The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-02-27
TENURE-OF-OFFICE Law.

Nearly two years ago, the Radical ma
nority in Congress passed an act known
as the tenure-of- office bill, under the pro-
visions Of which the President is deprived
of the power Of removing anybody from
Office, from any cause whatever, without
the consent Of the Senate first having
been obtained. In other words, there can
be no removals from or appointments to
Office made when the Senate is not in ses-
sion, and not when that body Is in session,
unless by its consent. It was under the
operation of this law that Stanton was
kept in the cabinet, while the President
and ether members of the cabinet would
have no Intercourse, officially or person
ally, with him. In thus forcing Stanton
npon President johnson and his cabiuet,
Grant was the supple and willing tool Of
the Senate, going so far as to dishonor
himself by his treachery to oil concerned
--trcachery to the Senate, in becoming
the voluntary tool Of President johnson
to assist in oustiDg Stanton, treachery to
the President in using the power he had
solicited from him for tho purpose Of
keeping Stanton in, and treachery TO the
cabinet in trying force upon them the as-.
socation Of man whom he made them
believe he despised. On the part Of Grant,
it was trcachcry all round. If he did an
honorable thing, from the beginning to
the end of that affair, it has not yet been
made to appear. But it is said now that
Grant desires, and even demands the re-
peal Of this Radical measure--this tenure.
of Office law. He'demands its repeal, be-
cause he wants to make changes in the
cabinet, and in other Offices, and doesn't
want to be compelled to consult the SEN
ate every hour in the day upon the sub.
ject-in other words, he wants the privi.
lege of making removals and appointments
whenever he believes the public interests
will be promoted thereby. A year ago,
he thought this law decidedly a good
thing. Now he thinks otherwise. lie
is right now, and was wrong then. In
pursuance OF his demand, the radicals in
the lower House Of congress have repealed
the law. The Democrats all voted for its
repeal, just as they all voted, two years
ago, against It's passage. They were op.
posed TO it then, and are opposed TO il noac.
About half Of the radical members of the
House voted with tho democrats, in favor
Of the repeal oil the law. Those of the
radicals wdo voted for It's repeal, stulti.
fed themselves, Of course. having two
years ago voted for it, passage. 1t is uu-
dcrslood that the radicals who voted for
It's repeal arc all the friends and supper
tcrs-wa mean unconditional supporters
that Grant has IN the lower branch Of
congress. ThSy number more than one.
half Of the radical members Of that branch
Of the national legislature. Those who
voted against the repeal Of the tenure-of-
Office lag are believed not to be the
! friends Of Grant-~that is. not his friends
TO the extent tha. they will trust him any
further than they would Andy johnson
When the bin goes 20 tho Senate, it will
| find aboht the same state Of things in tha,
body also. Il will fibd its supporters %
b. democrats, who originally voted against
the passage of tho tenure oi-office bill and
will now vote for its repeal, while it will
find the radicals divided. Radical Sena-
tors who have determined to support
Grant uncon1itionally, will vote for the b !
to repeal the tenure.of. Office law, while
radical Senators who distrust Grant-thai
is, are not willing 10 trust him any fur.
thcr than they would Andy Johnson
will vote against its repeal. Thus even
before Grant is inaugurated, nearly one
| half Of the radicals 10 congress commit
| themselves against him. The future con.
sequences of this division in the radica
ranks can not, at this time, be fully fore
seen. 1t is not at all likely that Grant
wilt yield, aud yet, it is just as likely, and
no more SO. that the radical members oi
congress who have thus In advance taken
open ground against him, will not yield tc
Grant. So, the war of the roses--nC
doubt rose BY any other name would
70 sc the same stink in the radical camp
may be regarded as fairly begun II
all this matter, however, Grant has showr
himself very small Galena potato. Hc
was in favor of the tenure OF. Office law ;
year ago. lie is now against it. Now
the principle of the law is either right OF
wrong. If it was right year ago, it il
right to-day. If it was right that its prin
oiple should be brought to bear ppor
President johnson, it is right that i
should be brought to bear upon Presiden
Grant. If it was wrong in principle {
year ago, then Grant was wrong in sus
tanning it. In any light that you view it
Grant has shown himself to be small po
tato in his course upon it.-Quincy ILL.,.
| Uo~aJJ