, 1881-08-27
TO he continued
A Grave Problem.

II Is nov more than SIX weeks since the
president Was shot, and he is still con
fined to his bed. and utterly incapable uf
di5chsrging any of the duties OF his office.
There is no Immediate prospect Of his re-
coyery; indeed, there seems abundant rea-
sons To fear that he vii never AGAIN be
able 10 perform the setive functions oi the
presidency. Every day he is becoming
weaker: his fever is constant and reSlsts
all efforts for its reduction; he has lest a
great deal at flesh and is terribly emaeia-
ted. Doubtless the malaria by which the
Executive Mansion is surrounded has had
a bad effect upon him, but his removal
Al any time since the shooting wcuid
probably have been fatal, and cannot be
undertaken for some time {" come. eX-
cept at the most imminent peril to his
life These are the plain facts as 10 the
presidents condition His recovery Is
vet a matter of the greatest uncertainty;
and If it does come II must, IN the nature
of the case. be long delayed.
The presiden; IS, aud has been ever
since the ID Of July, practically mcapaci-
tated for the performance al any oi the
duties Of his Office Happily the assassi-
natiou occurred II 4 time when there was
a lull III the publlc business and there
was very little for the president !" do.
The public interests did not suffer mate
risIly for the iirsi two or three weeks,
bat business Tor the executive has, III the
meantime. been accommodating, and that
poin, has nearly, if not quite, been reached
al which something wiil have 10 be done
This has raised the question whether that
c, .ndition of affairs contemplated by the
constitution under the words inability
Of the president" has not arisen. There
il an entire absence Of precedents upon
the subiect. and II may be necessary, ere
Iong. 10 establish one. Of course the
nol,tjeians and lawyers differ radically as
70 the construction 10 be placed upon the
words above quoted from the constitution.
Senator Harrison, oi Indiana, tor III
CONGO holds that the ''inability ii the
president only arises when he becomes
insane; but he can give II" reaS"n Tor TINS
or;ni.n and II arises. no donbt, from hls
ant,na,ky 10 MIR. Arthur. and his dis
inclination 10 having that gentleman oc-
cnnr the presidential chair, even Tor a
brici period. But the weight of oP'm"n
is now against the Indiana senator, and
! the best authorities unite IN the belief
that unless the president speedily re-
covers, his duties, At least temporarily,
viii legally devolve upon the rice-prcsl-
dent, who in tha: event "Is! Tee known as
''acting president.
.sWbn shall determine whca this col.
,insency has arisen" is another question
sprineing out of the main one, and pr :
seuting even more difficulties that that
So long AZ the president retains posses
si,n # his faculties, he Is obviously the
proper person 10 determine this matter
I, il in this manner that governors com
monty call lieutenant governors 10 then
q al when they are III or are compelled
10 absent themselves from their states
But If the president should neglect OF ne
FMS. 70 reauest the viee-president 10 act III
his stead. although himself unable to
serve, and public business demands arten-
,;on- then what shall be done The cab
;na, might ask the vice-president 20 DIS
charge executive duties. but II would
hardly do anything which Was not sane,
toned BY the president. Congress Wiil
not meet until December, unless sum
moned in extra session. and II c'inn9t DC
SO summoned except by the president
himself. The vice-presidsnt could not
be expected TO determine the question
for himself and assume, Temporarily, the
nr.sident.al Office. snd should he do 50,
There would be the danger Of disputed
authority. >,
finder the circumstances II would seem
tbs, Gen Garfield himself should take The
initiative and request Mr.. Arthur 10 act
as president temporarily. Such action
wonid undoubtedly Re universally con
Cured in, and would not only solve the
present problem but would establish 4
rsluable aud binding precedent for the
for the future. Il cannot be anticipated
that Gen Arthur would assume 20 exer
else any undue suthoity, or eisehsrgs any
except the pressing duties Of the moment
| and no fear could BE- enter.alnes that hs
would take any steps which would tend y
cripple or embsrrass the president IN 'h'
event Of his recoverss.