National Republican., 1885-12-22

liub 'bVuulOlb bhON BtHtIui ulbpOSl1lou
to confirm the appointments of the Presl-
dent wherever there is found no personal
objection, and wherever IL does not appear
that the tenure Of Office law has been disre-
garded in the removal of predecessors" tho
Tribune says very justly:
This spirit is commended, rs showing de-
sire not TO place faotious obstacles in the way
OF the President, and as evidence that the Re.
publicans are not actuated by care for the
offices. The senators will be sustained by
public opinion In refusing to make any flctlous
opposition to the President. He has been
elected, If not by majority of the people, at
least through the forms OF law. lie has thus
been intrusted with the responsibility OF ap-
pointment. II is proper that senators should
leave as much of that responsibility to him
and to his political supporters In the Senate rs
a due regard for the laws and the public wei.
fare will permit.
Thus far the Tribunes article is in excel
lent taste, showing nothing to which ex-
ceptions should be taken. Not quite SO
much cen be said Of what follows:
But there are some considerations which
should not be overlooked. It is certain that
three years hence, when another presidential
election Is at hand, Democratic orators and
journals will reply to all criticism of the selec-
tion of officials by Democratic adminstra-
tion: "But there was n Republican Senate
which approved appointments. II was eager
to find fault, as was natural. II scrutinized
closely, but so marvelously excellent were the
Democratic selections that, out of many thou
sand appointments, even the Republican Sem
ate found occasion 10 object TO only one in
thousand or So" The answer will be impress.
siye. 1t is important to realize now that 1t
will be impressive because It will be strictly
just, in spirit If not in letter.
If IL be true that Democratic orators and
journals are likely to make such statements
"three years hence,n we will anticipate them
by three years in showing that their state
ments will not be just, that their position
will not be tenable. 1t Is not true that sem
ators are responsible for appointments in
the same way and to the same extent as the
President is Senators cannot put back the
previous incumbent by rejecting the noml-
nation Of his successor. II senators reject
one nomination they cannot dictate another
in its place. Their function is restricted to
saying "yes' or "no," and their duty is
fulfilled when they have ascertained that no
law has been violated and that there is no
/ good reason to doubt the fitness Of the NOM
inee for the place for which he has been
4 named.
II Republican Senate could have its
way-as we trust 1t will have for an
indefinite period after the expiration Of the
| present presidential term-few Democrats
/ would get into offices except in compliance
] ,yf.
Senate could have had its way the removals
,iI"t h,s-O 0vg,.s.--i -.,IuvO iul,v rtaIUn rUulu
| not have happened. If Republican Sem
| ate could work its own will it would sub
stitute the name of some good Republican
when the President sends the name of u
Democrat.
But the Republican majority fully COM
| prehends the present situation, and knows
that 1t has no right to reject man because
he is a Democrat and is named for place
that was ably and acceptNbly filled by a
Republican who, on any broad theory of
civil service reform, should have been con-
tinued therein.
| 1t was not the intention OF the trainers
OF our governmental system that there
should be trouble between the President
and the Senate when the former belonged
| to different political party from a major
| ity of the latter, And our government
would be radically and dangerously defec-
tive If such condition of the two branches
Of the executive mechanism were likely
to throw the country into prolonged ex-
! citement. The fathers assumed and many
I Senates have proven that II is not within
the legitimate province of senators to
dictate the political creed Of nominee.
| The constitution says that the President
"shall nominate, and by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, appoint
sc. 1t will be seen that the duties of the
Senate come In after the nomination. The
President "sHALL nominate" The duty is
imperative. 1t is a high duty carrying
great responsibility. That respect which
esch branch of the government owes to
each and all Of the Others demands that the
Senate shall assume that the President has
taken every reasonable precaution against
making an unfit nomination. Assuming
this, the Senate gives reasonable amount
of attention to a nomination, and then II
unGtness is not apparent, it gives its consent
b Hhu NV tiNoiiShb uPpOihoiiiSub 10 COlu-
pleted.
To hold that the Senate, which does not
nominate, which cannot in any manner
dictate nomination, is responsible in any
broad sense for the quality Of the public
service as affected by the capacity and
fidelity, or incapacity and unfaithfulness OF
officials, is little short of absurdlty.
1t is the chief business of the President
to enforce the laws, and the officers whom
he selects are the agents employed in this
chief duty. Secondary to this are the
legislative duties Of his office.
1t is the chief business Of the Senate to
aid in making the laws. Its executive
duties are secondary.
With mutual desire TO promote the pub
lie good and mutual care 10 avoid any in
vasion Of each others rightful domain, the
President and the Senate-the Republican
Senate and the Democratic President-wiIl
! get on smoothly together
At all events the Republican Senate,
"three years hence" or at any other time,
will not be held responsible for bad nomi-
nations nor Tor consenting thereto If 1t re-
| iects those whose dishonesty or incapacity,
or both, can be made apparent by the ex-
| ercise Of reasonable precautions.
The great burden Of responsibility rests
/ with the only official who can name per-
son for office.
-
Mr.. WheeIer's BilI.
Mr. Wheeler, Of Alabama, has introduce 4
bin, In fact, Mr., Wheeler, of Alabama,