The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-05-05

cation also into the killing oi two ne.
groes and the wounding of eight Others
a: the ate election at indianapolis.
Mr.. Townsend, of New Work, re-
marked amidst much uprosr, that the
Republicans carried the election and the
Democrats killed the negroes.
Mr.. McDougal declined to yield fol
Mr.. Beebe's amendment.
Mr.. McDougaPs resolution was adopt
ed. and the House adjourned.
Presidents Message-He Declines "a
| Respond.
WAsHINGToN, May 4.-The President
to-day, sent the following message to the
House, in reply to Representative Black
burns resolution: E
10 the House of Representatives:
l have given very attentive considera-
tion to the resolution Of the House OF
Representatives, passed on the 3rd OF
April, requesting the President Of the
United States to inform the House
whether any executive offices, acts
or duties, and if sny, what
have, within q specified period,
been performed at a distance from the
seat of government established by law,
etc. l have never hesitated and shall
not hesitate TO communicate TO Congress
ard to either branch thereof all informa-
ton which the Constitution makes il the
duty of the President TO give or which
my judgment may suggest TO me. or q
request from either House may indicate
to me what will be useful in the dis.
charge of its proper duties, contided to
them. l fail, however, 10 find
in the Constitution of the United States
the authority given to the House of Rep
resentatives Zone branch OF Congress in
which is vested the legislative power Of
the government) to inquire of the Exec
utive ian independent brahch OF the
government, coordinate with the
Senate and House Of Representatives
an account of his discharge of his appro-
pirate and partly executive office acts
and duties, either rs to when, where or
how performed. What the House of
Representatives may require as right
in its demand upon the Executive for in
formation, is limited to what is necessary
for the proper discharge of its powers
of legislation or of Impeachment.
The inquiry in the resolution ofthe House
Ms TO where executlNe acts have
within the last seven years been perform
ed and nj VI hat distance from any parti
cuar spot or for how long period Mt
any one time. etc, does not necessarily
belong to the province OF legislation. 1t
does not profess to be asked tor that OBJ
iect. Iftbis information be sought through
an inquiry of the President us TO his ex-
ecutiye acts in view or iL aid of .he pow
er of Impeachment vested in the House.
il is asked in derrogartalion Of An inner
ent natural right recognized IN the
United States by a constitutional guar
antee which protects every citl en-, the
President, MS well as the hum
blest in the land from being
made a witness against myself.
During the time | hav" had the honor
10 occupy the position OF President of this
government it has been, and while / con-
tinue to occupy that position 1t Will con-
tinue to be- my earnest endeavor 10 re-
cognize and TO respect the several duties
and powers of the coordinate branches
of the government not encroaching
upon them, nor allowing encroschments
upon the proper powers Of the office
which the people of the United States
have cunfided 10 me, but aiming to pre-
serve in their proper relations the several
novel and functions of eacn OF the co
ordinate branches of the government
agreeaby to the constitution
and in accordance with the solemn oath
which ! have taken N preserve and pro-
tect that instrument In the maintain
snce of the rlgnl. secured by the Consti.
tuition TO the executive b:snch OF the gov
ernment, am compelled to decline any
specified or detailed an wer 10 the re-
Quest of the House Tor Information n
In any executive officers acts
or duties, and If any what have, been
performed ut distapce from the seat
OF the Government established by law,
and tor how long n period At any one
time, and in what part OF the United
states? II, however, the House OF kep-
resent4 4tives desite 10 know whether dur
ing a period of upwards Of years, dur
ing which | have held office OF Prcsidedt
of the United States, / have been ab-
sent from the seat OF government, and
whether during that period / have per
formed. nr neg ccted 10 perform the du-
ties O.! my Office ] freely INFORM the
House, tha: from the time o! my en-
trance upon my otlce L
have been in the habit, as were all OF
nv predecessors, with the exception oil
one who lived only one month siter as
suming the duties OF his office, and one
whose continued presence IN Washing
ton was necessary RON the existence st
the unc of powerful rebsilI01b Of SD
senting myself a. times from the .est OF
Government, and that during such 40
sepces. | did not neglect the foregoing
allegations or duties Of my ofhce,
bot continued to dEcharge all OF The
executives Offices, acts and duties winch
devolved upon me ~ President o: Tie
United States. [Applause On the Re-
publican side am not aware that
failure has occurred IN any one instance
of nv exercising the functions aud pow
ers OF nv office. In every case requir-
ing their discharge or oi my exercising
ali necessary executive sris IN whatever
oart Of the United Sts'es may ~ the
time have been, fortunately raP'dity OF
travel and OF mail communication ard q
facility OF almcs; instsntaneOus cores
nondence With officers nj the
sea, Of government which telegraph
affords TO the President IN whsteVef sec
ton Of the United States he may b.,
enables him IN these dsys 10 MAINTAIN a.
constant aud almost ~ quick intercourse
with the departments al Wshibgton -
NAV be maintained while he r'nsihs
in The ci,y. Necessity Of ihs Perfyrmsnce
Of executive scis By the President exist,
and i. devolTed on BIN wherever be msy
b. within the United states during the
term o, ofsce by the Constita;ion Of ths
United States Ii. civil powers are
more limited or capable o. limitation a'
20 the place where they shall B. eIer-
c,.ed ,hsn are those which be might te
required 10 discharge IN be capacity oi
oonrnsuder in CHE; oi the
.rmy and nsyy, which, latter
pouer.. it il evident be might