Evening star., 1949-05-02
Truman S PATRONAGE
Threat Held Possible
Violation Of Law
CriminoI Code Is Cited
On Rewordins Congress
Members for Vote
By David Laurence

fVsSHbVStS tVI VOtS
By David Laurence
Has President Truman COM
mitted an ofiense for which. un-
der the Constitution. he could be
irnpeached?
The laws Of the United States
forbid any person to offer any
member Of Congress any bribe or
thing Of value" to influence the
vote Of such member. The crime
is punishable by fine and impris-
onment.
President Truman told his press
conference last Thursday that the
way that Democratic members Of
Congress voted on repeal Of the
Taft-Hartley Act would be test
which he would apply in filling
jobs sought by members Of Con-
Rress for their constituents.
Since Mr.. Truman controls the
so-called patronage" Of the Gov
ernment, this is q threat to mem
bers Of Congress II they do not
vote as the President dictates. and
1t is q promise of reward to those
members who obey the dictation.
Here is what the United States
Criminal Code says:
Whoever promises, offers. or
gives any money or thing Of value.
or makes or tenders any check.
order, contract. undertaking. obli-
CATION. gratuity, or security for
the payment Of money or for the
delivery or conveyance of anything
of value, to any member Of either
house of Congress, or delegate to
Congress, or resident commission
er, either before or after he has
qualified, or to any person with his
consent. connivance, or concur
renee, with intent to influence his
action, vote. or decision on any
question. matter, cause, or pro-
ceeding which may at any time be
pending in either house of Con-
gress, or before any committee
thereof, or which by law may be
brought before him in his capacity
as such member, delegate, or resi-
dent commissioner, shall be fined
not more than three times the
amount Of such money or value
OF such thing or imprisoned not
more than three years. or both"
Patronage Used rs Club.
All Presidents in the past are
suspected Of having used patron
age" as a club over members Of
their party but 1t is doubtful
whether any Chief Executive said
SO in so many words or offered any
Federal jobs specifically in return
for a vote by Representatives or
Senators on pending measure. II
anything like that has ever hap
pened, 1t certainly has never been
publicly admitted as it was by Mr..
Truman last week.
The impeachment article of the
Federal Constitution says that any
President who Is tried and con-
victed for Grimes and misde-
meanors" may be removed from
Office.
These references to the laws Of
the land and the Constitution are
cited. not because either house will
bring impeachment proceedings
but to indicate what q hollow
mockery has been made Of the laws
Of the United State by politicians.
Today the materialistic back
ground of Federal politics takes it
for granted that almost anything
goes. A few days ago there were
rumors on Capitol Hill that the ad-
ministration was offering favors
in order to line up votes for the
repeal of the Taft Hartley Act.
There were reports about public
works projects that were being
brought forth from old lists and
dangled before members whose
districts and constituents would
benefit by such Federal expendi-
ture.
Aim to Punish Southerners.
Also q group Of pro-adminis-
tration Democrats openly declared
that the time had come to punish
Southern Democrats by ganging
up on appropriations needed by
the Southerners. There seems to
be no hesitancy in emphasizing
these sordid aspects Of present.
day politics.
Now when the President Of the
United States himself enters the
auction of votes and indicates
that Federal jobs will be allotted
to Congressmen and Senators for
their loyalty" and in reality in
exchange for their votes, it is
natural for the administration
henchmen to grow bolder on
Capitol Hill in their offers Of
"things Of value"
One wonders where conviction
and principle have gone. One
wonders whether the much boast
ed democracy and representative
government, in its defects, differs
very much under the skin from
the totalitarian systems where
the executive controls the legisla-
ture and "purges" or Furnishes
those who do not 60 along with
his will.
1t is q sad commentary on the
lack Of ethics in government.
But, fortunately. only minority
will be affected by the White
House threats. The vast majority
of members of Congress will not
be bribed or coerced into altering
their convictions.