Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-02-25
GEO. +. EDMUNDs.
JOHN j. INGALLS,.
S. ]. r. MCMILLAN.
GEO. +. HoAR.
JAMES +. WILSON.
WIN. NJ. EvARTs.
THE REPORT ACCOMPANYING THE ED
MUNDs RESOLUTIONS.

AH1@ IN
MUNDs RESOLUTIONS.
The report accompanying the Edmunds
resolutions is very elaborate, making ov
er ten thousand words. 1t states that on
July nth, 1885, the President, pursuant
to the provisions of section 1853 of the
revised statutes, suspended Geo. NJ. Dus-
kin from the execution of the office of
district attorney of the southern district
of Alabama, and on the same day, pur-
suant to the same statute, designated J.
d. Burnet to perform the duties of such
suspended officer, in the mean time by a
letter Of authority.
The nomination of Burnet was, in due
course, referred to the committee on iu-
dietary.
Since the passage of the act, March Cd,
1867, regarding the tenure OF certain civil
offices, it has been the practice of the
committee to ask for the papers and in
formation touching the conduct of the
officer proposed to be removed and the
character of the person proposed to be
appointed. In no instance, until this
time, has the committee met with any
delay or denial in the respect of furnish.
ing such papers and information, with a
single exception, in which the delay and,
suggested DENIAL lasted but two or three
days.
The report then reviews the subsequent
action of the committee and quotes the
resolution adopted on January 25th, di-
recting the Attorney General to transmit
TO the Senate documents bearing on the
case and the Attorney Generals reply, to
the effect that the public interest will
not be promoted by the compliance with
said resolution
In concluding his report he asks,
''why should the facts, as they may ap-
pear from the papers on file, be suppress
ed?' rs it because that being brought
to light it would appear that malice and
Misrepresentation and perjury are
what abundant, or merely that faithful
and competent and honorable officers
have been supended, and are proposed to
be removed under the advice and consent
of the Senate, in order that the places
may be found for party men, because
they are party men or are special objects
of party favor. How does it happen in
this time of suggested reform and purer
methods in the government that for the
first time it is thought importune that
historic and administrative facts relating
to the official and personal conduct of of.
ticers of the United States should be
withheld and that the administration of
the government should proceed with
secrecy and mystery as great as in the
days of the star chamber. The high re.
spect and consideration that the Senate
must always have for the executive off,
Ger would make us reluctant to adopt
either theory; but at present an impene-
trable veil remains, and as the committee
is unable to suggest any other solution of
the riddle it must leave it until this veil
is lifted and the opinions Of the govern
ment shall again be known.
In this state of things the committee
feels it to be its clear duty to report for
the consideration of the Senate and for
adoption the above resolutions.
Appended to the report is a statement
showing the number of suspensions by
the President, as indicated by the nomi-
nations received by the Senate during
the first thirty days OF the present SEES
sion, being from the first Monday in De
cember, 1885, to January 9TH, 1886, as
follows: Judiciary 90. finance II, com
merce 151, public lands SO, territories 4,
Indian affairs IS, p%ostofices 27S, foreign
relations 5, pensions 8.