The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-08-04

perfectly proper for the physicians to g We
us the best reports admissible under the
state Of the case, for the profound anxiety
of the people demand this much at their
hands.
But they should do no more than this and
The CRITIC but represents very wide.
spread feeling when it sincerely calls atten-
ton to the fact that much moro about Mr.
Garfeld's condition has been concealed than
told. We may instance the following facts,
vouched for by authority so high as to bo
unquostionablc
First-That no membcr of the Cabinet
has seen President Garfield to hold any con.
versation with him since the second day Of
July
Second-Only fourteen adult persons
have been admitted to the sick chamber for
many days past, namely the eight physi-
clans, Mrs. Garfield, Gen. Swain, Col. Rock
well, the two electricians Bell and Taintor,
and the attendant Crump.
| Third-Thc physicians report no fever,
and yet they bulletin nearly every evening
that the Presidents pulse is 10i.
Fourth--Thc wounded Executive has lost,
by estimate about fifty pounds of flesh, and
some believe the amount will reach as high
rs sixty.
Fifth-Therc have been several import
ant Cabinet consultations not given to the
public, involving the vital question of sue
cession in case the worst should result. In
such lamentablc event, there would only
be one course to adopt, namely, the plain
one set down in the Constitution.
With the most earnest and sincere hope
that the life Of General Garfield may be
spared to his country, it certainly will be
proper for us briefly to consider another
view of the question, involving what at
present seems like the most hopeful posi-
BILE view of the case. The profound peace
which now prevails everywhere in the
country enables us as American citizens to
enjoy an almost unprecedented freedom
from conflicting Constitutional ques-
tions to which we would other.
wise be exposed. Suppose, for
example, that instead of this National re-
pose we had any local or general disturb
ances. 1t is hardly possible they could be
met without prompt and efficient action on
the part of the President. AS commander
in-chief of the armies and navies he is alone
vested with the supreme authority to ex-
tend relief to any threatened States in the
the sisterhood. Again, suppose Congress
were in session, which it fortunately is not,
the law recognizes no hand but his as able
togive validity to any bill passed, to exercise
the veto, and to confer with the legislative
branch, and the emergency will scarcely
ever be regarded as extreme enough to
warrant violation Of this wholesome
enactment. Numberless instances might |
easily be conjecturcd where the present |
immunity of the President from the grave
duties and responsibilities of his high office
could not possibly exist AS we remarked,
the country is enjoying unparalleled free
dom from these complications and such
condition of things would certainly seem
to invite fair and dispassionate glance at
facts and possibilities.
When Congress meets, or, should any
other emergency arise, the President |
still remaining incompetent to attend to
affairs of state, the-Vice-P President would of |
course, have to assume the functions as act
ing President. The temper of the people
would be such as to heartily sustain him in
the ordeal, and he would, no doubt, conduct
himself with great credit, excellent sense
and marked moderation. 1t is extremely
doubtful whether he would undertake to do
more than sign bills and attend to the sim
pie routine work of the Executive. Such an
arrangement is not by any means a remote
contingency, and the Cabinet sensibly real
ICES the TACT.
Discussion has also been held as 10 the
future contingencies, and an interesting
fact has been revived. In 1873, realizing
the weak points of the Constitution in this
important respect, Senator Pomeroy, of
Kansas, then chairman of the Committee ON
Rules, framed an amendment to do away
with all possible trouble The succession
went first to the Vice President, then to
the Speaker of the House. and then to the
Judges of the Supreme Bench in order of
This should have been adopted by
lhe States and made a part of the Constitu.
lion at that time, but some such measure
must be resorted to at an early date.
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Severe ON Georgia.
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