The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-25
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Tho Senate and the Tonuro-ocOmcc Law.

Tho Senate and the TeBuTe-Of. Office LAVE
From GtS ~. T. H'rohL
A radical caucus of tho Senate has decided
unou the postponement of tue repeal or modi-
6oatjon of the Tenure-of- Office law TIL the 4th
of March. Such leading Republicans OF the
Senate as Fessenden, Sherman, ana morton
pleaded earnestly for the repeal as slnple
measure OF justice to the President elect; put
n anpears that Wilson aud Sumner, OF Massa-
ohusetts, gained their point by parading before
tbe startled Southern "oarpet-baggers" the
Ubost of Andy Johnson. 1t was true that the
Pestriotions OF the existing law, which had
kept Johnson on his good behavior, were not
needed for Grant; but still, looking to the
future, beyond Grant, some modiiicauons OF
the law would be wiser than its absolute re-
peal. But inasmuoh as II bill amending she
law or repeating the law were sent up to Jonn-
son he would seize the occasion for one Oh ms
villaDous lectures to the Senate, Wilson would
nostpone the subject to avoid this satisfaction
~ Johnson, And 80, upon this childish pre-
tense. the caucus voted to pass the subject
over to the new Congress, when Johnson Will
be out OF the way.
tbia nrooeeding. Sumner has no faith in
Grant Wilson follows in the wake of Sumner
and Massachusetts, rules the radical ring Of
ibe Senate, 1t is thus decreed that before
Grant is released from the shaokles with which
Congress tied up Johnson he must show his
hand define his position in his Cabinet and in
his inaugural, or in his initial message to the
new Congress. Nobody knows what the
Cabinet OF Grant is to be; nobody knows what
his inaugural will be; and 1t is not expected
that 1t will be anything more than a few
appropriate and suggestive general remarks
on the political situation. But the first thing
after the organization Of the new Congress on
the 4th Of March will be the appointment of
Joint committee to wait upon the new Presi-
dent, and inform him that the two houses are
organized for business and ready to receive
any communication he may have to make.
What answer will the new President make to
this customary and direct application from
Congress for his views on public affairs The
Senate, In postponing the consideration of the
bill In question, say, "Let us wait and see.
II he is with us, all right; but If he be against
us, we have him. Let the oracle speak before
We bow down and worship it,"
But the simple question is whether the new
President or the Senate shall be master over
his department, or whether Grant shall occupy
the executive status of Lincoln or be put in
the straight jacket Of Johnson. lie will, most
probably, find himself on entering the White
House in the position of Johnson. If 80, his
proper answer to the committee from Congress
will be that he has no communication to make
to either house for the present, except to sug-
Of the Tenure Office law. Having in the
meantime requested the Johnson Cabinet to
remain In their places for at least the one
month still accorded them under said law, let
the President await the issue of his suggestion
to the two houses. If they fall back upon
their dignity, let him stand upon his and the
rights of his Office, and make it, il they please,
q question OF endurance on mastery mac
tivity. Let him resolve to eight it out on
this line If it takes all summer" and the
Jaoobins of the Senate will soon, from the
outside pressure, be compelled to surrender.
II is well known by the Senate that Gene
raj Grant desires the repeal OF the Tenure-of-
Office law; that he wishes 1t in order to have
his hands free in the great contemplated work
Of retrenohment and reform ''in a faithful
collection Of the revenue;" that he wishes to
be able, in the absence of the Senate, not to
suspend, but to remove incompetent or un-
faithful officials, without being compelled,
like johnson, to give his reasons in every
case or in any case to the Senate. There are
Senators, however, who have certain cousins
and nephews and other favorites in Office and
out of office to look after and with the Pre-
sident under the thumb of the Vice Presi-
dent, as the head Of the Senate, these people
may be saved or provided for. Under the
existing law, so applied, the administration
will be subject to the trading Office cliques Of
the Senate, and will be powerless for retrench
ment or reform.
The first and main purpose of General Grant
therefore, on the outset, should be to Suggest
the repeal of this crippling and demoralizne
Tenure-of- Office law. Upon this issue, as in
volving the highest public interests, we thinl
he can oheerfully reconcile himself to John
sons Cabinet for q month or two, from Sewar
down to Grandfather Weles; and to the polio
of mastery inactivity, likewise, in referenc
10 his foreign missions, the custom houses
internal revenue offices, pOstmasters, distriC
marshals, attorneys, and everything elst
Doubtless, however, the experiment in relatio
to the Cabinet would be sufficient. Let til
President elect, then, on the 9Th of March, i
answer TO the committee OF Congress, sa
that, as under the Tenure-of Office law tn
members of the Cabinet of Mr.. Johnson al
entitled In equity to one month more in oflic
he has requested them to hold over for th
period, subject to the repeal of the law, an
that In the interval he will have no speci
communication to make to either house, al
the result will be the prompt passage
Buffers bill. Such an achievement in Il
interests OF the Government would be hard
second in importance to the capture OF Fo
DoneIsOn as the FIRST victory of General Graz
In his new position. Let him try it, for upC
this issue the country is heartily with him.
The Senate and Removals from Office.