Evening star., 1922-09-24
BY EDWARD NELSON D1NGLEY.

tive authority and power in the
federal government.. There has been
a marked tendency toward central
ization Of national activity. resulting In
an implied or actual increase in the
powers Of the executive. The advis-
ability Of such a tendency is another
| matter.
] Originally, as is well known, the
President was made commander-in-
chief Of the Army and Navy. and OF
the militia when called into active serv-
ice of the United States. He was given
authority to grant reprieres and par
dons for offenses against the United
States except in cases Of Impeachment;
to make treaties with the consent Of
the Senate; to appoint ambassadors,
other public ministers and consuls, and
all other officers Of the United States
whose appointments are not (and may
not in the future be) otherwise pro-
J vided for. Congress has the discretion
| ary- authority Of placing the appoint
ment Of other officers in the hands Of
the President.
Other Presidential Dutfes.
| The President communicates informa-
ton to Congress. and makes recon-
mendations to Congress in regard to
legislation; may convene Congress in
extraordinary session, and receive am
bassadors and others. The President
may veto or disapprove bill passed by
| CONGRESS. Twp-thirds OF the members
| OF both houses may override the veto.
Il l~;f - R~l
mistakably has been toward extension
OF these executive powers, and to
marked degree. There must be cause.
/ A reading of the Federalist. which
embodies the thought and wisdom and
purpose OF the fathers. discloses the
fact that In those days, there was a
sSs of
department Is everywhere extending the
| sphere OF its activity, and drawing all
power into its impetuous vortex" says
the Federalist. To check this, the veto
ito enable him to defend himself" and
ito increase the chances in favor Of
the community against the passing of
bad laws. through haste. inadvertence
or danger" The Federalist writer says
the legislative body. affords satisfac-
! tory security, So that the negative
would generally be employed with eau
The fathers required the cooperation
Of the Senate to CHECK a spirit Of fav-
oritism." to prevent unfair appoint
ments" and ito stabilize the admins
Source Of Many Disputes.
The treaty-making power. the veto
power and the appointment power
have been sources Of many disputes
/ betweap executive and Congress-
Alexander Hamilton and his followers
idoubtless, had in mind a Senate hav-
ing a participation in federal patron
age and treaties equal with that of
the executive. They never dreamed
OF the office of executive such as has
developed out of the necessities OF
modern situations.
| Since the legislative branch Of the
government and it's powers were men
toned first in the Constitution. it is
obvious that that branch was up
permost in the minds Of its trainers.
The executive branch was designed
to be a sort Of executive ofacer of
Congress. with certain well defined
and limited powers.
Generally speaking. the Office OF
CHIEF executive took on a wholly
different character. The personal
side Of the office and the power of
comforting emoluments. tended to
change its character. There WAS no
definite understanding OF the nature
Of his duties and he was left to con-
strue them for himself.
The Senate was weak: the execu-
tives advisers strong and independ-
ent. As some one has said: THE
people recognized the Office as their
own. and put their hero in 1t and
| rox-a q THAR conddence and Sunnort
i People Demanded Leaders.
1t. is easy to explain this tendency
toward increased executive authority
between the foundation of the gov
ernment and the civil war. As the
! nation grew in years it was seen that
the Federalist did not go far enough
when It said that energy in the
executive is the leading character
in the definition of good government.
The ingredients are: Unity. duration
! support, competent powers, depend
ence on the people and q due re.
leaders and the period Of the civil war
demonstrated that necessity.
Presidents who contributed most
to the growth ard advance OF the re-
public for the frst thirty years were
those who disregarded the marrow
construction Of their authority and
boldly assumed the position Of leader.
The people love vigorous personality
and strong individuality. This ex-
. plains the strong current toward
larger executive powers.
Between Jackson and Lincoln was
period Of presidential decline. Con-
J Rress reasserted its power; the Sen
ate triumphed and led because It had
a Clay, a Calhoun and q webster.
i'The civil war again elevated the OF,
Ace of chief executive 10 the ieVe!
Of conspicuous and exalted leader
ship.
woodrow Wilson'S Views.
, woodrow Wilson wrote in 1908:
Government is. not body Of blind
| forces. II is a body of men with
hirhly differentiated function-with q
common task and purpose. Iheii
> cooperation Is Indispensable. tneii
warfare fatal There can be no sue
cessful goysrnment ,,t.o,s witnout !e simest
Instructive, coordination OF the or
eans Of life and action.
Three wars have helped to increase
, the powers Of the executive: ana 70
elevate him to position OF .isaoer
AS a leader of the nation. gradually
the executive has been clothed with
, new and larger powers. AS MI; VII
, son SAYS: 'The President is at liberty
both in law and conscience, to be q
vii, vii : set A the - limit. II Congress be
overborne by him. 1t will be only be
cause the President has the nation
. behind him, and Congress has not
He has no means OF compelling Con.
Rress, except through public opinion
The world war saw executive au-
thority at its highest level. It has
been said that during that period. the
executive possessed more power ano
| lauthorify than any ruler on earth