New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-09-13
iron and steel workers prefcrH They will show
law their votes in Ohio and Indiana,
Z" tCTJNG PRESIDEh L."

Tn His spccch nj Indianapolis Mr.. Hendricks,
Democratic candi late for the Nicc-Prcsidency
made the following remarks about a letter said
70 have been written by Mrs. Sweeney to Secre-
tary Blaine:
The letter was received by the state Department In
Washington on the 18th day Of August James q. Blaine
who was then the Secretary " State then acting "a
president OF ire United states Mr.. Garfield then
auguisIing upon his bed Of pain mat letter was ul-
opened 80 far as we know.
How was il known when the letter was re-
ceivcd, if it was unopened But this is trlie.
Are we TO suppose that this man, for years
Senator and now n candidate for the Vice
Presidency. really thinks that there can be an
acting President Of the United States Does
he in truth suppose that such power can be ex-
crcised by anybody without criminal violation
of law. which would expose the person so usurp-
ing to Impeachment, disgrace ana punishment
Does he not know that a cabinet officer can
nosscss no power. except by virtue of instruc-
tons from the President of the United States
Does he not know that any act done by that
cabinet officer, not warranted by instructions
received from the President, is a usurpation OF
power. a breach of trust, crime against the
people
If Mr.. Hendricks does not know these things,
he is the most ignorant man who ever sat IN
the Senate. If he does suppose that Secretary
Blaine had any power whatever to act as Presi-
dent of the United States, or to answer officially
any letter addressed to him, unless he could
answer it by authority of instructions previously
received, than he is quite too Ignorant OF 'co
reckless TO be entrusted with responsibility as a
Nicc-Pr,sidcnt
lion the other hand Mr.. Hendricks does
~. and ,raiI 4li Ia
cratcy represents it, rs in that ease he ana ID HIS
srccch ai indianapolis his shameless dishonesty
units him for any position of trust from the
highest to the lowest The truth is that Mr.
Blaine was absolutely unauthorized To take
action in the matter in question. excepting so
far as. i'm pursuance of previous instructions
ne had already directed the Minister at London
to demonstrate with the British government
and In urg" speedy Trial for American cii"nF
i'm confinement Having done thi' hy au-
ihority of the President, hc hnd NO power to do
molc. The President Icy between lite amt
DEATH An conversation With him on pubic
affairs wa forbidden. The physicians d,clnlod
that tine life of the President might be lost
If his comrouur should hc disturbed JOS refer
rnco ~ public business. Had Nh Elaine inn
nudcd uppu that dollh-hrd. with amy request
for authority tp ta' 60 now action I'm his d'pli-
mcnf. il would have been hrll dnrr1co. Had
hc acted without authority. it would have been
gross u-WpJlion, aud the people would nave
condemned itas u crime. Every Democratic
orator in the country Mr. Hendricks included
knows lhc.o thues. and yet many Mr. Hen.
bricks included. are dishonest enough 10 Pre-.
tend thil W. Blaine ought even thou, without
authority, aud in sheer wutpat,on, 10 hay"
done something winch hc did not do.