North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-12-30
Tenure-0f-Omce.

lue Cnic0SO l2McS OF MOnQay, mas the
folio king article on the Congressional
monstrosity above captioned. 1t is time
the President Of the United Stotes was re-
stored from his late automaton position to
the dignity of an EXECUTIVE and the
rights of Constitution Law. Gen. Grant
was not our choice; but he is the President
elect of our country, as much as his
Twas spite that induced tho passage of
the "Tenure = twill be still farther graf
ification for the impeachers of johnson to
rub the infamous bill out, prior to the
induction of Grant and Colfax:
There is now wide difference of opin-
ion in the press of the ruling party as to
the policy Of repeating the tenure-of.ofiice
law. Extreme radical newspapers protest
against the repeal, and conservative news
papers say that it ought to be repealed
before the fourth of March next.
1t will not be disputed that it was
passed, not only to diminish the power
and influence of President johnson, but
with the intent to rebuke and humiliate
him. It took from him authority which
all of our preceding presidents have exer-
cised. 1t took from him authority that
the first congress which assembled after
the formation of the constitution declared
was invested in the president by the con-
stitution. The law was declared by
congress, at the time Of its passage, to be
necessary because of the corrupt character
of President johnson, and his employ
ment Of the public patronage for purposes
inimical and dangerous to the public
safety. 1t was not a formal impeachment
of him, but it was, in fact, an allegation
that he was unworthy to be trusted with
the appointing power. As such, it was
regarded by the whole country.
Considering the estimation in which the
people Of the country hold Gen. Grant,
is it belitting that he should enter upon
the duties Of the presidency under such a
law? Will not its continuance be a
charge that he cannot be trusted as all
our presidents, excepting Mr.. johnson,
have been ard that he is an object of
such suspicion as justifies congress in re-
ducing him to machine, and divesting
him of all responsibility? The controversy
about the repeal If the law brings this
question squarely up, and there can be no
evasion of it.
Whatever may be the virtues or failinss
of President johnson as man or states
man, the position of congress toward him
is as here stated. The tenure office law
puts it in the same position toward Gen.
Grant; and the radical newspapers speak
of him, not as a bad man, but one whom
the ruling party ought to place under
guard. The inyectives of Wendell Phil.
lips against Grant, and his demand that
the law be maintained and enforced, would
not, probably, greatly influence public
opinion but the New York Tribune, and
say that the General must rot be intrusted
with the appointing power, as were all of
our presidents up to the time of the
passage Of the law.
As general rule, members Of congress
designate who shall hold the federal
Offices within their respective districts, and
the president dominates them, and the
senate confirms them. When the presi-
dent and congress are not of the same
political party, the rule is not followed !;
but the party which elected General Grant
will be in the ascendency in the next con-
gress. Why should it be afraid to trust
him? The people have more confidence
in him than in congress.
Unless we can have something like the
civil service bill reported by Congressman
Jenckes, or provide for the election of all
federal officers, it is better that tho prcsi-
dent have full power over removals. The
man elected by the people for the chief
magistracy will be much more likely to
make proper appointments if left free,
than If required to meet the whims and
interests Of congressman. Regard for his
own reputation, if no higher motive, will
lead him to select men whom he thinks
will make good officers. Under the
tennre-of.oHice bill, the president is
xelsasad from responsibility for official
corruption and thA result is, that the
treasury Is cheated out of IN amount
equal to that which it. receives.