Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-12-14
The Democrats and President johnson

The Democrats and President johnson.
Thc Democrats as body have dropped
III johnson like q bot potato. Mr. lie Blond
Of OHIO, one Of tie Democratic leaders in
Congress, undoubtedly spoke for tho mass OF
his party in his remarks in theHous last
week on Mr.. Schenck's ill altering the times
FOX the meeting Of Congress. We copy
from the Congressional Gioje:
Mr. l. Blond We upon this side of the
House arc at loss to know the particular OBJ
igc; Of this ball. We have an idea, however,
that the President stands in the wayOi some
gentlemen here. We are not fully advised,
and | do not suppose that gentlemen opposite
intend 10 advise Us fully as TO the object they
have in making this change.
Mr. Schenck. We have not found that
either the President or his supporters have
stood in Uur way at all laughter.
Mr lie Blond. And my colleague might
add with equal truth tie Constitution. The
conclusion that we upon this side have come
20 in regard to this matter is. that the whole
object Of tins bill is TO strip the Executive OF
any appointing power. They seem TO have a
controversy upon the other side Of the House
as % the best mode OF accomplishing that
object. Tie Mli as originally introduced
provides for three sessions OF Congress. lt
Is now proposed 10 strike that out and let
the session commence upon the 18th Of March
and continue until the next session COM
m.nc,s.
Wei, sIr, SO far as these two proportions
. are concerned, ieel no particular interest
in either of them, because the result Of the
i adoption Of either # them viii be the same
buI .'alce taat tie country docs feel an
interest u tins matter. and they are not
wiling Jha5 this Congress shall MIKE any
change IN the present law 70 as 70 keep q
/ perpetual session Of Congress. Il Is unncc-
es-ary and uncalled Tor, and tie expense
tha- VII attend It 40 man can calculate
lie people at the proper time will feel these
thiugs. and Judge viii act upon the mat
IL: In such a way as VIII not be very salts
factory to those who favor this system oil
legislation. And now all | desire Is thai
gentlemen opposite Will simply come out AM
make the thing plain, 50 that the people
maJ understand it, and instead OF legislatna
IN tho manner they do, say al once that w'
viii have no Executive, but that VIC have
merely a tcEaut-at viii in the White Hous
and with no appointing power, but that th'
Senate Of the United States, so long as
shall remain 70 deal shall have the appoint
ing power
This Is not the only bin looking 70 tia
end. There is already proposition pend
Ing here, whereby the appointing power !
proposed 70 be taken IRON the Executive an
given 70 the Chief Justice of the Unite
States. Now, | think It would be We
enough, and ! make the suggestion here, 70
the Secretary OF the Interior 10 appoint tn
Chief Justice Of the United Sta ties. instead O
the Chief Justice appointing certain officer
in that Department OF the Government
Sir, / can see nothing hut mischief I
result from this system of legislation.
gentlemen are going to lcgislate in this way
! would much rather they should at one
bring forward q bill 10 strike OF the hea
of the Executive, for then the cOuntr
would understand it. We upon this side u
the Chamber have no interest in this con
test. not the least. beyond sustaining th
Constitution and free Government. Tn
President is not the man of our choice 81
did not put him where be Is. We claim q
benefits from him certainly We receive
none from him in the late campaign
Laughter.
Mr.. Ashley, OF Ohio. That Is rather un
Just.
NJ Spaiding. le have dropped HIM.
Mr. l. Blond We have never d5oppe
him, Tor We never took him up. II ere W.
no occasion for us TO drop that which "
never took Up We neither took him up
nor did be take us up. Il Is true tina
wherever be ran into our line of policy "
were bound 10 sustain him. as We sustau
every man vino Is right. But We have ueye
bhndly followed the lead OF the Ise-ident %
any other man The Democratic party Ia
never recognized but one leader, and thaJ !
the Constitution and laws passed in Vur
suance thereof Their leader by the natura
lew must die, and that coon while ours ma.
live tai the end OF me a not stranglod D.
It's Illegal guardians who are now trying b.
this ana other bills 10 paralyze one Of II
most important lines But, sir, We hay
never undertaken 60 sustain udiscrimlnatel
that which Ju, Radicals have put in place o
power, 10 do 30 would destroy any party II
The world Laughter