Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-05-10
President Grant Sends a Message to
10 the House.
WAspINGroN. MAY a

eAusc biacKourhs resoiu1ioh'
To me Home Of Representatives, have given
very attentive consideration to the resolution 81
the House Of Representatives, passed on the Sd
Of April requesting the President OF the Cnifed
States to inform the House whether any Execn-
tive Offices &C 3, or duties. and II any what have
within specified period been performed AZ dls-
lance from the seat OF Government established ny
law" etc. have never hcsitsted, and shall not
hcaitaic. to communicate to Congress, and 10
either branch thereof all information when the
Constitution makes II the duty OF the Presi-
dent TO give, or which my Judgment may sug-
gcst to me, or n request from either House may In.
-dicate to me may be nsefpi IN tne aiseharge o.
however, 10 find In the Constitution i the United
states the authority given 10 the House Of hep
rcscnta'ives Zone branch OF Congress In which IA
vested the Legislative power OF The GovernmcnD
10 require Of the Executive, an Independent
branch OF the Government CO ordinate with the
senate and House OF Representatives, an nc.
Count Of his discharge OF ms appropriate ana
purely Executive Offices, acts and duties. ther ~
to when, where. or how performed. what the
Hoase OF Rcpresentatives may require, as a right,
IN i:s demand upon the Executive Tor intorma-
ton. IL limited to what's necessary for the proper
discharge Of It's powers Of legislation or OF I'M
pcschment.
The inquiry in the resolution OF The House as 10
where the Executive acts, within the last seven
YEAR, have been performed, and al what distance
from any particular spot, or for how long period
at any one time. etc, does not necessarily belong
60 the province OF legislation IL does not profess
to be asked for that object. nttts information
be sought through nm inquiry OF the ffesldent a.
10 his Executive acts in view or In ard OF the
powc, Of impcachnent vested Ia inc house' ~
recognized in this country by constitutional
guarantee which protects every ciiizcn-the
President ~ well an the humbie-t IN me land
from beiig made n witness against himself
During the time that have had the honor to
occupy the position OF President OF THIS 6overn-
mcDt, n has been. and while continue To occu-
py that position 1t wii continue 70 DC, ny eaInes,
nd tn
trusis and duties and powers OF the co ordinate
branches OF the Government not ehcroachihR
upon them. nor allowing encioae hmen's upon the
proper powers or the once Wnich tue PeoPG VI
the United States have conhded 70 me, bnt aim
Ing to preserve In their proper felttiohs tne sev-
efs' powers and functions OF cheh OF the cooiul-
nate branches Of the government agreeaDly 70 the
'Constits lion. and In accordance with the solemn
oath which ] have taken 10 preserve protect
and defend that instrument In maintenance
of the rights secured by the Gonsptuten
10 the Executive branch OF the Govcrn-
mcnt, aps compelled ~ decline any rpecihc or
detailed answer to me ieqhest Vi tae mousse ior
Information ~ 10 "any Executive oihces, acts or
.dutiee, aud, " any, what have been performed at
a distance from the seat of Government esme-
.ished by law, and for how long a period at any
one time and In what part OF the United States
II, however, the House OF Representatives de-
srca to know whether, during the period OF up
wards of seven years during winch nave held
tho office az President OF the nitcd states have
been absent from the seat o, government. ana
whether during that period ] have performed,
or have neglected to perform, The duties
Of my of,ice, ! freely inform the House
Chat from the time OF my entrance
upon my Office | 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
pr e.e nee In Wasb!n Aton was necessary nom tho
existence at ...e time of Il powerful rebellion. of
ahscnting myseli nj times from the seat OF Toy
eminent, nnu that during such absences tia not
neglect or forego the obligations or duties of my
IN l,nt nod ~
Executive Offices acts aud duties which were re-
ouired Of me m President OF the United States,
l am not aware that u failure occurred
in any one instance of my exercising the
functions and powers OF my Office In every
Gaze requiring their discharge, or of my cSercis
ing ali The necessary Executive act- In whatever
mart OF the United States may NJ the time have
been Fortunately, rapidity Of travel and of mail
commu nic alton, and the facility OF almost IN
rtsntaneous CORES pondcncc with onicer' Al the
rcat OF Government which the telegraph affords
20 the President In whatever section OF the
Union he may be, e. able him in these days To
maintain ms constant and almost rs quick inter
course with the Departments ut Washington
ns may be maintained while he remains Ia The
CAPITAL.
The necessity of the performance OF Executive
ar,s by the President of the United states exists
aud IL deyoved upon him wherever he may be
within the United States. during his term OF office,
by the Constitution ofthe United States, HIS civil
powers nre no more limited or capable Of limita.
iion as tn the place where they shall be exercised
than are tho.r which he might be required TO dis
charge in hi capacity of COMMUNICATIVE Chief OF
she wvmy and navy. which latter powers IL Is cyl.
dlssst ,~ might be called upon tnexerci-e possibly
rvcu without the limits OF the United States, Had
the efforts of those recently in rebellion against
the Government been successful Ia driving
la,e pre.iden, OF the United States from Wash
inrton, II is manifest that he must have dis.
CHARGED hi. .nnction. both civil and military,
elsewhere than In the place named by law ~ tho
~, w Nu' i''', ~ Cnn.,,tr,iruot am
am, ma, a,,,,. az thn rxist,nc, Of any aet az Con.
,,.rs. which assumes thns to limit %. restrict the
cxerci-c " the functions of the Executive. We're
there sueh acts, should nevertheless recognize
the superior authority OF the Cohstlluuon anu
should escrcnse ,he od 'p u,
~, ~ House r,,atn. Ia m, c.ranlish
'n,,nt nT a seat ~ Government and the no
h,{din.. AID m, rpp,nNal tbaretn All