The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-08-26
THE EXECUTIVE auAzDAzr.,

from Office, or Of his death, resignation or
inability TO discharge the powers and duties
Of the said office, the same shall devolve on
the Vice President, and the Congress may by
law provide for the removal, death, resigna-
ton or inability both Of the President and
Vice-President, declaring what officer shall
then act as President, and such officer shall
act accordingly until the disability be re-
moved or a President shall be elected
Constitution U. s., Art. 2, Sec. 1.
The President Of the United States is in
the shadow of death. He Is physically
Frustrated to degree that does not now
permit him to be burdened with any cares
whatever and which will not for some time
hereafter If he should recover. There are
many things In the administration of the af-
fairs Of State requiring the action Of the Ex-
ecutive. President Garfield Is beyond
question In condition Of "inability to dis
charge the powers Of the said Office" Yet
In this situation yice-President Arthur has
not assumed these powers and duties, and
the question Of his doing SO is regarded as
one Of the greatest gravity, concerning
which there Is shrinking and doubt.
1t has been alleged that Vice-President
Arthur was born in Canada and is ineligible
as President. But that bubble has been
virtually passed upon and discarded by the
Senate in recognizing him rs their presiding
officer. 1t Is known he is not In sympathy
with the &" Administration in its differences
with Senator Conklins; but the duty to act
as President under the circumstances passes
TO him by virtue OF the terms of the Consti-
tuition and his election as Vice-President,
and any question of factional or party pref
erences, either by the President, Vice-Presi-
dent, Cabinet or any one else are totally ir-
relevant issues, entitled to no consideration
act as President. 1t is true the Vice-Presi-
dent would have power to reconstruct the
Cabinet and the policy Of the administra-
ton TO suit himself, and in case of the Presi-
dents death 1t is not improbable important
changes would occur; but it is not according
the Vice-President either integrity as a man
or ordinary political sagacity to believe he
would disturb single officer, or defect any
policy, of the present Executive while dis
charging the duties of President under ex-
listing circumstances. again 1t il question
ed: Who shall decide the "inability" Of
the President that the Vice President may
assume the functions? And, when the
President has recovered, who will determine
1t that the Vice-President may restore the do
minion to the Presidentp President Gar
field is the one to say TO Mr.. Arthur: ~ am
disabled; l wish you to discharge the duties
Of President until / am restored" And 1t
will be Mr.. Arthurs duty when the Presi-
dent Is SO restored to yield back 10 him the
reins Of government. Does any one doubt
the Vice-President would do this? And un-
der the circumstances would they not be
acts of reconciliation, msgnanimity and hon.
orable confidence, alike creditable to the
principal parties and the nation? 1t is GER
tainly not justice to the Republic that there
Is no Executive who can discharge the du-
ties of State: 1t is certainly cruelty to the
wounded man TO impose their care upon
him, and II Is not in the contemplation Of
the organic law that these affairs shall be
administered by q subordinate officer while
the duly chosen substitute officer Is kept de-
prised of his rightful authority.
In the discussion of this matter which is
now attracting the attention of the entire
country, the great stumbling block seems 10
be the manner of legally declaring the
Presidents "inability" aud the manner of
ousting the Vice-President after he shall have
assumed the duties of President. The vol
untary acts of the President and Vice-Presi-
dent seem to us the best solution, and If the
country cannot trust to the honor and integ-
rity Of its two principal officers under any
circumstances, especially under the present,
we had better take in our sign of +" the best
government the world ever saw" But,
while asserting this, 1t Is not to be denied
that the circumstances have developed an
other defect In the governmental machinery
that should be remedied by law or constitu-
tional amendment. The great palladium
Of our liberties " Is not so entirely perfect in
all Its generalties and particulars as we has
ten to avow 1t Is on Independence Day and
as the stress of gigantic government and ex-
ceptional exigencies arise to develop its de-
fects or the need Of supplemental legisla-
ton the sons are less wise than the sires If
they do not heed and mend.
This discussion will, however, we fear,
have no ultimate determination In this case.
The doubts and uncertainties that are al
legged and the non-assumption of the duties
by the yice-President up to this date indi-
cate matters will remain rs they are unless
the President should die-a result the civil
lied world will deplore, and yet result the
world is growing to believe is more probable
than his recovery.