Show Congressional Usurpation Q FRANCE of Maryland is sponsor for a n L. L SENATOR resolution declaring amnesty for all nIl Socialists and andradi radi radicals ls confined or under prison sentences under age Je act net convictions con and it is said the same samo resolution will be introduced in the House Bouse of Representatives There has been n much talk rc recently of usurpation of authority o of Congress by the tho Executive We wonder if it has occurred to these thes benevolent gentlemen that the right to grant pardons is not enumerated among the powers of Congress in the Constitution of tho the United I States but that the tho sole power power to to grant reprieves and nd I I pardons for offenses against the tho United States except in cases of impeachment is vested by that document in the President There has been no amendment to the tho Constitution transferring this prerogative from the executive c to the legislative department an and yet Jet it is seriously proposed by congressmen to confer amnesty upon offenders against the laws of the United States by legislative e enactment It is doubtful if the tho resolution if passed by both houses would be honored by the federal prison authorities ties who are arc under bond to support and obey tho the Con Con- Anyway these zealous sympathizers with th criminals who sought to defeat the United States in the war might remember that a party of Socialists have havo announced their intention of gathering in V Washington ash in on April 13 to demand the release of Eugene V. V Debs from the Atlanta penitent penitentiary and all other prisoners held bed for what they term political offences These Socialists appear to know more about the legal method of procedure than some somo congressmen They They- are arc pursuing pursuing pursuing pur pur- suing tho the proper course at any rate They are approaching approach approach- ing the only sour source there is for granting the amnesty tho they seek seck and they are aro doing it respectfully and in a lawful manner presumably knowing that the right of petition shall not be denied which is not to say however however how how- c ever er that their petition shall be granted In rz the interest interest interest inter inter- est of safety and the future welfare of tho the United States it should not be granted I |