The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-05-05
BY TELEGRAPH
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
He Declines to Inform the House
what Official Acts have been per-
formed away from Washington.

report;
70 'bc House of Representatives.
have given very attentive consideration to
the resolution Of the house of representa-
tiyes passed on the third day of April, re-
questing the president of the United States
TO inform the house whether any executive
official acts or duties, and if any, what,
have within . specified period been per-
formed at the defiance from the seat of
government established by law, etc.
| have never hesitatod, and shall not hes
itate to communicate to congress, and TO
either branch thereot,al Information which
the constitution mskes it the duty of the
president to give, or which my judgment
may suggest to me, or a request from
either house may indicate to me will be
useful in the discharge Of appropriate du-
ties confded to them. fail, however, to
lud in the constitution of the United
States authority given 10 the house Of re-
personal---very. brancc'of the congress
in which IS vested the legislative power of
the govcrnment-to require Of the e1ecu-
tive-sn independent branch Of govern
ment, coordinate with the senate and
house of epresentativcs-an account OF bis
discharge of his appropriate and partly ex-
ecutive offices, acts and duties, either as
to wheH, where or how performed. What
the house of representatives may require
rs right in its demand upon the executive
for information is limited to what is neces-
sary for the proper discharge Of its powers
quiry ia 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, or for
how loug a period at any one time, etc.,
does not necessarily belong to the province
of the legislature 1t does not profess to
be asked for that object. IL this informa-
lion be sought through an inquiry of the
president rs to his executive acts in view
or III aid Of The power of impeachment
vested in the house, it is asked in deroga-
ton OF an Inherent natural RICH; recognized
in this country by the constitutional guar
antecs which protect every citizen, the
president as well 40 the humblest in the
lad, from being made witness against
him.
During tho time that | have had the
honor to occupy the position of president
OF this government 1t has been, and while
| continue TO occupy that position it will
continue TO be-, my earnest endenvor to rec
ognise and to respect the several trusts and
duties and powers Of the coordinate
branches of the government; not encroach-
ing upon them nor allowing Entertainments
upon the proper powers Of Office which the
people of the United States have copfided
TO me, but aiming TO preserve in their
proper relations the several powers and
functions Of each OF the coordinate
branches Of the government, agreeabiy to
the constitution and in accordance with the
solemn oath which have taken TO ''pre-
serve. protec: and defend" that instrument.
In the maintenance of the right secured by
tue constitution to the executive branch of
government.
/ am compelled to decline SPY specific or
dctailed answer TO the request of the house
for information as 10 ''e,y executive Of
fees, acts or duties, and if any what, have
been performed at distance from the seat
Of government established by law, and for
how long period u; any one time and in
what part Of the United States II, how
ever, the house Of representatives desires 10
know whether during tue period of up
wards Of seven years during which l have
held the Office of president of the United
State, have been absent from the seat OF
governments and whether during that period
have performed OF have neglected to per.
form the dute, of my office, | freely in.
form the house that from the time of my
entrance upon my Office have been in the
habit, as were all my predecessors-with
the exception Of one who lived one month
after assuming the duties of his office,
and one whose continuous presence in
Washington waa necessary from the exist
ence ct the time Of rebellion-of absentipg
myself ct times from the seat of govern
ment and tina! during such absences did
not neglect or forcGo the obligations OF
duties of my office, but continued to dis
charge all Of the executive offices, acts and
duties which were required of me as pres.
ident of the United States. am not aware
that a failure occurred in any one instance
of my exercising the functions and powers
Of my office, in every case requiring theiI
discharge, OF of my exercising all necessary
executive acts IN whatever part of the
| United States may at the time have been
| Fortunately the rapidly of travel and oil
mail communication, and the facility Of
| almost instantaneous correspondence with
the offices at the seat OF government which
the telegraph affords to the president In
| whatever section of the Union he may be
enable him in theee days to maintain az
constant and almost as quick intercourse
with the departments at Washington al
may be maintained while be remains in tn
capitol.
The necessity Of the perforcc Of eIecu
tive acts by the president OF the Unitet
States exists aud is devolved upon hin
wherever he may be within the United
States during bis term of office. BY the
constitution of the United States his civi
powers are no moro limited or capable OF
Limitation as to the place where they shall
be exercised than are those which he might
be required to discharge In his capacity Of
commander-in-chief of the army and navy
which latter powers it ia evident he nigh,
be called upon TO exercise, possibly ever
without the limits of the United States
Had the efforts of those recently in rebel