Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-03-19
SENATOR KENNA'S SPEECH.

One week ago to-day, the Republican
obstructionists in the Senate were fairly
electrified by an unlooked-for and most
powerful speech delivered by Senator
John Il. Kenna, of West Virginia, in
support OF the Presidents action in re-
fusing to transmit to the Senate certain
papers relating to the suspension from
office of Duskin, of Alabama. In the
course OF his speech, Mr.. Kenna. resur-
rected and read with telling effect the
following letter which President Jackson
sent to the Senate in 1888, and this he
held up as precedent, warrant and
authority for the attitude assumed by
President Cleveland in his present con-
troversy with the Senate:
| 10 the Senate of the United States.
have attentively considered the resolu-
ton of the Senate of the 11th inst, request
ing the President of the United States to
communicate to the Senate copy of the
paper which has been published, and which
purports to have been read by him to the
members of the executive department, dated
the 18th day of September last, relating to
the removal Of the deposits Of the public
and its offices. The executive is n co-ordi-
nate and independent branch of the govern
ment, equally with the Senate, and l have
yet to learn under what special authority
that branch of the legislature has the right
to require of me an account of any commu-
nication, either verbal or in writing, made
to the heads of the departments acting as n
cabinet council. As well might l be re-
quired to detail to the Senate the
free and private conversations 1 held
with those officers on any subject
ing my responsibility to the American people
am willing upon all occasions to explain to
them the grounds of my conduct; and am
willing upon all proper occasions to give to
either branch of the legislature any informa.
tion in NY possession that can be useful in
the execution of the proper duties contidet
to them. Knowing the Constitutional rights
of the Senate, shall be the last man under
any circumstances to interfere with them
Knowing those of the Executive, l shall a
all times endeavor to maintain them agree
ably to the provisions of the Constitution
and my solemn oath to support and defend it
l am constrained, therefore, by n prope
sense of my own self-respect, and of tn,
rights secured by the Constitution to th,
Executive branch of the Government, to de
cline compliance with your request.
ANDREW JACKSON.
In that controversy cold Hickory
held that the Executive was "a co-ordin
ate and Independent branch OF the Gov
ernment equally with the Senate" ant
he denied the right of the latter brancl
of the national Legislature to compel hin
to give it any communication, "eithe
verbal or written" made to the heads c
Departments. In the controversy whicl
the Senate has forced upon Presiden
Cleveland, the latter treats as "confider
tial" such letters as the Senatorial oh
structionists have asked him to TRANSMIT
for their inspection, and will not surrer
} der them.
1 President Cleveland stands on soil
: ground in this fight, and there is II
earthly reason for supposing that tn
Senate will be able to bring him to the
terms or even to effect compromise
Democrats everywhere expect to see hiI
emulate "Old Hickory's" example, an
in the end place in Office men draw
: from the ranks OF his own party, an
| who hold political views in accord wit
l those of the Administration.