The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-06
XXXIXth CONGRESS, I'D SESSION.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. S.

Tue IaDle 1or Inc Tune OelnB.
Mr.. Sherman offered a resolution to
provide seats for the reporters of the
United States News Agency and the
Associated Press.
Mr.. CONFESS asked to have it lie over
for the present, and it took that course.
A bill passed by the House to repeal
the confiscation section of the act of
rections, &C., was discussed at some
length.
On motion by Mr.. Chandler to pro-
coed to its consideration, Mr.. Chandler
reiterated the charge that women of
questionable character had hawked
Pardons about this city, giving as his
authority Judge of the Supreme Court
of the bill.
Mr.. Howe thought it should be sent
to the Judiciary Committee; it should
not be hurriedly considered.
Mr.. Grimes opposed the considering
OF the resolution now. He feared that
the country would regard the haste as
an attempt to incite the President to
do the very thing sought to be avoided.
MIR. Dickson, of Conn.,, contradicted
the statement made by Mr.. Chandler
in regard to the sale of pardons and
said there was no truth in it, although
he was not at liberty to state the real
facts of the case now. He hoped the
"ONAN ~ AC4SLAGO " lLl6
Committee.
Mr.. Trumbull advocated referring
the bill for the present, but hoped it
would not be supposed that he opposed
the bill.
Mr.. Chandler withdrew his objection
to the reference, and it took that course.
The regular standing committees
were then appointed by resolution.
On motion, various portions of Ethe
Presidents Message were referred to
the appropriate committees.
Mr.. Sumner introduced his resolu-
ton i'll regard to Reconstruction and
the duty OF Congress in relation thereto.
he then read letters from Texas alIeg-
ing that the government of that State
was sham, and was in opposition to
/ the Union, as we'll as that the legisla-
ture aimed to practically restore the in
stitution of slavery. The resolution
was laid over.
Anumber of bills, etc., previously in
troduced, were then referred to appro-
pirate committees.
The Senate conculred in the Joint
Resolution from the House empower
ing the Committee on Reconstruction,
appointed last session, to continue its
labors.
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House met ut IL o'clock, and af-
|
of yesterday was read.
The Speaker laid before the House the
laws of the Territory of DacOtah.
Mr.. Washburne, of Illinois, offered a
resolution calling on the Secretary OF
| War to communicate to the House the
report of the tour of inspection of Bre-
| vet Brig. Gen. BabcOck, made during
the past season, or such portions thereof
as he may deem proper to commune
cate.
Mr.. Williams, of Pa, moved to re-
consider the bill regulating appoint
ments to office, which was reported by
him last session, and proceeded to state
this time. Tho bill, he said, was OF
great national Importance. He dis
cussed fully the policy which should
govern appointments and removals
from office, combating the idea that the
President has or should have an ire
spo1sibie right to remove, and quoting
freely from political and legal de-
cisiOns in support of his position.
| Mr.. Williams, of Pa, moved to re-
consider the bill regulating the appoint
ment of officers reported by him ut the
last session, and then proceeded to ar
que in favor of the bill. 1t rested, he
said, on the hypothesis of that power
of removal. 1t did not rightruily be-
long to the President alone under the
Constitution, and that it could not be
safely left with him without restraint
upon the exercise, and this upon gen.
eral principle, and without any refer
ence to the merits or dement's of the
existing functiOnary. II aimed at the
reformation of great vice in the adj
ministratiOn of the government, by
bringing its practice back to the true
spirit and meaning of the fundamen-
tai law. In doing so it disturbed no IT,
ties and attacked no judicial precedent
1t contemplated merely a legislative
opinion of yesterday, and it was moi
the first time that opinion had been
| questioned. 1t had been anticipated by
u denial of an authentic character. ii
was the opinion of divided court
and it was not even old enough to be
venerable. But to estimate justly the
weight to which it was entitled, il
would be necessary to show its precise
| extent, the circumstances by which il
was attended, and the argument bv
which it was sustained. It was noted
that those who were opposed to the
adoption of the Constitutional Amend.
ment, had objected that it would give
to the President the executive powers
of a King. Not even the advocates Of
its adoption claimed that it was intend.
ed to give him the emiuently
kingly power of removing the other
officers of the government at his
own individual will. On the meeting
OF the first Congress, however, the queS.
ton came up whether the head OF the
department of foreign affairs should be
removable mt the will of the President
one party claiming that the power OF
removal was included in the power tC
appoint. and contending that it could
be exercised only in connection with
the Senate. The other, at the head Of
which was Madison, contending that il
was thus entrusted with great power
OfFP1V a
COnscientiOuSly exercised for a lone
time that the confidence reposed in The
executive seemed to be justified, and
when the statesmen of later period
became alarmed at the use that was
made of that power, 1t was found to bt
in vain, because triumphant party
looking to the offices of the government,
as its lawful spOils, resisted successful.
ly every attempt to go back to the true
reading of the Constitution,
Mr.. Williams then proceeded to argue
ut length in favor of the policy of re,
storing the executive powers, and quo,
ted freely from political authorities anG
legal decisions in support of his view
he then reviewed the course of the
present executive, and his RVowals O.
the policy he intended to pursue in this
respect, arguing that the interests of the
country, the principles of the Constitu
ton and the dignity of the people, anG
ofCongress and as their Representatives
all demanded that the power of the
President should be restricted by the
passage Ofthis bill, and that if the ex.
ecutive then failed or refused to obey
the will of the people, the obstacles shall
be removed. At the conclusion of Mr.
Williams speech, he said he did moi
wish to press the passage of the bill al
this time, and that the previous Ques.
ton on the motion be reconsidered.
MIR. Schenck, of Ohio, hoped the mo.