Putnam patriot., 1924-02-15

3 served to indicate once again to the people of the United States the asrength and the character of the man xbo holds the Presidential chair of [ inc United States through the death lof Warren C. Harding, but who is ! daily more sure of succeeding himself next November by the overwhelming choice of that great constituency which is daily and hourly gaining l faith in the strength and power of the character of Calvin Coolidge. On Monday in response to the de mand of the Senate that he dismiss ! Secretary Denby of the Navy for his connection with the oil lease scandals, I the President gave the Senate one of | the worst jolts that t has had in all l its history He calmly, simply and fatly told the Senate in Lincolnian words that he would ignore it's reso- ! lntion and would have the legislative ! body of the government keep it's hands off the executive department.
 snub 10 the Senate
 The Presidents historical state ment in the matter was as follows:
 No 0ffici8l recognition can be given t8 the passage of the Senate res0lu- ton relative to their opinion concern ing members of the Cabinet or other officers under executive control.
 "A E soon as special counsel can ad vise me as to the legality of these leas- es and assemble for me the pertinent facts in the various transactions. shall take such action as seems essen tiai for the full protection of the pub lie interest I shall not hesitate Co call for the resignation of any official whose conduct in this matter in any way warrants such action upon my part. The dismissal 0f an officer of the Government. such as IS involved in this east, rather than by impeachment, is exclusively an executive function. regard this as 4 vital principle of our Government.
 aIn discussing this principle. MT. Madison has well said It IS laid down in most of the constitutions or bills of rights in the Republic of Amer aca. fl Is t0 be found in the political writings of the most celebrated civil lans. and Is everywhere held as essen iial to the preservation of liberty. that the three great departments of Gov erument ho kept separate and dis= tinct.
 Clsveland's Stand
 President Cleveland likewise stat | ed the correct principle in discussing requests and demands made by the Senate upon him and upon different departments of the Government, in which he said
 "sTbey assume the right of the Sen ate t8 slt iu judgment upon the eXer- fcises of my exclusive discretion and executive function. for which l am solely responsible te the people from l whom l have go lately received the sa- cred trust of office
 Ny oath to support and defend the Constitution. my duty ta the pee pte who hnve chosen ne to execute the powers of thor great office and not Co relinauish them. and my duty to the chef mngistracy which l must pre- serYe unimnaired in all is dignity and Fig0r. compel me to refuse compliance with these demands
 The President is responsible to l the people for his conduct relative to ] the retention or dismissal of public officials 1 assume that responsibility and the people may be assured that as | soon as can be advised SO that l may act with entire justice to all parties concerned and fully protect the pub l lie interest l shall act.
 'I do not propose to sacrifice any innocent man for my own welfare. nor do propose Co retain in office any un- fl man for my own welfare. | shall try to maintain the functions of the Government unimpaired, to act upon the evidence and the law as l find 1t. and to deal thoroughly and summarily with every kind of wrong doing.
 "In the meantime. such steps have been and are being taken as fully to protect the public interests
 Great New York Speech
 The second event of the Presidents notable week was his visit to New York Tuesday and his Lineoln's Day address at the Waldorf Astoria, when, after paying remarkable tribute to the Great Emaneipator. he took up each of the great problems which face the country today.
 In regard to the Mellon Tax Cut Plan. for which the President stands flatly for the plan without change he sad. after reviewing the economic benefits of the bill
 "It Is entirely possible to have ! first class bill 1 want the country Co l have the best there is am for it be cause it will reduce taxes on all classes Iof income 1 am fer 1t because 1t will decrease the cost of living l am for | t because it Is economically. socially. and morally sound.
 But the people must understand | this Is their fight. They alone can win it Unless they make their wishes known to the Congress without regard te party this bill will not pass. I urge i them to renewed efforts.
 In the final moments of his address his waiting audience was at last sat | isfied with a definite statement of the administration g stand in the oil lease scandals Mr Coolidge qualified nothing but spoke directly and clearly hjs mind m the matter
 Again vs. the Bonus Declaring that the passage of the Soldiers Bonus Bill would ie0pardize the finances of the nation. Che Presi. dent concluded with a greater areu- ment He sad
 t.i am aware that some men made
 money out of the war Many of them lost what they made. but not all No doubt there are some such who are justly ta he criticized for greed and
 seitisiiness. Unfortunately they geula not pay the bonus T. would have to
 bc paid by the country, have already