Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-03-30
GatrSt bp GflrgrGpD.
xxxvIth Congress
s--.-
Firn, Session
WAsnlNnror. Mnroh 2q

wAsniNoroN, March 20
HOUSE.--The House passed the Army
Appropriation IN. Mr.. Fenton from the
Committee on Revolutionary Claims, re-
ported bill providing Cor the settlement OF
claims Of officers and soldiers OF the ltevo-
lusionary array, and widows and children Of
those who died in q Q service.
Mr.. Grow, from the Committee on Terri
tories reported back the bill for the admis-
son Of Kansas. lie desired vote 10 be
taken on IL at an early day
Mr. Clark of Mo-, desired ill Thursday to
make n minority report
Messrs. Vallandigham, and Davis Of Ind
made speeches, indicating that they should
vote for tho admission Of Kansas
Mr.. Barrett spoke TO the opposite effect
Further proceedings were interrupted by
receipt o the following communication
from the President
To The House Of Representatives.
Alter delay which has afforded me am
pie time for reelection, and after much and
careful investigation, find myself COR
strained by an imperious sense OF duty NJ
coordinate branch OF the Federal GOVERN
ment, To protest against the first two clauses
Of the Grst resolution adopted by the House
Of Representatives on the 9th inst, and
published in the Congressional Globe on the
succeeding day.
The clauses arc in the following words:
First--"Resolved, That committee Of
Eve members be appointed by the Speaker,
Tor the purpose Of investigating whether the
President Of the U. ). or any officer Of the
Government has, by money, patronage or
any other improper means. sought tO in
fluence the passage Of any law sppertain-
ing " the rights Of any State or Territory,
ard
Secopd--AlsO 70 inquire into and investi,
gate whether any officer, or officers Of the
Government has by combination or other
wise, prevented or attempted TO prevent or
defeat the execution of any law or laws now
upon the statute books, or whether the
President has failed or refused to compel
the execution Of any Law thereof"
/ conhne myself exclusively TO these two
branches Of the resolution. because the por.
tions Of it which follow relate to alleged
abuses in the Postofhce, nuvv yards, public
buildings and other public works of the u,
States.
In such cases inquiries are highly proper
in themselves, and belong equally 70 the
Senate and House, as incident to their le-
gitmate duty, and being necessary to ena'
bic them to provide appropriate Legislative
remedies for any abuses which may bC
ascertained Although the terms of the
latter portion Of the resolution are extreme
ly vague and general, yet my sole purpose
in aoyerting to them at present is to mari
the broad line Of distinction between tn,
accusatory and remedial clauses OF the reso
luton.
The House Of Representatives possess n,
power under the Constitution over the first
or acGusatory position of the resolution eK'
cept as an impeaching body, whilst over th
last, in ccommon with the Senate thei
authority as a legislative body is fully ant
cheerfully admitted. IL is solely in refer
tnce to the first as impeaching power tina
| propose to make few observations =
Except in this single case the Constitution
has invested the House of Representative
: with no power, no Jurisdiction, no suprem
" whatever over the President In oil
other respects he is quite as independent o
them as they are Of him. AS coordinate
br nch of the Government he is their equa
indeed he is the only direct representa-
tive on earth of the people of oil and eacl
= Of the Sovereign States.
To them and them alone is he responsible
. whilst acting within the sphere Of his cen.
stitutional duty, and not in any manner /
3 the House oil X, presentatives. The peopl
8 have thought proper to invest him with tn
most honorable, responsible and dignihed of
flee in the world, and the individual, how
D ever unworthy, now holding this ex -lted pO
sltiOn, will take cire 80 far as in him lies
that their rights and prerogatives shall nev
er be violated in his person. but shall pas
to his successors unimpaired by the adop
tion OF dangerous precedent He vii
defend them TO the last extremity agafns
any unconstitutional attempt come iron
what quarter it may, to abrIdge the cOnsti
tutiUnal rights oil the Executive, and rende
him subservient to any human power excep
, themselves.
, The people have not confined the Presi
: dent to exercise the Executive duties; the
have also conferred on him large measur
E Of legislative discretion. No bill can becom
Il law without his approval, as representa-
the people of the United States unless
shall pass both houses. In his legislatiy
capacity he might in common with the Sen
ate aud House, institute inquiry to asceI
tain any facts which are to influence hi
judgment in approving or vetoing the bill
This participating in the performance q
legislative duties between CO ordina,
branches Of the Government ought to in
spire the conduct Of all of them in thei
relations towards each other with mutua
! lorbearance aid respect, at least each has
right to demand justice of the other.
The cause of complaint is that the Consti
tuional rights and Immunities of the Execu
: tive have been violated in the person of tn
President.
e The trial Of an impeachment Of the Presi
dent before the Senate, on charges PREFER
{ ed against him by the House of Represen
: tatves, would be an imposing spectacle 70
the world In the result, not only his re
, moval from the Presidential office would b
involved, but, what is of infinitely create
: Importance to himself, his character, bot
: in the eyes Of the present and future gener
ations, might possibly be tarnis
SENATE.-Nothing of any interest wa
I transacted in the Senate.