PRESIDENTIAL POWERS AND RESTRICTIONS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3038, 7 November 1908, Page 4

PRESIDENTIAL POWERS AND RESTRICTIONS.

Now that Mr Taft has been elected President of the United States, it is interesting to note what the powers of the big "general utility" map will be when he goes to the White House. The author of "The Heart x>f Things" in u Chamber's" remarks that the new President will be a man of much more consequence than the monarchs of most States. The American people spend about £1,000,000 on a Presidential election, and being a great business people, like to get value for their money—like their President, to be a man with authority to his hand. His power over legislation is much greater than that of our King. The President can return a Bill to Congress with alterations and to gain its point Congress must re-pass the measure by a two-thirds majority in each House. He can summon Congress and dismiss it if the Houses cannot agree about an adjournment. He can grant reprieves, and, with the Senate behind him, inake treaties and appoint ambassadors and other officials whose appointments are not determined by any special regulations. Generally speaking he can fill the most important positions, including Cabinet posts, as he pleases. He is the master of all ports, and without giv- • ing any excuse, can prevpnt any ship from entering any of them. He cannot declare war, but he can make peace as he chooses.