The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-04-25

of Office Act unconstitutional and further that the
Cabinet discussed how could be made for the testing
thereof The putting of these questions led to one of the
most interesting introductory discussions of the trial
THEORY RESPONSIBILITY.
The object presenting such evidence was shield the
President behind the advice of his Secretaries General
Butler and Judge Wilson this promptly The Constu-
ton makes the President responsible the nation through
the process of impeachment in progress. That nsr
recognizes such institution responsible Cabinet
It allows the President to ask the opinion of heads of de-
partmens in writing. But their advice could not protect
him. He was sworn to the laws He is responsible
for duties evaded crimes commed not his Secretaries.
This was reversal of the English theory, which, holding
the King do wrong" does not allow order issued
by the King protect the Ministers, who do wrong
and are responsible king only be reached by
uonary tribunal process Our Executive is subject
removal by the process of law.
The Importance of the point aimed by the counsethat
of making the advice of his Secretaries protect and justify
the Predencan be easily The progress of the trial
and the discussions therein have daily rendered and
more clear the fact that this struggle for the supremacy of
certain tendencies The acquitta of the President nsures
the continuance of attempts to enlarge the Executive office
to Napoleonize tin fact The conviction of the Pres
dent nsure the supremacy of the legislative Junction. and
the accountability the Executive the nation through its
representatives sitting in this way. It is imperialism and
autocracy the hand ordered representative Re-
publican institutions the other in which everyone will
be held duly accountable for derelicon of duty attempts
to usurp power betray liberty.
The Senate voted four several times many different
variations of the question: admit testimony the
Cabinet advice discussions This shut all the tes
mony, mainly declarations made by the President himself
which had been expected from the Cabinet In these rul
ngs of the Senate Judge Chase sustained he having
given his opinion the other way
NECESSITY PLEADED FOR DIsoBEDIENoE.
curious example given to-day, in the evidence Of
Postmaster General Randall of the necessity of proving to
high officials that their first duty is obedience General
Butler illustrate the disregard of the provisions of the
Tenure of Office law characteristic of this administration
placed Foster Blodge, Mayor Of Augusta Georgia. the
stand Mr. Bodget suspended early in January last
Postmaster No had been given to the Senate then
in session, or SINCE for the act.
Governor Randall testified he did suspend Mr. Blodge
and that the was that he had been indicted for perjury
in having taken the test oath qualifying for the Office
He asked he had informed the President of his action?
He replied he had Also whether he suspended him under
the law Whether the President any for it into
the Senate? To which he replied He further said that
he suspended him because he thought necessary Rather
cool tell Senators that the laws they passed Of
count except the Postmaster General President might
consider necessary.
The facts in this these Mr. Blodgett original
unionist native of Georgia. and prominent citizen when
the broke Well known because Of his unionism
and unable leave the State, he for short time in the
earliest days of the war, commanded company of State
militia which, however, sworn into the Confeder-
ate service Before the ended he active peace
man. When the rebel armies surrendered he associated him
self Immediately with the Union movement In 1865 John
son made him Postmaster because he could take the test OATH
General Pope made him Mayor of Georgia. The Repub
can party in convention made him chairman of their
mte and elected him to the late constitutional convention
He prominent candidate for the United States Senate
These things made him the obeco attack by the rebels and
Johnsonized officials One of theseUnited States District
him the rebel Grand jury having
committed perjury in taking the oath of office. The indic
ment remains and Mr. Bodge cannot get it tried But the
District Attorney sent the made case to Governor Randall
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