Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-05-11
MESSAGE Of TIE PRESIDENT.

MESSAGE OF TIE PRESIDENT.
WASHINGTON. May 4.-The President
to-day sent the following message t.
the House in reply to Representative
Blackburn's resolution:
7oxhe House of Representatives. I
have given very attentive considera-
ton to resolution Of the House Of
Representatives, passed on the third
day of April, requesting the President
of the United States to inform the
House whether any executive offices,
acts OF duties, and if any, what have
within a specified period been perform
ed at distance from the seat of governs
ment established by law, &c.I have
never hesitatcd, and shall not hesitate,
to communicate to Congress, and to
either branch thereof, all the Informs
ton which the constitution makes it
the duty of the President to give, or
which my judgment may suggest 10
me or request from either house may
indicate to me will be useful in the
discharge of the appropriate duties
confided to them. / fail, however, to
find in the constitution of the United
States the authority given to the
House OF Representatives Zone branch
of the Congress in which is vested the
legislative power Of the government
to require of the executive, an indepen-
dent branch of the government, cosor
dinate with the Senate and House OF
Representatives, an account OF bis
discharge of his appropriate and partly
executive offices, acts and dnties either
as to when, where or how performed.
What the House of Representatives
may require as a right in its demand
upon the executive for information is
limited to what is necessary for the
proper discharge ofits powers OF legis-
lation or of impeachment. The inquiry
in the resolution Of the House as to
where executive acts have within the
last seven years been performed, and at
what distance from any partlc liar
spot or for how long period at any
one time, &c, does not necessarily
belong to the province of legislation ];
it does not profess to be asked for that
object. If this information be sought
through an inquiry of the President as
to his executive acts in view or IN AID
of the power of impeachment vested in
the House, it is asked in derogation OF
an Inherent natural right recognized IN
this country by constitutional guaran-
tee which protects every citizen in the
land from being made witness against
himself. 81
During the time that have had the
honor to occupy the position OF Presl-
dent of this government 1t has oeen,
and while I continue to occupy that
position, it will continue to be my ear
nest endeavor to recognize and to re-
spect the several trusts and duties and
powers of the coordinate branches Of
the government, not encroachlng upon
them nor allowing entertainments upon
the proper powers of the office which
the people of the United States have
conGded TO me, but aiming to preserve
in their proper relations the several
powers and functions OF each OF the
coordinate branches of the govern
ment agreeably to the constitution andln
accordance with the solemn oath which
l have taken tos'preserve,n rotect and de
fend," that instrument. In maintenance
of rights secured by the constitution to
the executive branch Of the government
1 am compelled to decline any specific
or detailed answer to the request OF the
House for information as to 'any exee'
utive offices, acts or duties, and if any
what have been performed at distance
from the seat of government established
by law and tor how long a period at
any one, and in what part Of the United
States"
If, however, the House of Represen,
tatiyes desire to know whether during
the period of upwards of seven years
during which l have held the office OF
President of the United States have
been absent from the seat of govern
ment. and whether during that period
I have performed or have neglected to
perform the duties Of my Office, freely
inform the House that from the time of
my entrance upon my Office I have
been in the habit, as were all of my
predecessors, with the exception Of
one, who lived only one month after
assuming the duties Of his Office, and
one whose continued presence in
Washington was necessary from the
existence at the time of powerful
rebellion,) of absenting myself at times
from the seat of government, and that
during such absences I did not neglect
or forego the obligations or duties of
my office, but continued to discharge
ali of executive offices, acts and duties
which were required of me as President
Of the United States. Applause from
the republican side.
/ am not aware that failure occur.
red in any one instance Of nv exercis-
ing functions and powers Of nv office
in every case requiring their discharge,
or OF my exercising all NECESSARY OK
ecutlve acts in whatever part of the
United States may at the time have
been fortunately the rapidity Of travel
and of mail communication. and the
facility Of almost instantaneous CORES
pondence with omcers at the seat Of
government, which the telegraph
affords to the President in whatever
section Of the Union he may be, enable
him in these days to maintain as con-
slant and almost as Quick intercourse
with the departments at Washington al
may be maintained while be remains in
the capital.
The necessity Of the perfor nance Of
executive acts by the President Of the
United States exists and is devolved
upon him wherever he may be within
the United States during his term of