The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-09-06
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 81, 1877.


revoke his order calling an extra session
of Congress in October next are with
out foundation, as there is no intention
at present on the part of the President
to modify the proclamation. The neces-
sity seems imperative Tor Congress to
convene inasmuch as the Army and Navy
cannot be provided for until January
next. It seems an error that Congress
was not convened in May or June, be-
cause the present manner of carrying
our Army and Navy is open to grave
constitutional objections, one which our
congressional wind bags and fault find
ers will not hesitate to inject into pro-
longed debates. Again it is very doubt
full whether the President can revoke or
recall his action since it has the power
of law and was taken under an express
power given by the constitution precise
ly as the afixing of his signature of
approval to law of Congress. 1t is
settled point that he cannot Withdraw
his approval of law and that from the
moment he attaches his signature his
action is irrevocable until Congress re-
peaIs or takes other action. 1t is diff
cult to perceive the distinction between
approving law and converting Congress
by proclamation, as he has no power
whatever to undo a grave constitution
al act. While the democrats will not
oppose giving relief to the Army and
Navy, yet the manner of doing so which
the administration has assumed in the
absence of Congressional appropriation,
will provoke bitterest criticism from
them Prolongation of recess will only
give greater cause for criticism, hence
Congress should convene as called.
Mr.. Hayes has concluded to stand
upon his dignity in regard to the French
exhibition and pursue the same course
taken by Gen. Grant in refusing to give
it more than a quasi recognition. 1t
appears now that the French govern
ment officially ignored our Centennial
Exhibition, and it IS the Presidents
intention to act in precisely the same
manner in regard to the French Exhi-
bition. He has no objection to Ameri-
cans as individuals participating in this
Exhibition and showing their wares and
manufactures, but he declines to COM
NIT the government formally to it.
Hence it is very likely that he will not
recommend Congress to make an appro-
priation, and that America will appear
in Paris simply upon the enterprise and
energy of her private citizens. Gen.
Grant had strong prejudices and it is
said that he gave his consent for France
to participate, as she did in the Centen-
NAL, upon condition that a certain
French official should be excluded from
any of the public demonstrations in
which he (Grant) took part. American
manufacturers are preparing to forward
their articles and we presume Congress
will do little more than give the Ameri-
can Minister enlarged powers and as
sistants.
SOUTHERN CLAIMS.
Senator Cockrell, of Missouri has be-
come very impatient at the slow process
of settlement of war claims taken by the
Treasury Department, in regard to those
forwarded from the State of Missouri,
and now requests that competent and
trustworthy officials he sent out to in
vestigate and make such charges as
would make prompt adjustment of these
long pending claims. He is seemingly
forgetful of the fact that it is the policy
of the Treasury not to pay these or any
other war claims, hence it is extremely
probable that his suggestions will go
UNDECIDED particularly SO as Congress
has made no appropriation for the pay
ments even if the Treasury should make
| awards. So between the fact that the
| Treasury can't act and Congress won't,
Senator Cockrell's constituents are likely
to so unpaid, and little harm thereby
we presume will be DONE We are sure
that the whole people will be satisfied
should statute of limitations begin at
once to run against all war claims for at
this late date one just claim is Offset as
fraudulent as the Fort Sugy Witouski,
| of al