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Show QUESTION OF DISABILITY. According to'a statement made in a letter written by Senator Moses to a political friend in Xew Hampshire, "President Wilson may live, but he will not be any material force or factor in anvthing. " Color is given to this assertion as-sertion by an Associated Press story from Washington to the effect that the president's physicians have ordered him to remain in bed "for an extended period.'' pe-riod.'' Evidently the condition of Mr. Y'ilson is far more serious than the public pub-lic has been led to believe, the question ques-tion of his disability to act under the constitution has been raised and some, of the officials at tl.o national capital are said to be considering the possibilities possibil-ities of the situation. There is no prec-' prec-' edent. President James A. Garfield was shot on the 2nd of July, 1SS1, and did not die iftitil September. The disability dis-ability question was not raised, however, how-ever, and Mr.- Arthur did not fulfill the duties of the office of president until after the death of Mr. Garfield. The constitution fails to state who shall decide the matter of disability, but it does provide that the vice president presi-dent shall act as president in case of such disability. Mr. Marshall, of course, would be one of the last men in the world to attempt to exercise any authority au-thority not specifically conferred upon him and can be depended upon to remain re-main in the background unless he is literally forced to act for the good of the country. The delicacy of his position posi-tion will be appreciated and his feelings feel-ings will be respected. There a.re many important problems to be solved in the near future, but outside of discussing the league of nations na-tions covenant congress has done practically prac-tically nothing during the extra session.'' ses-sion.'' So outside of the ratification or rejection of the league the president 's disabili-y would not make much difference differ-ence to congress for some months to come. As a matter of fact the senators and representatives are expected to ad-;ourn ad-;ourn at the end of the present month and leave ail legislative matters to the regular re-sion beginning the first Monday Mon-day in December. There are, however, many important domestic matters need-inz need-inz the president's attention. Attention Atten-tion has also been called to the fact that "the sweeping powers vested in the executive as war expedients still ere in the- hands of the executive execu-tive alone." It may be nece3. tary to exercise these powers at anv time. Just what will be flone should such oecasion arise is a matter of doubt. There r.hou! 1 be no indecent haste even should it prove true that the pre i!-'nt "will not be any material force or facteir in anything," anel his poiitieal exponents should not be the judg-s as to disability. We trust the qt.e-ion will not have to be decided and that President Wilson v.'iil fully reeover hi- health in a short time. In this hope v.c belie-.-e all the good people of Utah join. The latest, bulletin from the pre-iu.-ct 's bedside is more reassuring. |
