Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-12-12

freedom IN their regulations must be
recogn zed. But it seems ONLY lust
that so far rs its constitutional autbori-
ty will permit Congress should prot ct
the people at large in their inter-S ate
trefilc against acts of Injustice which
State Governments are powerlese to
protect.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION
At the time when the present Exc
cutlve entered his Office his death re-
moyal, resignation or inability to dis
charge his duties would have left the
Government without constitutional
head. 1t is possible, Of course. that a
similar contingency may again arise un-
less the wisdom of Congress shall pro-
vide against its recurrence. The SEN
ate at its last session, after full ccnsid-
Grafton, passed an act relating to this
subject, which will now. | trust com.
mend itself to the approval of both
Houses of Congress- The clause of the
Constitution upon which must depend
any law regulating the Presidential
succession presents also for solution
other questions of paramount import
ance. These questions relate to the
proper Interpretation of the phrase "In-
ability to discharge the powers and
duties of said office" Our organic law
providing that, when the President
shall suffer from such inability. the
Presidential Office shall devolve upon
the Vice President, who must himself,
under like circumstances, give place to
such officer as Congress may by law
appoint to act as President. | need
not here set forth numerous and inter-
esting inquiries which are suggested
by these words of the constitution.
They were fully stated in my first CON-
munication to Congress and have since
been the subject of frequent delibera-
tions in that body. 1t is greatly to be
hoped that these momentous questions
will find speedy solution, lest emer-
gencies may arise when longer delay
will be impossible and any determine
tion, albeit the wisest, may furnish
causes for anxiety and alarm.
CONCLUSION.
For the reasons fully stated in my
last annual message repeat my re-
commendation that Congress propose
an amendment to that provision of the
Constitution which prescribed the for
mallties for the enactment of laws
whereby, in respect to bills for the ap-
preparation Of public moneys, the Exc
cutive may be enabled, while giving
his approval to particular items, to in
terpose his veto as to such other as do
not commend themselves to his iudg-
ment. The Fourteenth amendment of
the Constitution confers the rights of
citizenship upon all persons born or
naturalized in the United States and
subject TO the jurisdiction thereof. 1t
was the special purpose of this amend
ment to insure TO members of the coll
ored race the full enjoyment of civil and
political rights. Certain statutory pro-
visions intended to secure the enforce
ment of those rights have been recent
ly declared unconstitutional by the Sd
preme Court, any legislation whereby
Congress may lawfully supplement the
guarantees which the Constitution af-
fords for the equal enjoyment of all the
citizens of the United States of every
right, privilege and immunity of citizen
ship will receive my unhesitating ap-
proval.
tSigned) CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington. Dec. 8, 1888