Evening star., 1925-05-10

The Senator in question, in all his
social relations, was surrounded by
the Kind of people who are always for
a larger Army. The majority was
for reducing the Army and the Sena-
tor had voted with the majority.
I commended him for his inde
pehdence. He replied: "Yes. but take
1t from ME, got hell from my wife
when she read in the newspapers the
record of that vote"
The conversation ended. A week
later there was a reconsideration of
thesvote, and I noticed that the Sena-
toF|changed his position. Apparently
his. wife's censure had been effective.
~, - White House Influences.
To what extent are White House
influences exerted to control the ac-
ton aef the Senate? Let us be more
SPECIFIC. To what extent have Presi-
dents in recent years used the power
of their office to control Senators or to
chastise them whenever their wills
upon, political questions might clash
with the Executive will? The denial
of, patronage makes it more difficult
forr a. Senator to obtain reelection.
Can President, by threatening to
withhold political patronage from Sen
ators, control their votes. Frankly,
yes.
Z have seen the most petty means
employed to humiliate Senators who
differ with an Executive.
1t, is only just to say that these
petty punitive acts of the Executive
are often done by subordinates-mem
bers. of the cabinet, department heads
and ,ether appointees and partisans Of
the, President. But all Senators know
that all administrations indulge in
these practices.
The pressure exerted upon Senators
by.a President in favor of his policy
is at times tremendous. Many a Sem
atpr, conscientiously differing with
the; Executive. has had his soul ha-
rassed for weeks, and felt the burdens
of.sa political cross bearing heavily
upon his shoulders. An unseen crown
of thorns is often pressed by a Presi-
dent upon the forehead of an official
WHO publicly appears to be wearing a
Wreath of laurels.
Scarcely a strong, independent char
actef has served in the Senate for any
length of time who has not had Ex-
ecutive punishment meted out to him.
The. stories Of each Senator would
make interesting political history.
No Senator has any doubt OF the
truth of the Idahoan Senator's remark
during the Warren debate, IF there
is any atmosphere in Gods world that
weakens a mans backbone 1t is the
atmosphere of Washington" He
for Washington.
In my opinion, not an Executive
controlled Congress-. but only free
and Independent Congress, responsible
to the peoples will and each Senator
to,his oath, can meet the requirement
ofI-t21e Constitution; can give to the
Government the permanence and bal
an3e which will safeguard the future
and promote the permanent public
--cifsre.
question OF Lame Ducks.
1t will surprise the public-no Sena
toE.,however-to learn of the complete
control an Executive exercises over
: the. votes of lame-duck Senators.
refer to those Senators who have
failed of denomination or reelection
in the biennial elections and yet retain
. their seats in the Senate until the fol
lowing March 4.
when the question of sustaining the
Presidents veto of the postal EN-
p;oyes' salary bill came up for fina
vote In the Senate on January 6, 1925
TSiper cent of the lame-duck Senators
changed the position they took in tht
Senate before election, while onl,
aboHt 25 per cent of all other Senator.
changed their votes. This is a fail
example of the influence the Execu
tfve- has in the after-election session
OF leach Congress. The lame-ducl
votes turned the tide in favor of thu
veto, for it was sustained by only ont
vote. ss..s
During the debate on this measure
it;was openly charged that the vet
would be sustained, not on it's merits
but because Of the influence OF tn
Executive.
$50 Aptorious and obnoxious has III
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