The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1869-03-25
Tenure eofCivil-Ofices Act.

Notwithstanding the supposed desire of the
President for its repeal, because of the hedge
which it interposes between that functionary
and those whose positions in the Government
make him responsible for their acts, though he
is shorn by the operations of the law of direct
power over them, large number of Senators
possibly enough to defeat repeal-invariably
set their faces against anything more than
postponement.
1t is contendcd by many, that the act has
had its day and uses, and that, hence, 1t should
be repealed. We incline to this opinion. To
prevent a bold bad man from filling the Offices
with men of his own kidney-inimical to the
best interests of the government and the peo-
ple-the law became necessity, and was adop
ted. And the action of Congress was most tri
umphantly sustained by the masses, because Of
their utter lack of confidence in the treacher
ous dolt who occupied the Presidential chair.
Everybody then felt, as everybody now feels
that the President should be the head of respon-
sibility in the government but everybody did
not feel that the kind of responsibility which
the then Presidential incumbent was so anx-
ious TO assume was exactly the kind which
meant good and not evil On the contrary, it
was as plain as the light of day, that a J,
yearncd for the power and privilege of assum-
ing such responsibility as looked to revolution
for its aliment, and to rebels, copperhcads as
contradstinguished from true democrats, and
lecherous partizans of the bread and butter per-
suason as his advisers and assistants in the con-
summation of his wickedness. But the day of
these things have gone by. A. J. has retired
forever, 10 rest and reyel in his disgrace in
Tennessee, and we cannot bat look upon ii
that the news of the unconditional repeal of
the Tenure-of Civil-Oflces act, will be hailed
as 4 fite-de,joie, from one end of the Union to
the other fred over the departure of rs ar
rant knaveas was ever permitted to leave an
exalted position unhung.
But there is more than this in favor of the re-
peal of the act, passed to punish bad man and
prevent him from inflicting an injury on the
country. To permit it to stand as check upon
President Grant would, in view of the circum-
stances surrounding its passage, be to reflect an
insinuation against his integrity and against the
propriety Of placing that unlimited confidence
in the President which the past shows him to
be so richly deserving of To postpone it for
the present would not mend the matter, while
to modify its provisions might, and doubtless
would, only lead to complications which would
throw more embarrassments in the way of a de-
slrable administration of the Government than
the law in its present shape. The office and its
responsibilities sought out General Grant be-
cause of his stern integrity and undisputed fit
ness, and literally fastened upon him without
his consent. To be held to strict account for
the manner in which he meets those responsi-
sibilitics is what he demands, but would it be
Just to meet the demand after he is left with
hands tied against interference with those who
should be responsible 10 him in subordinate
capacity? Grave Senators may find it easy to
talk and vote when acting independent and
without restraint; but for the President to keep
officials honest and the wheels of government
running smoothly, with the clogs of law, ofI
questionable propriety to say the least, thrown
in the way, is an impossibility which should
hardly be looked for.
In the overwhelming majority which con-
ferred upon Gen. Grant the Office of President |
with all is responsibilities, we think can be |
found the easiest solution of this question OF re-
peal. Unlimited confidence on the part of the |
great mass of the true friends of the Union |
North, South, East and West, = should be
met with corresponding confidence on the
part of Senators, which should be exhibited in
their votes.