Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-03-26
Otfora 1tmotrat.
PARIS, MAINE, MARCH 20, 1869.
The Tenure of Office let.

II H. intimated that President Grant 1
awaiting the action of Congress on th'
Tenure of Office act, before making re
moyals from and appointments To office
and this invests the act and discussions
upon il with uncommon interest Ia tbs
oats and las
Whether the Legislation of Congress
two years ago, in passing the act, which
though oonteaded for upon principle anC
said t. be permanent. was neverthe
less somewhat special and intended K
meet and checkmate recreant and ob
stinste President, was wise or Otherwise
seems to be the question, and the atti
tude of the Senate, just now, is rather
embarrassing Those who voted for the
law, while they do not wish to subject
themselves 10 the charge of inconsistent
cy, are careful how they DO anything tc
throw diStl ust or suspicion upon PreSi
dent Grant-so they favor suspension
OF the act for eight months, which viii
carry ii to the commencement of the
next session Of Congress. The Judici.
AIRY Committee report this course, and
Mr.. Trumbull and the new senator from
Wisconsin, Mr.. Carpenter, support by
able arguments such action. Then there
are those Who desire the absolute and un.
conditional repeal of the law. both from
principle and la give the new President
clear field with nothing 10 embarras-
him. The ciear-headed Senator from In
diana. Morton, leads this party, but h.
gets into bad company, for the Demo,
Gratis all 80 with him. and certain Repub-
licsnS whc only voted for the measure
from cNpe,Gcucy. Then there are those
who are opposed 10 meddiing with it al
all senator Edmuni>. of Vermont.
may lSe regarded a the aLlcst advocate
of This course. He MAS the Chairman of
the Committee which reported the bill
originally, and he contends that il Is 4
xi~r provision which should become
woven into our government. As a check
upon the Executive. As the Magma
Charta in Gr,a; Britain was originated
~ the evil conduct OF Ming John, 50 this
IA might have been originated by the
misconduct Of Andrew Johnson, but -
the Magma ChaIta has never been re-
pa.aled neither should this law Parson
Brownlow also made pi,hy speech, or
v-ote one which the Clerk read, argu-
iRg strongly for the retention of the act .
The chief reason given for repeating it
seemed 70 be the confidence Of Congress
ant the people in the President. hut thai,
seemed 10 him no reason at ALL No one
thin or outside of that chamber had a
higher estimate than he of President
Grants character, but IL considering such
4 proposition rs the one now pending he
GOULD not, nor should the Senate, be- gov
erNcd by nyihinE 81 unreliable - indi-
sidual character CT 81 cvancscent - in
GviIual life The new Senator from
Wisconsin, Mr.. Carpenter, made an
elaborate speech against the uncondition-
a. repeal or suspension even of the law.
Sc sud It was = good one, WAS cun,titu-
.;ioz2l and ought 10 stand. His declara-
tioE created some surprise Senator Nor
rua closed the DAYS discussion by max
iuS tbe surprising statement that the Pres
id,su- would appoint no more persons to
office, except 10 MI existing vacancies.
unless the Ciyil-Tenure law was repeal
ed NJ Schurz. of Missouri, would
NOW vote against the repeal, because he
hoped th-4 rhen the subject should come
up again. Congress, having already AT.
tempted reform in the wrong direction
and failed. would go TO the root Of the
e,l and AT Least attempt true reform by
establishing = system of examination,
apIsuimHent f1r merit, and removal for
cause. thus giving responsibility and per
manence 10 the psble service. lie did
not expect 10 bring about the millennium
on act of Congress, but he did hope that
~ the next session one step AT least
would be taken ia the right direction.
With this hope be would vote to sus-
pend tie law in order 10 facilitate the
aeiioo of President Grant in removing
unworthy public officers
The Tenure-of-Otice act was passed
over the Presidents velo, in March, 1867,
and t0rbids the Executive 10 remove
civil officers, except in cases of INSIDE
meanOrs, during the recess Of Congress,
without the consent OF the Senate. 1t is
said that General Grant regards the law
o. operative upon him a. his predecessor,
and that fair Interpretation of lis pro-
visions will not allow of removal during
the session OF the Senate except for rea-
sons warranting suspension during Vaca-
ti0n-and that difference of political
sentiment is not sufficient cause for re.
moyal
1t i probable that the act will be Sis
pended for the whole or portion of his
administration, or modified SO as TO re-
leye the President of all difficulty.
1t is said that L. s. District Marshal
Clark, whose term of Office does not