Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-10-26

MS rOLIn TO HAVE No POLICY.

his Foley TO HAVE No POLICY.
Mr.. Norshun-. Dispatch to New York Herald
The Administration is trying policy
which has at least the merit Of novelty, the
policy of having absolutely no policy, 50 Tar
as Congress is concerned. The President
has not only, 50 far as can be discovered, no
party in either House. but all the signs show
that he does not mean to have any. All the
expressions made in conversation by mem
berS OF the Administration confirm this some
what startling view and make it appear that
the President 5 theory is that he shall exc
cute the laws, but that he will absolutely
refrain from the least attempt to influence
the action OF Congress or of any member OF
it On any subject; that he will make APP
pointmentS and removals where the good OF
the public service requires it, but leave the
question of confirmation absolutely to the
Senate, without the slightest attempt to III
ilucnce anybody : conclusions. For instance,
it Is generally granted that the admission OF
the two Louisiana senators would he an ap-
proval hy the Senate Of the President
Southern policy, and what one would call
an administration success. 1t Is certain
that if the President should express
wish on the subject enough Republic
cans would vote for their admission to secure
it. and, if he desired it, more than one kepub-
lean Senator would at once present and advo-
cate as an administration measure resolution
for the immediate admission OF Messrs. Spot
ford ond Eustis. But there is no doubt, to-
day, that the President has entirely held
aloOf lie has not asked any Senator to vote
for or take any steps for their admission.
The two cases will undoubtedly be referred
to the committee on elections, there to rest, it
is now believed, for long time. And If
one asks in bewderment whether this will
be an administration defeat the calm an
swer of the Presidents friends is:
Not at all. 1t is the business of thu
Senate, and not Of the President. II a ma
iority Of the Senators choose to deprive
State of its constitutional representation in
one branch of Congress, that iStheir adven-
ture. They do it on their own responsible
ty. The President has nothing to with it.
Ii is matter which lies between those Sena
tors and the country.
Ii. again, one asks these gentlemen what
the Administration thinks about getting It's
nominations confirmed, and whether it will
not geti its friends to advocate them, the an
Swer again IS
"Not At all. The Senate ought not to be
Influenced. Senators must use their own
judgments, acting on oath. 1t is the Presl-
dents duty to name fit men. If the Senate
rejects them. that is its business. 1t ought
not to reject fit and proper men, but, ii it
does. the President must submit, and will
doubtless try to find others.
If one asks, But will not the Admins
tration try to conciiate some Senators p
the reply Is
"of course not. What has it to do with
Cancellation? 1t has duty to perform to-
ward the nation-tO select proper persons
for the subordinate executive functions. 1t
means to that duty"
Bat political considerations might have
weight, you say, and the President
friends reply, Good Heavens wha; have
politics to do with hunting up and appoint
ing to Office the best men you can get to ac
cept?"
This theory Of non-intervcntinn in fact is
perfect at all points. The President will do
his constitutional duty, but he will not seek
for friends, allies, supporters or parti>ans in
either house of Congress. He will not dis
oblige any Senator or member if he can
properly avoid it, hut he will not seek either
to concilate or influence any. lie leaves
them to the absolutely unrestraincd ex-
ercise of their judgment and to the entire
responsibility Of what they may see fit to do,
and, if he is rightly reported, he hol Is that
the Senators who, under the constitution,
have to sit in judgment upon appointments,
who are made judges to decide On oath,
cannot properly urge or instruct him before
hand as to nominations to Office that he has
right TO ask advice and information on
such subjects from members of the House,
but not from Senators, who are a court to
sit upon his nominations after they are made
To the average Senatorial mind this theory
is utter nonsense and ioolishness, but there
are persons who believe that il it should be
faithfully adhered to it might prove en-
barrassing to the INSTRUMENTATION Repub-
licans. who are itching for fight, and fully
intend to ''smash" Hayes, but who need, of
course, somebody to fight against them
and something to fight about. As some one
said here to-day, speaking of this matter
are ready to tread on the Administra-
tons coat. tails, but the Administration is
Just now wearing a jacket