The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-05-06
WASHINGTON.
UnpIensan,Iy suggestive.


WASHINGTON, May "A telegram announc-
ing that the train to Gettysburg, on which
the President and Vice President of the
United States were passengers, was detained
far some time owing to an accident 10 the en-
gine, calls attention to the condition IL which
the country would be placed IL. by any uH-
fortunate calamity, the President and Vice
President should both die at the same time.
II Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Hendricks should
both die at the same time between now and
next December there is no provision for Pres
ldential succession and there is No person in
whom executive power is lodged. There is no
president pro tempore OF the Senate Mr..
Hendricks did not vacate the chair prior to
the adjournment of the last session to permit
the Republicans to choose president pro tenn
pore. Mr.. Hendricks in doing this simply fol-
lowed a precedent which was set by Mr.
Arthur himself, when the latter was Vice
President, and when the Senate adjourned at
time of great factional excitement within
the party. There is no speaker of the House
OF Representatives, as the House is rot Or
ganized. The wisest men of the nation are
not qnste agreed as to what would happen in
such contingency. The proclamation of the
Secretary oil State ordering new election of
President and Vice President would he OBJ
served and republican institutions would be
preserved, although the government would be
headless. Warnings enough of this sort havs
been given to Congress since 1876, but they
seem not to be needed.
1hC yMAcMb Oh newly APpDkhtG0 EkcVC-
nue. Collectors.
The suspension OF Internal Revenue Col.
lector Craig OF Virginia and the appointment
of SheppeEd in his place is to be sharply con-
tested by the suspended officer. The case in
Wolves some very nice points of law; while
there can be no doubt that the President has
right to suspend internal revenue officers
there is doubt whether the person appointed 10
fill the vacancy created by the suspension will
under certain conditions be entitled 10 the
same salary The right of the person appoint
ed in place of the suspended officer to a salary
depends on his confirmation by the next Sem
ate unless il is to be held that the suspension
in this particular case of Craig created a va
cancy. The internal revenue coectars have
no fixed term, and there certainly is no dispo-
sition to continue all of them in Office until
next December. The practical question for the
persons vino succeed to the suspended officers
is whether, ia not confirmed, they would lose
the salary. The case relied upon by the legal
advisers of the administration is decision of
the United States Supreme Court in Fardeu' 8
are managing the case of Craig here ma intain
that this decision does not ''run on all fours"
with the Craig case.
Changes i'm the Departments.
The Attorney General has appointed N. T.
n. Robinson of Louisiana to be law clerk of
the Department of Justice vice A. R. Dutton.
resigned. Robinson was formerly private Sec
Ioldfp OoDdOUE COu6S. DubbOu T6btku6u
some time ago to take effect May 4tb and a
singular coincidence is that he died on the
daY his resignation took effect.
joseph Nimmo, Jr, chief of the bureau of
statistics, has resigned at the request
of Secretary Manning, to take effect or
| the qualification of his successor, and
| it is said that William f. Switzler OF
Missouri, recently appointed chief clerk of
| the bureau, will be appointed to succeed him.
| 1t is further stated that j. N. Whitney, who
was removed from the Office of chief clerk and
| was succeeded by Switzler, will be restored to
| that Office. Secretary Manning refuses TO af-
| firm or deny these reports.
Hon John Goode, recently appointed Sole
| itor General, took the modified oath of Office
| and assumed the duties of his Office this morp-
| ing.
Pillsbury and Chase.
The Secretary OF the Treasury has notified
| Messrs. Pillsbury OF Massachusetts, and Chase
| OF Maine of their appointments as collectors OF
| internal revenue and has requested them to
| make arrangements for the tranfer of tLsir
offices. The bond of Pillsbury has been re-
| ceived at the Treasury Department and been
| submitted TO the Solicitor for examination. II
is expected that both of these officers will as
sumo their duties ON the 1st prox.
Miner Matters.
| The American Fish Cultura Association
| met today at ths National Museum. bon
| Theodore Lyman of Massachusetts,, president
Of the Association, delivered the opening ad
| dress.