New-York tribune., 1877-01-09
WASHINGTON.
THE TROOPS IN WASHINGTON.

IkOoPS IN
PRESIDENT GRANT GIVES HIS REASONS FOR ORDER
ING TROOPS TO THE cAPITAL-PUBLIC PROP
ERrY TO BE GUARDED FROM POSSIBLE DANGER
THE PRESIDENT THE TRUSTEE OF THE PEOPLE
WASHINGTON THE ONLY SEAT OF GOVERNMENT
AN INAUGURATION ELSEWHERE INVALID.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuyE.i
WASHINGTON, Jan. S.-ThOse who have crit
cised the President for ordering to the District Of Co
umba few OF the troops of the United States evidently
forget how many million dollars worth Of public prop
ery there Washington, and that it the duty Of
the President that harm comes 10 1t. There
be occasion to anticipate disorder here between
and the 4th Of March, that day; but in view
Of the popular excitement which has been manifested
throughout the country and the possibility Of large gath
erings Of people in Washington, the President would
fall short OF his duty II he did not pro-
vide for any contingency that might arise 1t
be authoratvey announced that this has been one
Of the motives least which has caused the President
to order few companies OF troops to Washington and
that lie has done without consultation with the Prest-
dent Of the Senate with Republican members OF the
Senate Compromise Committee. lie considers himself,
to speak, the trustee OF the people during his term OF
office for all the public property and will resort TO any
that may be necessary TO defend it from m
tatiOn destruction by warke demonstrations, should
any be made and from occupation or possession by any
but legal authorities.
The President says he does not know what the Pres
dent Of the Senate the Republican members of the
Senate Committee Counting the Electoral Vote thlnk
about their constitutional powers in the present crisis
except their views have been published but he has
made up his mind to his duty without help from
them. To his own language: When all political
power and responsibility vested in by the surages OF
the people shall have expired by constitutional mita
ton which will the 4th day OF March, shall be
ready willingly to surrender this responsibility but I'M
I'll then shall the Office OF President and pro-
tect and defend the Constitution 1t s not my province
determine the question OF election but to execute
the laws Whoever is declared to be my constitutional
SUCCESSOR him will surrender the reins OF Govern
ment. To me is Gov. Hayes Gov. Tiden, but
who is President and whoever is so declared will be
placed in possession OF the executive power"
The President does approve Of the political demon
srtons made by the Democrats in various parts or the
country to-day. He thinks the only effect OF them will
be to unnecessarily name the public mind, already too
much excited He thinks 1t is the duty OF every patriot
to do all he aay apprehension and to subdue par
tlsan spirit. II any Of the meetings to-day have been
held purpose fostering ncpient revolution he
does think they will be countenanced by sensible
people and especially by those having interest in the
great financial business and industrial enterprises Of the
country II the demonstrations intended to over
awe those constutonay ntrustcd with the solution OF
the important questions presented in connection
with the Presidential election, they would fail.
President Grant has heard some talk, which he sup
poses has the inspiration with the meetings re-
ierred TO- Of naugurating Gov. Tlden President Of
the United States If he should not be declared con-
stitutOnaly elected. He that an inauguration
elsewhere than in Washington will be with
out effect. His reasons follows Under
the eighth section Of the first article OF the
Constitution, Congress is to exercise exclusive egsla
ton in all cases whatsoever district. not exceed
ing ten miles square, may by cession OF particular
states and Territories and the acceptance Of Congress
- tloT Init Gfatas IV
the act OF July 16, 1890, Congress accepted
district of ten miles square. and further
provided that the first Monday IN
Decen 1900 the seat OF Government OF the United
states should be transferred 10 Washington, and al
officers attached TO the seat OF Government should ac
cordingy be removed thereto by their respective hoi
ers and should after that day TO be exercised else
where The anendatOry act Of 1871 and all subsequent
legislation he said recognized the District of Column
bia and the City Of Washington as the permanent
seat Of Government, wnch could not De changed
except upon the concurrent action OF the TWO houses OF
Congress- The President said that the exercise Of Ex
ecutiye functions elsewhere than at Washington would
be strictly unc Constitutional and without force
In this connection the President referred to
the resolution OF the House Of Representatives,
last session, In which inquiry was made as
TO the official acts performed by him. and their nature
at places other than the seat Of Government The Pres
dent said that he had performed executive acts
elsewhere than at Washington that in the first six years
of his administration, during the heated terln he had
made fortnghtly visits 10 Washington, when he trans
acted all official business requiring his attention.
and during the past two years all records
and Executive acts were executed at Washington
The Presidents authority he said exercised III accord
ance with law Is as in the District OF Columbia
NJ if IL were garrsoned fortress, and any deonstrd
tons or warlile concentration of men threatening tue
peace OF the city enangerng the security OF the pun
lie property or treasure Of the Government coud
be summarily dealt with, should the puDu
safety demand, by n declaration OF martial Jaw
The President said that he could not tnlnk
that any political party would assume so grave re-
sponsibty a. "A step whcn would necessitate such an
Extreme exercise OF Executive authority for he believed
that that party would be condemned TO lasting lhIamy
bv the almost unanimous Of the people Ihe Prsi
dent said that he yet felt assured that the VIII Ol he
people would prevail and had yet confidence IN wiser
alat thant thrnats and Intimidation.