The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-03-25
Congressional.
Washington, March 20.
p~>- ArN

SENATE.
The bill to repeal the tenure of Of
flee act came up.
Mr. Wicker advocated the bill.
Mr. Thayer modified his substitute
for the report from the committee on
Judiciary, and added to it proviso
that no persons rejected by the Sen.
ate in session shall be appointed to
office during the following recess. He
had offered the substitute in the said
bill in the hope of getting direct
vote upon the question Of repeal, but
since such vote could not be had at
once on the House bill, he had listen
ed in vain throughout this long de-
bate for some good reason why the
act should not be repealed, The law
had been passed solely to check the
career of Andrew johnson after hav-
ing abandoned his party, his pledge,
and forsworn his principles.
Mr.. Thayer concluded his remarks
at length.
Mr.. Drake was not in favor of the
law, but would not vote for its tenn.
porary suspension. The proposition
of the Judiciary Committee to sus-
pend the law was only way of say
ing to the President: We will try
you until tho next session of Con
gress and see what use you make of
this power; if you use it to suit us,
the repeal may stand; ifyou do not,
the law shall 60 in force again.
Mr.. Morrill, would rather modify
the act than repeal or suspend it
He claimed that the record would
show that the bill when passed had
been distinctly understood, not a
temporary choice, but as part of the
policy of the country.
Casserly made an argument to
show that the power belonged not to
the Senate alone nor to the Presi-
dent with the advice of the Senate,
but to the President, insisting that
1t was not only the constitutional
view, but the only reasonable one
The President had the power of
prompt removal, and he could not
possibly secure the faithful admins.
tration of public affairs by the doc
trines implied in the Tenure of Office
Act.
He had heard during the debate
many professions Of confidence in
Gen. Grant, and this was not surpris-
ing, but tho subject before the Sen
ate was one that ought to be consid.
cred and determined by other than
personal considerations, and his vote
would be given upon general princi.
pies without regard TO present or
possible future occupant of the White
House. He would vote for the abso.
Lutte repeal Of the law, and was glad
to be able by his vote to do some
thing toward restoring the Govern.
ment to the salutary principles upon
which it rested under the constitu-
ton.
The Vice President appointed the
following Committee on political dis.
abilities
Harlan, Howe, Ferry, Foreman
and Vickers.
Senate without action on tho bill
adjourned,
Washington, March %.
SENATE.
| Mr. Pomcroy from Committee or
Public Lands reported a bill granting
the right of way to the Midland Pa
cific RR, which with amendments
was passed.
The following officers were ther
elected: Sergeant at Arms, John Il
French of n G, Executive Clerk
John NJ Morris. of S G, Congressional
Printer, Almon M Clapp, of Buffa
10.
| Mr.. Abbott introduced resolution
relating to taking the ninth census
A bill repeating to the tenure of Office
act, was called up as unfinished bust
ness, but postponed.
a large number Of bills and over o
| Sb WIN
and referred to appropriate commit
tees, among which we're the follow
ing:
By Mr.. Winans, for the election Of
a delegate to Congress from the Dis
trict of Columbia.
| BY Mr.. Logan, to aid in the con
structlon Of an international Pacific
Railroad from Cairo, Ills, to the Rie
Grande.
Mr.. Farnsworth favored an early
adjournment of Congress.
| Mr.. Brooks favoured an early ad
journment.
| Mr.. Butler argued at length in ia.
vor ofthe resolution to recall
| SENATE.
| Washington, March 3d.
| Anthony was chosen President in
the absence of Mr.. CoIfax.