The daily gazette., 1881-08-22
MONDAY, AUGUST ~, 1881.

THE DUTY OF THE VICE PREsr-
oENT.-The duty of the Vice Presi-
lent of the United States has been
under discussion in q sort of subdued
sone by a part of the Republican
press for some time. It is quite evil
dent that there is q considerable feel
ing Of jealousy in the matter. The
Stalwarts desire Mr.. Arthur to assume
in some way an active interest in the
government, hence they refer frequent
ly TO the fact that the President is
disabled and that disability" ex-
lists that ought to be filled-that Mr..
Elaine Is not the proper officer to run
the government in such contingency
and discharge the duties of President.
Under the circumstances it does seem
strange that the Vice President has
no duty to the government to dis
charge, and it is presumed will not
have unless the President should die.
In that event there are precedents
sufficient and mere routine policy
will be followed.
But a. Vice Presidents in all other
positions except that which Mr..
Arthur holds are expected to act in
the absence of the President, the
question is often asked why it is that
the Vice President does not preside at
the meetings of the Cabinet during
the sickness or disability of the Presi-
dent Of the United States. A suffi-
cient answer to this question might be
found in the fact that the Vice Presi-
dent is not member of the Presi-
dents Cabinet, and hence is without
any right to take a seat with the
chosen advisers Of the Executive.
But the New York Times in various
articles during its discussion OF the
question as to whether q disability"
exists or not, although apparently no
friend to Mr.. Arthur, incllnes to the
opinion that the time has arrived
when 1t is the duty of some in
authority to determine this question,
and that Mr.. Blaine should be relieved
Of q share of the responsibility ol
running the government. since he i,
<6nly an appointee of President Gar.
field, and not elected by the people to
discharge so great and responsible
duties, however fitted he may be to do
so well and truly. The Constitution
provides that in case of the death,
resignation or inability" of the Presi-
dent ''to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, the same shall de-
volve on the Vice President. This
is clear enough. But who is to de-.
termine when an Inability" exists is
not stated. 1t is further provided
that "the Congress may by law pro-
vide for the case of removal, death,
resignation, or inability both of the
President and Vice President, de-
clar:ng what officer shall then act as
President" and such officer shall act
accordingly until the disability is re-
moved. But Congress is not in ses.
sion, and can only be convened in ex-
ira session by the call of the President.
No doubt the President would con-
vene Congress if his Cabinet insisted
upon his doing so. Whether Mr.. Gar,
field could legally invite the vict
President to Washington and instruc
him to discharge the duties of Presi
dent during his "inability," is jus
what no one seems to know in the alb
sence of some such precedent. Wer
the President and his Cabinet and tn
Vice President agreed ON all govern
ment policy perhaps this questio
would be solved more easily.