The Coconino sun., 1924-06-06
CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT

We have had occasion frequently within the
last few months to contrast the president with
the congress to the disadvantage of the latter
his greater strength than that of either party IN
congress or both parties combined the popular
confidence in him that no party or faction in con-
gress enjoys.
He is sharply differentiated from congress at
the present time by his sense of responsibility,
honesty intelligence and courage. He has been
called shrewd politician and perhaps he is one,
but in the best and broadest sense. His kind of
politics is the kind which associate with states
manship.
Congress, on the other hand, has exhibited
traits exactly contrary to those of the president
1t has played unrighteous, despicable politics. 1t
has shown itself subservient to group and local
pressure, short-sighted and cowardly. This state
ment goes for almost every faction in congress at
one time another in the course of the present
session, beginning last November.
The reputation of congress has never been lower
with the American people that it is today. Sen
ate and house have become the synonym of time
serving timidty and ruthless sacrifice of business
and industry in an hour when they are sorely buff
feted by adverse economic conditions and are cry
ing out for help rather than Encouragement.
The reason is twofold. In the first place. the
president represents the whole people, while most
of our congressman feel themselves rsponsible to
their own states and districts and second, to the
nation. There may be disclaimers of this, but it
is true OF the ordinary congressman and most of
the congressman of the Sixty-eighth are ordinary
very ordinary.
The president moreover, constitutes, Sin his
own name and by his own proper authority" to
use Mr.. Wilson's phrase when he signed the Yer
sales treaty, the executive branch of the govern
ment. He is as important in our scheme of de-
mocracy as the more than five hundred members
of congress altogether. 1t is inevitable, therefore
that he should be weighted down by conviction
OF his own responsibility. On no else's shoulders
rests such burden.
Mr.. Coolidge is further differentiated from con.
gress by sheer character. His quality is far above
the congressional average. He stands out as one
OF the strongest of our chief magistrates. He has
his possession of personal force
The country recognizes in him the power of un-
rectitude. It believes that he will
not traffic with grafters or agitators but will
Ind firm for the right as he sees it, regardless
Of the political consequences to his party or to
himself.
Against this example of moral ruggedness, the |
reckless sacrifices of the peoples interests by
congress IN much of the legislation it has enacted
as we'll as IN what it has failed to enact stands |
1ut In startling contrast. We believe that never
before have the people been brought to make such
2 comparison and that they will give their ap-
1roval of the former and their diSapproval of the
after.
Our remarks are not directed at the democrats |
n congress alone; not alone at the republican rad
Gals, but at every member who in the titanic /
struggle which is now approaching its end has |
gwen an exhibition of tme-serving and cowaldice I
We think IN after years no man will be proud
% nave served IN the slXty-eighth congress of the
United States.-Arizona Republican.