Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-07
THE Inability" Question.

Statements have recently been made In
the proylncial press to the effect that Caot-
net consultations are being held TO decide
the question Of the alleged inability OF
President Garfield to perform the duties OF
his office. aud the possible necessity OF CALI
inc Vice President Arthur to Washington TO
discharge those duties. They are without
foundation. No such consultations have
been held. The Cabinet has no oficisl In
formation that the question Of the Presi-
dents inability has been raised snd hiss
therefore not discussed IL, All that las
been said on the subject has emanated from
certain newspapers or been inspired oY
them. Some New York journal, making the
discovery that General Garfield must now
be eonstitutionslly disabled, made bold 70
suggest to Mr.. Arthur that he should imme-
diately proceed TO the capital and assume
the functions Of the Presidential office.
Other papers noted the New York journals
discovery and took issue with its position.
A journalistic debate was thus begun which,
being supplemented by INTERVIEWS with
one eminent constitutional lawyer ana an
other, Snd generally enriched by conflicting
dispatches from this city, hiss continued 10
this hour and promises 10 80 on inden-
nitely.
Il is generally held by men snd newspa-
pers OF the 'sstAlwartn faction that the Vice
President is the sole Judge OF what eonsu-
tutes a case Of Presidential inability; that
Il is his duty to take the reins OF government
into his own hands IS soon as that inability
is made sufficiently manifest 70 him. By
more uupreiuiiced observers, such as ex-
Senator Eaton and Judge Black. II Is
Thought that the Vice President can be
charged with temporary performance Of
the Presidential duties, but only after the
inability OF the President 70 act has been
formally announced by a competent tri-
bunal. IL is asserted BY many that no steps
can be taken in the premises until Con
the Inability" clause in the Consti-
tuition; BY others that the Cabinet is alone
endowed with the right 10 decide when the
Vice Presidents services are needed. The
strict cOnstruetioniStS sire nesrly unanimous
in the belief that there can be no such thing
As s Temporary inability that the Vice
President 10 succeeding the President does
50 for the full term, and can only 50 sue
coed in the three events OF the Presidents
desth, resignation or permanent inability
To DISCHARGE his functions.
So much for so much. As 8 matter Of fact
the whole discussion Is premature and with
out special warrant The government Is not
suffering through the illness OF the Presi-
dent. During the summer months, from
tine immemoriAl, the business Of the vsri-
Gus departments has been Of s routine char
setter merely, and only rarely are the Presi-
dents personal services needed. The heads
OF The departments are generally away snd,
SIS was the case in Hayes administration,
the Executive sometimes leaves the capital
for two months st time. There was pc
Rod IN the Hayes administration when no
Cabinet meeting was held during an inter
val slmCst SIS long SIS that IN which the
President hiss been confined 10 his
room. 1t is s fact that the only matters
st present requiring the official attention Of
the President are the appointment OF an
Auditor OF Railroad Accounts, OF Paymss-
ter General for the Navy and the exercise
OF the pzrdoning power, II need be, in the
case Of three men sentenced to be hanged
st Fort Smyth, who are expecting reprieves.
Il is stated, however, that they deserve no
clemency, and that If they DO the President
| Is well enough to sign the necessary papers.
| There sre, also, some pOstmssters whose
terms Of Office have expired and who
would probably have been removed ere
| this had the President been in his usual
| health. The Cabinet might be expected
| 10 send st once for General Arthur
sh ould his presence ST any time become
necessary 70 keep the wheels OF government
| from clOggicg. Bat Il may be stated that
| every member Of the Cabinet has expressed
| the opinion, either directly or indirectly,
| snd with 81 apparent honesty which is no.
Z 70 be doubted, thSt the business OF his de-
pSr.ment is not suffering through tie
/ lack Of 81 sctiye head 70 the government.
! Oae Cabinet officer, in stating that he
/ could transact al his business with
/ President Garfield Ia one minute, cut
/ lined the general situation Of affairs.
Gen. Arthur has openly signifed bis IN
| tenuon OF rot coming 10 Washington until
/ he Is notified OF The Presidents death, or OF
| the sbsolute imposSibilitY OF his recovery. "
/ M. Arthur will uOt come here 70 sign even
I ) few papers 81 the beck and nod Of the
/ Cabinet, or set IS sort OF Presidential clerk.
| Under the present circumstances, there
would be nothing else for him 70 do. Tie
4 Presidents mind Is still perfectly clear,
ard the machinery o. the government has
10: ceased 70 run smoothly, because dUrin z
the past zine weeks his hand has rot grsSped
the lever. Il is oaly when one or both Of
these conditions sre changed tha. the ides
OF calling upon the Vice President 10 as
sumo the duties and functions Of the Prest-
| dental Office need be preached Until then
81 discussion is unnecessary, indicate snd
/ fruiiless, 2rd 81 sEitstion Of the subjsc:
1 worse thzn waste q time.