The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-03-16
Message No. One.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, Ma

fAohlNOIOi, W AZ III III W
The following message was received
from the President:
ITO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES ::
"Sincc the nomination and contrma-
ton of Alexander L. Stewart to the
office of Secretary Of the Treasury, |
find that the eighth section Of the act of
Congress, approved September 2, 1889,
provides as follows, to-wit:
"And be ii Hfurther enacted, That no
person appointed to any Office instituted
by this act shall, directly or indirectly,
be concerned or interested in carrying
on the business or trade OF commerce,
OF as owner in whole or part of any
sea vessel; or purchase by himself, or
by another in trust for him, any public
lands Or other public property, or be
concerned in the purchase or disposal
Of any public securities of any State or
of the United States; or take or gain
any compensation for negotiating or
transacting any business in the said de-
partment, other than shall be allow
ed by law. And if any person shall Of
fend against any Of the prohibitions OF
this act he shall be deemed guilty OF
a high misdemeanor, and forfeit to the
United States the penalty of three thou
sand dollars; and shall, upon conviction
be removed from office and forever
thereafter be Incapable Of holding any
Office under the United States.
provided, that if any other person
than public prosecutor shall give in
formation of any such offense upon
which Il prosecution and conviction
shall be had, one-half of the aforesaid
penalty of three thousand dollars, when
recovered, shall be for the use of the
person giving such information"
In view Of these provisions and the
fact that Mr.. Stewart has been unani-
mously confirmed by the Senate, l would
ask that he be exempted by joint reso,
luton of the two Houses of Congress
from the operation of the same.
[Signed U. S GRANT.
Washington, d. c., March 6.
Mr.. Sherman asked leave to Introduce
a bill.
Vice -Presidcnt-The first question is
what disposition shall be made Of the
Presidents message?
Mr.. Sumner moved that it be laid Oh
the table and printed. Agreed to.
Mr.. Sherman then introduced the fol
lowing bill, and asked its immediate con
sideration: :.
"Be it enacted, &c, that so much o.
the act approved September ., 1889 en-
titled IAN act to establish a Treasury De
partment, as prohibits the Secretary o
the Treasury from being concerned or in
terested in carrying on the business OF
trade or commerce, be, and the same i:
hereby repealed; but in no case shall th'
Secretary act on any matter, claim or &C
count in which he is personally interested
The Vice -President-Is there any oh
lection to considering the bill at thi
time?
Mr.. Sumner-I object. I think tha
it ought to be most profoundly consid
cred.
The Vice -President-The bill is no
before the Senate. The Chair will la,
before the Senate the resolutions laiC
over yesterday in their order.
A careful canvass of the Senate anC
House revealed the fact that bill t.
exempt STEWART could not be go
through. Thereupon STEWART declined
the position and GRANT sent in
MESSAGE NO. TWO.
The following message was sent b.
the President to-day tc the Senate o
the United States:
''I have the honor to request to b
permitted to withdraw from the Senat
of the United States my message of tn
9th instant, requesting the passage o
a joint resolution by the two houses o
Congress to relieve the Secretary of th
Treasury flom the disabilities impose,
by section of the act of Congress ap
proved September I'd, 1889.
i TSigned U. S. GRANT.
Washington, March 8.