-21
CONGRESS TO COME
INTO ITS OWN

INTO ITS OWN
Mr.. Harding's speech to the United
States senate on December 6 was
an assurance to Congress and to the
people that the election to the Presi.
dency of one who had served in the
national legislature was wise pro.
tceding. declares the republican pu;,.
licity association, through its presi-
dent, Hon. Jonathan Bourne. Jr. The
keynote of the President-designate's
short address is to be found in his
declaration:
when my responsibilities begin in
the executive capacity shall be
mindful of the senate's responsible
ties as I am Jealous of them as a
member. but mean at the same time
to be just as insistent about the re-
spOnsibilities of the executive. Our
governmental good fortune does not
lie In any surrender at either end of
the avenue, but In the coordination
ohu SooPcidtiou Wuicu ucSohcs tue
two in great and truly representa-
tive popular government"
No intimation Of senate oligar.
chy' is to be found in such clear
cut statement. while, on the other
hand the address breathes the deter.
mination to do away with the dicta-
torship under which this country for
eight years has been laboring. II
like the freedom, the association, the
patriotic sense of responsibility which
abides here" asserted the speaker.
Il am conscious OF the great place
which Congress holds under our con.
stitution. and particularly sensible to
the obligations Of the senate" and he
followed this with the expression of
the wish of colleague for the con-
fidence and cooperation Of the mem.
bers of this body In the four Year,
which begin next March 4th."
Something Of similar attitude OF
mind was indicated by the democrat.
ic party when In its platform OF 1912
on which the present chief executive
was elected, It was declared:
We believe In the preservation
and maintenance in their full
strength and integrity OF the three
coordinate branches OF the federal
government-the executive. the leg
islative and the judicial-each keep
ing within its own bounds and not
encroaehing upon the Just powers uf
either OF the others
But within a very short time after
his inauguration. Mr.. Wilson had re.
dnced the democratic Congress to
such pitiful subsurvience that 1t
has been rightfully named rub.
ber stamp" Congress, and whatever
his majority might say OF him In the
cloak rooms. they juinoed at the crack
OF his lash. The consequences of his
despotism were visited on the ma.
uon. Ours became one.man GOV
ernment. There was little congress.
ionni cooperation with the executive.
but much sullen assent to his com.
mands. a great deal OF shifting of
responsibility to his shoulders, which
meant laws miserably framed or nc,
cepted as worded by an admlnistra.
ton whose acquaintance with the na.
tons needs was derived from books
or lacking altogether. Hence the
legislative mess In which tho country
finds Itself today
Nor did Mr.. Harding neglect tho
opposition: u am sure that the ne
ce5sity Of wise solution viii inspire
us to work together. to take common
council. To b. tolerant on one anoth
or and give the best which ls In ali
OF us too attain the ends which be
come our republic at home and will
maintain Its Gieh place among tic
nations OF the earth" Admitting III 4,
there could not always be agree oinent
he hoped TO ind common ground IN
the spirit OF service, or, M Tcnny
son puts II: But for some true re
suit OF good. all parties work to
gqthcr."
The Prcsident.designatcs remarks
were an earnest Of better understand.
ings between the. two branches OF
government II In safe TO predict
that Mr. Hnrdng's administration
win Ro far toward vlndicntlng the DO
lief that men trained In tho national
legislature are hest equipped for the
responsibilities of chief executive.