Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-02-17
- a.. ,obli,h below, the Presidents letter to
",.Ip,.,igating Committee, which has al
n' 'I ,..0 alluded to in the papers.
Wnshington, Jan. 70, 1881.

,.restigating Committee, which has Ill
H' 1..0 alluded to in the papers.
"'" Washington, Jan 26. 1887.
-. received on the evening ofthe oath
ol, ., vour letter covering a copy Of GER
ln''' ',.cIulions, purporting 10 have been a.
pl 'S' Is q committee Of the House Of Rep
d'psa ,, i of which you are chairman, and
i ''aDs, that youwll lay before that commit
rq% ,Sis nv leply, which | hasten TO make.
F'm "oOeors by the published proceedings
..a House of Representatives, that the
Of y" a;,ss Of which you are chairman, was
e0nl' "'"d on your motion The resolution
' S..% bv YOU, and finally adopted by the
Sa''.s raised direct issue with that part Of
h0u's, r,,l message, in which | held the fol-
ny ~" language: Before concluding this
p"'"7, think il due 20 the various executive
rP.s ,o,sn,s 10 bear testimony 10 the prosper
O'l" ,ooJtion. aud to the ability and integri-
!" ,,h which they have been conducted
wv" L.sn nv aim to enforce in all Of them
la and faithful discharge Of the pub
=. G",iness, and ii is gratifying to me to be.
w. ~ ,b,t,here is no Just cause OF complaint,
a' u.s., any quarter, at the manner in which
av~ have fulfilled the object Of their crea-
wv, Won, resolution is in the following
/ ..,d.-aRpsolved, That so much Of the
p'.s;deu,s Message as feln,esto the condi-
H., Of the various executive departments.
4" ,biInv and integrity with which they
I,,e beeo conducted, the vigilant and faith
Al discharge of the public business in all Of
1 ham and The causes OF complaint from any
o,rer at the manner in which they have
Gsred the objects Of their creation, be re-
G,rsd 10 a select committee Of nine members,
with mower to send for persons and papers,
and with Instructions TO inquire into the con-
dGou Of the various executive departments.
he ability and integrity with which they
has, been conducted-into the manner in
rbebt public business has been discharg-
din all Of them, and into all causes Of com
+ mint from any quarter, at the manner in
Which said departments of their bureaus or
snces or any Of their officers or agents Of ev-
,U description whatever, directly or indi-
rsy connected with them in any manner
,ftnlIy or unofficialy in the duties pertain
igo the public interest," have fulfilled or
filled to accomplish the objects Of their ere
rion or have violated their duties. or have
injured or impaired the public service and
interest; and that said committee in its in
qures may refer 10 snch periods Of time
alo them may seem expedient and proper"
1t also appears from the published pro-
c,edings Of the House, that this resolution
was accompanied and supported by speech
oconsiderabe length, in which you prefer
red many severe but vague charges Of cor
mpiOu and abuse in the Executive Depart
m,n,s The resolutions adopted by the com
nire as well as that adopted by the House
ITSELF must be taken in connection with your
introductory speech, which gives a charac-
ter Othe whole proceeding When thus re-
sarded, il is obvious that. by the resolution
cihe House. an issue is made with the Pres.
ldrnt Of the United States, as he had alleged
70 bis annual message. that the heads Of the
Executive departments had performed their
caclal duties with ability and integrity. In
your speech you denied this; you charged
lh'n with manifold corruptions and abuses
citrus, as you have done in former speeches
(Which you referred-and you demanded
a INVESTIGATION through the medium Of a
committee. Certain other members of the
house as appears by the published debate.
unned with you in these accusations, and for
,ae purpose ofascertaiuing the truth or false.
MOOD, the committee you demanded was or
oe'ed to be raised, and you were placed at
Y mead The first proceeding Of the invest.
saung committee is 10 pass il series of reso-
u'0ns' which, though amended in their pas
sSe were as understood, introduced by you;
Aung on the President and heads OF the de-
ahmen's, not to answer to any specific
.n',Se not to give information MS TO any par
sulaI transaction, but assuming that they
Aa s, Oeen guilty of the charges alleged,
.as upon them to furnish evidence against
themselves 49,
aaer the reiterated charges You have
~'0s y was to have been expected that you
. .sa,e nave been prepared 10 reduce them TO
PNuca'lons, and that the committee would
u u" proceed to investigate the matters alleg.
n y, But instead of this YOU resort 10 gener.
,, %' even more vague than your original
rs es;'aOns' and in open violation of the con-
SS'On' and OF that well established and
s" uaA'm' that all men are presumed to
innocent innocent until proved guilty according 10
~ s sSaOllshed rules oflaw." You request
S. ,@m and the heads OF the departments to
. sO@e our own accusers. And this call
I,, YV"s % be founded on the authority Of
4 s Scdy IN which alone. by the copsliluiiion,
b,,d . !, Of impeaching us is vested The
,uss ~ VI apartments may answer such re-
siS %ss ney please; provided they do not
M , "s1 'helr own time and that OF the Off
bp,i, Saue' their direction, from the public
0,.s I = 70 The injury thereof. To that Blu.
p,.s . snail direct then, to devote them