New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-09-10
THE INABILITY QUESTION.

OFFICIAL ACTION TAKEN NOW LIKELY TO BECOME
pREcEpENT-iMPoRTANcE OF GRAVE AND
CAREFUL CONSIDERATION or THE PREsl-
DENTS CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT.
lhY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSRI
LONG BRANCH, Sept. 0.--The Inability oues-
uon as 1t has now come to be called seems TO have
been temporarily postponed. Its consideration de-
veloped some unexpected difficulties the solution
of which with the aid only OF existing legal an, on
stituuona machinery seems almost impossible
While only necessary To consider IL for application
to the present emergency any one of the methods
suggested might be adopted, and the good sense of
the American people might be- depended upon to
support those upon whom tho duty To act devolves
in any course they would be likely to mark out
The President might decide for himself that he
was unable TO perform the functions of his
office, or the President might decide the question
upon the advice and evidence of his physicians and
his Cabinet; and there is little doubt that he as
sumption of Executive functions by the Vice
President and their assumption bv the President
upon his recovery would he peace aby accomplis
But III an ago when preccdents acquire almost the
force OF organic law, il argued that IL may be
wiser to await developments, and seek first to es-
tabiish III some more definite manner "A legal form
of action which shall be open to fewer doubts than
any of those thus far suggested which do not com
prchend the calling together of Congress.
The whole question finally resolves itself to one of
evidence. First, does temporary ply steal disability
constitute inability within the purview of the Con-
stitutonf Second, who is to hear the evidence and
decide upon its competency for the end sought 10 be
establEhedf Suppose tho Vce-President were to
decide that the Presidents present disability
stituted the occasion when il was incumbent upon
him to assume the duties of President and this was
to beconc-as it would doubtless become--a preco-
dent for action in future similar emergencies The
time must come again as il has frequently in the
past. that the Executive and the majority
in the Senate would be of different poll
| tical faiths. Casualties aro as likely
to occur to a Vice-Presidcnt to n President of
course; and hence it may arise that Vice Pres
dent would be succeeded by President of the Sem
ate and political heir to the Presidency of ferent
party affiliations Let this condition of affairs exist
at n time when political feeling runs high and the
greatest possible temptation would be presented for
taking advantage of any temporary ament Of the
President to overthrow the party in executive
power.
During only one century of National existence we
have become one of the wealthiest powers on the
globe, and year by year we are increasing our
wealth and relative Importance among the nations
The Presidency becomes more and more an object of
ambition.
In this view of the situation the question is pre-
sented to those of whom decision upon the questions
referred to is expected. Arc we not making a pre-
cedent which will be cause for wars and internal
oo'h'ouohs iohR aiLrT we are dead There IS
reason to believe that these contingencies had
weight in the recent Cabinet deliberations and pre-
venting any affirmative action
\. The President may, and it is hoped will continue
the te, Improvement now so happily begun, and may
wthn TWO or three weeks reach that of health
when it will be possible without danger to him o
cali his attention to he desirabilIty of CON
vteining Ven Congress to take action in regard to
TINS tins subject II at that time there is prospect
OF long, continuance of his physical disability
there would seem to be no doubt of the competence
OF Congress TO pass laws for carrying into effect the
provisions of the Constitution. 1t would seem to
be desirable for Congress to decide what tribunal
should have the power to hear testimony and pass
Judgment upon the question whether a temporary
physical condition Of the President does or does
amount to the Inability which was contemplated by
| the trainers of the Constitution