The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-11
Discomfltted Ennuirers.

fSoiiieIiHic ago DldckDurHs OIL A2ILuCR13
one OF the ranting kind of democratic rural
Statesmen from Kentucky, introduced reso-
luton in Congress, asking for certain informa-
ton OF the President. Although its inpudence
was transparent, yet the democratic Congress
passedt. On the 4th inst. the President
be received by the country as the most courte-
Gus and effective rebuke ever received by leg
islative body, that had exposed its own igno-
rance and transacted its proper functions:
To THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,:
I have given very attentive consideration to res
oution OF the House of Representatives. passed on
United States to inform the House whether any Ex-
ecutive Offices acts or duties; and, il any, what
ber within specified period have been performed at
distance from the seat OF Government, established
communicate to Congress, am either branch there
Of all the information which the Constitution makes
it the duty of the President to furnish which my
Judgment may suggest to me proper, request
either House may indicate to will be useful i'll
the discharge OF the appropriate duties confded to
them zail however, to find in the Constitution of
the United States the authority given to the House
which is vested the legislative power of the Govern
ment to require the Executive-an independent
Senate and House of Representatives, to give ac-
count of the discharge of his appropriate and eX-
ecutive Offices acts and duties, whether as to when,
where 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 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
particular spot, for how long period at any one
time, &c. does necessarily belong the province
of legislation 1t does not profess to be asked for
that object. If this information be sought through
inquiry of the President to his executive acts
in view OF in aid Of the power of impeachment, vest
ed in the House, it is asked in derogation Of an
herent natural right recognized in this country by
constitutional guarantee which protects every citi
zen, the President we'll as the humblest in the
land, from being made a witness against himself.
During the time that have had the honor to oc-
cupy the position of President of this Government
it has been, and while continue to occupy that po.
slton it Will continue to be- my earnest endeavor to
ties and powers of the coordinate branches of the
government, not to encroach upon them allow
Ing entertainments upon the proper powers of the
office which the people of the United States have
con1ded to me- but aiming to preserve in their prop
er relations the several powers and functions OF each
agreeaby to the Constitution, and in accordance
with the solemn oath which have taken to pre-
serve protect and defend that instrument
In maintenance of the rights secured by the Con-
stitution to the executive branch of the Govern
ment, am compelled to decline any specific or de-
tailed answers to the request of the House for infor
nation as to ANY executive Offices acts duties,
and II any, what have been performed at distance
from the seat OF Government, established by law,
and for how long period at any time, and in
II however, the House OF Representatives desires
to know whether during the period of upwards OF
President of the United States, have been absent
from the seat of Government, and whether during
that period have performed or have neglected to
perform the duties If my office, freely Inform the
House that from the time of my entrance upon my
Office have beon i'll the habit, as all my pre-
decessors, 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 rebellionl of absenting myself at times
from the sect OF government, and that during such
absences did not neglect forego the obligations
the duties of my Office, bat continued to discharge
were required Of me President of the United
States am not aware that failure occurred in
and powers OF my office in every case requiring their
discharge, or OF my exercising all necessary execu-
tive acts in whatever part OF the United States may
at the time have been.
Fortunately the rapidly Of travel and OF mail
mnuncatlon and the facility OF almost instanta-
neous correspondence with the officers at the seat
of Government which the telegraph affords to the
be, enable him in these days to maintain as constant
and almost as quick intercourse with the depart
mentS at Washington may be maintained, while he
remains in the capital.
The necessity OF the performance OF the execu
tive acts by the President of the United States rests
and is deyolved upon him, wherever he may be
within the United States during his term of Office
by the Constitution OF the United States.
His civil powers no more limited or capable OF
limitation as to the place where they Shall be exer
discharge III his capacity OF COMMANDMENTS Chief OF
the Army and Navy, which latter powers, it is evil
Qeul, ne might De CalleG upon TO exercise, possibly
even without the limits OF the United States Had
the efforts of those recently in rebellion against the
Government been successful in driving late Presi-
dent of the United States from WASHINGTON, it is
manifest that he must haVe discharged his func-
tions, both civil and military elsewhere than in the
place named by law as the seat OF Government
No actof Congress can limit, suspend, or confine
this constitutional duty. am not aware Of the ey-
istence OF any act OF Congress- which assumes thus
to limit or restrict the exercise OF the functions OF
the Executive. Were there such acts should new
crtheless recognize tie superior authority of the
Con stitution, and should exercise the powers re-
CURED thereby Of the President.
4lHhe act to which reference is made the PesOlu-
ton OF the House relates to the establishment of
the scat OF Government and the providing OF suita-
bic buildings and removal thereto of the Offices at
tached to the Government, &C. 1t was not under
stood at its date, and by General WASHINGTON, to
conine the President in the discharge of his duties
and powers to actual presence at the seat Govern
ment On the 30th of March, 179l shortly after the
passage of the act referred to, General Washington
issued Executive Proclamation having reference
to the subject OF this very act from Georgetown,
place remote from Philadelphia, which was then the
seat OF Government where the act referred to- di-
racted that a Offices attached to the seat of Gov
ernment should for the time remain.
That none OF his successors have entertained the
only at the Seat of Government is evidenced by the
hundreds upon hundreds of such acts performed by
my predecessors, in unbroken line, from Washing
ton to Lincoln, q memorandum of the general IA
nature and character OF some of which acts is sub
m1tted herewith; and no question has ever been
raised as to the validity of those acts, to the
right and proprety OF the Executive exercise the
powers OF his office in any part OF the United
States
A