Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-02-27

the head OF Departments IN the form OF
commands which have not been com
piled with. But it has sometimes hap
pened where the request TO the Presi-
dent was merely a constitutional one,
leaving it to his discretion whether the
papers should be communicated or not,
that they hive not been communicated.
II would seem to be needless, the report
says, to assay further precedents out OF
the mass that exists in the journals OF
both houses concerning nearly every
year OF the existence OF the government.
the practical construction Of the consti-
tuition IN these respects by all branches
OF the Government for so long perio |
would seem upon acknowledged princi-
pies TO settle what are the rights and
powers OF the two Houses OF Congress
IN the exercise OF their respective duties
in every branch of the operations of the
government and it is submitted with
confidence chat such rights and power.
are indispensable to the discharge o.
their duties, and do not infringe any
right OF the executive and that it does
not belong to either heads Of depart
ments or the President himself to take
into consideration any supposed motives
or purposes that either house may have
in calling for such papers, or whether
their possession or knowledge of their
contents could be applied by either
House, to useful purposes. The juris-
dlction OF the two Houses Of Con gress
to legislate, and the power to advise or
withhold advice concerning treaties and
appointments necessarily involves the
Jurisdiction to officially know every step
and action OF the officers of the law and
all the facts touching their conduct in
the possession of any department or even
in the possession OF the President him
self.
In excluding the report asks: "Why
should the facts as ay appear from the
papers on file be suppressed? Is it
ecause that being brought to light it
ould appear that malice, misrepre-
81 ntation and perjury are somewhat
undant; or merely that faithful, com
pttent and honorable officers have been
su pended, and are proposed to be re-
moved under the advice and consent of
the Senate. in order that places may be
found for party men because they are
panty men, or are the special objects of
pr'y favor? How does it happen in
dis time of suggested reform and
purer methods in Government that for
the first time it is thought important
that the historic and administrative
facts relating to the official and personal |
conduct OF officers OF the United States
,hould he withheld and that the admin
stratlon OF the Government should |
proceed with secrecy and mystery a,
great as in the days OF the star chamber?
The high respect and consideration that
he Senate must always have for tn,
executive Office would make it reluc-
tant to adopt either theory. But al
present the unpenetrab'e veil remain,
and as the committee is unable to sug
gest any other solution of the riddle il
must leave it until this veil is lifted and
the opinions OF the Government shall
again be known"
In this state Of things" the commit
tee feels it to be its "clear duty" t.
report for the consideration of the SEN
ate and for its adoption the above reso-
lutions. Appended to the report is a
statement showing the number of sus
pensions by the president as indicated
by the nominations received at the
'enate during the first thirty days OF
he present session being from the first
Monday in December, 1885, to Jan. 5,
1856, as follows Judiciary, 60; finance,
Il; commerce, Isl; public lands, 80;
Territories, 4; Indian affairs, 16; post
offices, 27S, foreign relations, 8; pen
ons, 6.