Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1885-03-15
nnErENrRE OF OFFICE ACT.

I'M OE ANE hNAs
President CLEVELAND has an unusually
rIuous task to perform, which, as tie great
clamor shows, began with the initial day o.
his Presidency. Being Democratic Presi-
dent he realizes he is obligated to the De
mocrscy for his nomination and election,
and therefore, ifhe wants his party to be re-
warded in turn for his promotion, he must
turn out the old officers and appoint new
ones ofhis own persuasion, There is little
auestion in the REGIsTER'S mind but that he
VII do this when TO his mind the proper
time comes. Being very conservative and
ds,rete mat I'd realizing the transition Of
power from one party to the other, has
never. within the history Of tie United
States, been so keenly felt, nor accomps-
MED with so many delicate and dangerous
Is;ats of conflicting interest and antsgO-
uism. he prefers to pick his steps and make
sure the road he follows has no dangerous
quicksands O. impossible barriers. Hence
his resistance 70 the opportunities and on
slAughts OF the multitude of Office seekers
and their friends, who, by virtue OF the
political and Jacksonian justice Of
their cause, become impatient, and cannot
understand Why Mr.. CLEVELAND refuses to
promptly act on their claims. They fail to
see With their eyes what he secs with his.
The presiden: knows there is Tenure Of
cfice act and that there is Republican
Senate, wherein fierce partisan disspPoint-
meut is but ureasily slumbering and ready
on the sHghtes; prOvocation to break out IN
bitter violence, who win enforceis. Mr.. CLEvB-
IAxD knowing this, and being a far sighted
and sensible man, Is determined first, not 70
be Inundated BY his appointments being
rejected, and second, to inspire throughout
the country the greatest confidence in his
official acts. = glance at this Tenure of
Office act" Is Is well explained by an ex-
cAsxe, passed originally as a curb on Presi-
Rsst JOHNSON, viii indicate how thoroughly
the power is possessed by an adverse Senate
10 thwart the wholesale exercise Of the
rover Of removal
Civil officers appointed with the consent
Of the Ssnate hold during the term for
which they were appointed unless sooner
removed with the consent Of the Senate or
by the appointment, With ike consent, Ct q
successor in his piece. This is the rule
The exceptions are these: Daring a recess
of the Senate the President is authorized 10
suspend any civil officer appointed with the
consent of the Senate until the end Of the
next session Of the Senate and 10 designate
a suitable person 70 perform meantime the
duties of the suspended officer. While so
acting this sppoia'ee may enjoy the salary
and emoluuents Of the Office. Within
thirty days after the commencement
of each session Of the Senate the Presi-
cent must nominate persons 10 MI
AL vacancies in Office which existed at the
meeting of the Seuste, whether temporarily
filed or not, and also in the place Of al
officers suspt ndsd. If the Senate refuse to
assent TO the appointment in the place OF a
suspended officer the President shall nomi
nate another person to the same session Of
the Senate. The President may 6ll al
vacancies thai happen during the recess Of
the 81 nate By reason OF death or resignar
lion. or expiration OF term, by granting
commissiC ns, which shall expire at the end
Of their neqt session. II no appointment
with the ctnssnt Of the Senate is made to
an Office so vacant or temporarily filed. the
Office ehall remain in allegiance without any
salary until the COZ sent Of the Senate is hsd
10 sn appointment
The effect OF this law will be best uader
stood perhaps by an illustration which /,
not designs d to b. inT.dioIs. Postmaster
Sterling, of Wheeling, has say two years o.
tenure. The President, however, may con
elude 10 appoint Jones who qualities SnC
assumes the Office, enjoying its emolumeut
until the close of the next session of th,
Senate. The President sends his name Il
that body next December. The Senst
may refuse IT'S assent on the ground that n
reason exists Why Sterling should not hav
been secure in his tenure. Ii refuses a.
subsequent nominations TO Sterlings plsc
during that term. The result Is that at il
XvSa. stion there is no postmaster, the dutie
of 49,, :. Eice being performed by the deput
S;,Sost o,L,- pay than such as pertains I
his place as depu,.
There is not one o. o IO"t ''C -. - a
Presidential Offices which - nj. NJ. .s -
disposal Of the President immeas>. arc
the adjournment Of the extra seSs-->
the Senate, bat the period Of the new t.
ants Is st the mercy Of that bOdS when il
recouEenes. II the removal is made for
cause other than political the confirmation
Of fitting successor would probably fol,
Low, bat if made merely to give place &c
party sdherents the President is immedi
ateiy IN varisuee with the Senate and the
Whule question must 90 10 the country Of
tbs ensuing election.
The Republican Senate in its entirety
would hardly care to make fight for such
An officer as say Marshal Atkinson, for in
stance, because Il could be shown to the
country that be offended persistentIy and
Asgrantly sgsins. the spirit Of civil service
,-SA<n. He became chairEisn of State
Committee and 10 the success Of party ends
nrost;tuted al the power Of his trust Bat
his would not be test case, for hls term
spssdily expires. President Cleveland viii
hsydly consider IT Just or polite to invite
an issVe with the Senate By making whole
az removals REGARDLESS OF tenure Ger
sa;nls his eondret TINS far IS ia keeping
~i,, he tenor of his pledges in the matter
"A e:s;i service reform.