Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1875-08-04
MR.. GRANTS PROLONGED AB-
lSENCE

1t seems almost cruel TO break in
upon the Prcsident's summer retire
ment at Long Branch with any infor-
nation calculated TO disturb that gen
tleman's equanimity Of mind, and our
regard for his reputation and official
welfare must be our only excuse. We
would not for moment deprive him
OF any of those pure delights which we
are informed he obtains from the con-
temptation of the boundless main. II
is right and proper TINT after sacrific-
ing himself to the arduous duties OF bis
office for seven or eight months of the
year, he should be permitted to obtain
whatever intellectual and physical rest
his system require, and so long rs he
is content to sec the great blue ocean
roll on the whole summer long, with
out worrying over the tide which may
be rolling on in the affairs Of the ma
ton, there is no reaeeii why we should
grudge him that happiness. Rather,
indeed, would we be willing to have
Ulysses, like Achilles, walk forever by
the shores of the loudsounding sea, and
see the sad placard "to LETT hung up
over the door Of the deserted White
House. But while we wish the Prcsi-
dent all this happiness, with the most
cordial good feeling we aie constrained
to remind him that there is an obstacle
in the way of his enjoying it with alb
solnte freedom The obstacle, we re-
gret TO say, is the law, and the law, we
also regret TO say, is no respecter of
persons. Now the law-we do not
deny that it is a very wicked law, and
that the President should long ago
have ordered its rcpeal--provides that
"all offices attached TO the seat of gov
ernmcnt shall be exercised in the Dis
trict of Columbia, and not elsewhere,
except as otherwise expressly provided
by law" And by an act passed so
long ago as the 25th OF february, 1899,
the only exception TO this limitation is
named as that Of "the prevalence of a
contagious or epidcmicaI disease at the
seat Of government" when the Presl-
dent is at liberty to remove himself
and his offices out of danger. IT is
clear, therefore, that Mr.. Grants au-
thorty, as President, becomes inopera-
tive the moment he leaves the District
of Columbia, and that be has no moro
right to sign bill or transact any
public business whatever Mt his Long
Branch residence. than George Handy
Smith has to proclaim war against the
Hottentots. Absolutely and without
power under tho law. 10 exercise any
of the functions of his Office while that
office is located in Washington and here
sides AT the seaside, Thofactis brought
more prominently TO our notice by dis
patches from the capital stating that
the President has signed this or that
order and made this or that appoint.
mont when everybody knows that he
has not been in Washington for fort.
night. and therefore could not legally
order or sign ANYTHING. pertaining to
the administration Of the government.
Now we do not believe that the
President is violating the law inten-
tionally, and, indeed, he may be so
taken up with his studies of the great
English masters oforatory and rhetoric.
or with the examination of General
Shcrman'sromains-beg pardon, "mcm-
oirs"-as to have had no time to cx-
anime the law relating to this matter.
And if this be not the case and he be
really aware of the statute against alb
senteeism, may we not suppose that he
holds himself legally justified by the
act which provides against epidemics
in Washington, and which he may be