The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-02-08

public"
Senator Albert B. Cummins (Rep.)
Of Iowa expressed the halfway view
when he said in the senate January
%: II think President Wilson is the
most intensely practical statesman Of
this or any other day. He began his
administration in the belief that the
executive office had not the power that
1t ought to have He has accomplished
more in the direction in which he set
his face and his mind than any other
man. either in this generation or in
any former generation; and the only
criticism, If it be a criticism, is that
he has not marched in the right direc-
ton and has done things that he ought
not to have done"
In the process Of wrestling from con-
gress all the powers he believed the
Constitution conferred upon the execu-
tive, President Wilson made many po-
litical enemies who questioned not his
ability, but his motives and methods.
To particularize would be largely to
review the political history Of the last
six years. The railroad situation, how
ever, may be cited as an example.
Representative e. r. Denison (Rep.)
Of Illinois said January is, 1919,
Government ownership Of railroads
will be the dominant political is
sue In the next national campaign and
Mr.. McAdoo will Of course expect to
be the candidate Of his party. He will
hope to capitalize what has been done
for the railroad men,"
President Wilson was. reelected in
1915 upon peace platform. October
IS, 1918, just before the congressional
elections, he issued an appeal to the
voters Of the United States asking
them, if they had approved Of his
leadership and wished him to continue
to be their unembarrassed spokesman
in affairs at home and abroad, to ex-
press themselves Enthusiastically to that
effect by returning Democratic ma
jority to both houses. The result of
the elections was to change the pO-
litical complexion Of both houses as
follows: 65th congress-Senate, 81
Democrats and As Republicans; house,
215 Republicans and 213 Democrats.
Goth congress Senate, Al Democrats
and 40 Republicans; house, 239 Re
publicans and 1913 Democrats.
President Wilson in attending the
peace conference made several new
departures. He left the country during
office. He took the Office with him,
signing acts and making appointments
while in Paris. He ignored the senate,
though he is empowered by the Con-
stitution to make treaties "by and with
the advice and consent Of the senate"
He appointed as the American repre-
sentatives himself. Secretary Of State
Robert Lansing. Henry White, Edward
NJ. House and General Tasker H. Bliss.
He sailed December 4. 1918. and ar
rived at Paris December IA. The
French capital was en- fete for the oc-
casion. December "a he went to
England and thence to Italy. He
returned to Paris January s, after a
journey that resembled "triumphal
procession"
After the preliminary sessions Of the
peace conference President Wilson re-
turned to the United States in Febru-
airy. returning to Paris March Is, 1919.
he signed the peace treaty June Is,
1919, and returned to the United States
July 5. His second term as president
expired March 8, 1920.
After his retirement from the presi-
dency Mr.. Wilson lived quietly, making
a partly successful fight to regain his
health. He occasionally went to the
theater and rode much in his car about |
the environs OF Washington. He bought a
home In Washington and in 1921
formed law partnership with Balm
bridge Colby, who had been his secre-
tary Of state, succeeding Robert Ian
sing. he took part In the funeral pro-
cessisn Of President Harding In Wash |