National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-12-26
The presidentiai Succession.

EDITOR NATIONAL REpUBiLCAN There
is so-called "patriotic sentiment pre-
vailing in either branch Of the national
Congress in reference TO the passage of the
Presidential succession bill, which think
is a mistake. There seems to be desire on
the part Of Republican senators and repre-
sentatives to do an unsclnsh political act
by handing over TO their opponents an OBJ
scure advantage which the accident of death
has given them. AT first glance this would
appear patriotic and heroic act, but as
precedent contend that II would be fraught
with danger to the peace OF the county,
The passage of this bill by the last Con-
gress would have been wise and proper
thing, and at that time the Republican
party placed itself on record In favor of
such legislation. Then there was no reason
why such bill should not pass, and every
reason why II should; now there is no good
reason why the bfll should pass In its
present form, and excellent reason why it
should not. II would, in effect, be legislat-
ing the present acting Vice President out Of
Office, and lcgislating another man In In
other words, Congress assumes the power
by this bill TO legislate present incumbent,
an individual(John Sherman) out of an Office
he now holds by operation Of law, and to
lesislate In another individual Thomas Il.
Bayard) who, In the eyes OF the present
law, Is as much stranger TO the presi-
dental succession as the humblest citizen
in the land. 1t will make very little differ
cnce to the country which of these able and
honorable men is the nominal Vice Presi-
dent for the ensuing three years, inasmuch
as the general good health and vigorous
Backbone of President Cleveland give
the most substantial assurance that in all
human probability he has yet many years OF
usefulness before him.
1Q,,t,. zI,s 70 n, na..f
ton looks to the future. Suppose that dur
ing time of some great political strife or
other public calamity, when men lose their
sober sense, and even members of Congress
can see nothing but "party''-suppose that
during such period both the President and
Vice President should die, with Congress
composed largely of their political oppo-
nentsl With that state of affairs, and with
the precedent OF the present proposed leg
! islation before them, what would Congress
be most sorely attempted to do? What
| might they not think, in the heat OF strife,
| they were justified in doing to satisfy tho
clamor Of their partisans? What would pre-
vent Congress from legislating the lawfully
acting President out and putting in one OF
their own partyp II Congress can legislate
an acting Vice President out they can GER
tainly legislate an acting President out!
Therefore, say that what is now passing
current for pure, sunadulterated patriotism
in connection with the Hoar bill, ,,may in fu-
ture prove to have been grave error in
craftsmanship, the consequences Of which
cannot now be sentirely foreseen-conten-
ton, turmoil, rancor, perhaps civil conflict.
IL It is desirable to pass succession" bill
at this session Of Congress land IL certainly
is desrable) let the law take effect on
March 4, 1880. Thus, not only will the
bad precedent and danger be avoided, but
precedent win be established to the direct
contrary, which will be better for the
country at all times. w. T. II.