Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 June 1919 — RESPONSIBLE, BUT NOT RESPONSIVE. [ARTICLE]

RESPONSIBLE, BUT NOT RESPONSIVE.

Republicans wanted office and sought power, but apparently they are unwilling to accept and discharge responsibilities. This fact is made abundantly jranifest to all who read the pleas and plaints that have come from Republican leadership in congress following the president's latest message. As a minority in the last congress, these same Republicans were persistent—tout not always consistent —critics of President Wilsdn’s failure to recommend tasks and courses of legislation. As a majority in the present congress they begin their careers as critics of his proposals for the very enactments they previously demanded. These Readers of a majority that has taken control of congress expect the president to retain the initiative and accountability for all that is done by way of passing new or recalling old laws. They seek to continue their role of critics of his performances instead of being themselves performers. They have ■wailed for six years that the president has usurped and exercised autocratic authority in the legislative as well as the executive branch of the government. They have called on the people to end his sway by electing them. Yet, at the moment when power is in their keeping, they decry the president for exacting of them the duties that go with'

their dominance. It was charged that the president had failed to offer any suggestions for the disposition of the railroads, the telephones and the telegraphs. It was lamented that he had no plans for reducing taxation. It was asserted that he was without ideas for reconstruction. They were Indignant alike at his actions ahd his omissions. But now that he has submitted to them a program which contemplates remedies for all the conditions that war has begotten, this Republican majority is a loud voice of protest and denunciation. President Wilson has recommended the return of the railroads and the other utilities that the government diverted to its control under the exigencies of war. He has given them specifications as to the lowering and abolition of taxes. He has presented the need and the outline for industrial reforms. He shows the way to make constructive changes in the tariffs. He has requested assistance to our foreign commerce—which will be a help to our domestic business. He has recommended provisions in behal! of soldiprs and sailors —and has referred congress to a plan already evolved. What is the Republican answer! “It is the most demagogic message that has ever gone to congress,” says Senator New of Indiana. “He has handed us a lemon,” says a representative from Pennsylvania. “It is a political maneuvef,’’ says a third. But the country knows to whom to look for legislation. The Republican 'majority must act. Whether they accept or reject the president’s program, they become answerable for what they do. And it is the prospect of having to act instead of merely carp that pains them so grievously. They at last are responsible and they must also be responsive.