Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-02

1867 was passed and within less than Ave
weeks after the Inauguration OF che President
IN political accord with both branches Of Con-
gress the sections of the act reguat-
ing suspensions from oiiice during
the recess Of the Senate We're
entirely repealed and in their place were sub
ettuted provisions which, ms cad of limiting
tle causesOi suspension To misconduct, crime,
disability, or disqualification, expressly per
inllteu such suspension by the president, IN
his discretion ana completely abandoned
the requirement obliging him TO report 60 the
senate evidence and reasons" for his action.
GRANTS nENUNCGArIoN.
With these notifications ana with all the
branches OF tue government in political har-
mony, and in the absence OF partisan incen-
tive TO captiOuS obstruction the law as 10 was
left bv the amendment of 1869 was much less
destructive OF executive discretion, and yet
the great General and atriOtc citizen who,
on March L. 1859, assumed the duties OF Chlet
Executive and for whose freer administration
OF his high Office the most hateful restr2unt3Ot
the law Of 1865 were. on April5 1863, removed,
mindful oi his oh igatiup to defend and protect
every prerogauyG OF his great trust, ana,
appreheneivc Of injury, threatened the pub
nc service in the continued operation OF these
slatutes, even in their modified form, set
lortii theiI unconstitutional character and
huitiul tendency IN the following language;
1t may be well 10 mention hare the eDibaI'-
rasslnOnt possible 10 arise from leaving Ou the
statute boot the so-called tenure OF once
acts and to earnestly recommend their total
repeRl.p
INTENTION OF THE FATHERS.
II could not have been the intention Of the
Trainers oi the constitution, when providing
that appointments made by the President
should receive the consent OF the Senate, that
the latter should have power to retain ia
Office persons placed there by Fe5erai al-
pointmGnt against the viii OF the President.
The law Is inconsistent with a faithful end
efficient administration OF she govern
ment. What faith can an executive
nut officials forced nIm and those
too whom he has suspended for reason? How
viii such officials be likely oserye an admin
lstration which they know does not trust them.
] am unable TO state whether or not tins re
commentator for the repeal of these laws
has been since repeated.
WHY NOT REPEATED.
II it has not, the reason can probably be
found in the experience wlch demonstrated
the fact that the necessities of the political
situation but rarely developed their vicious
character, and so it happens that after an cN-
Istence of nearly twenty years OF
almost innocuons desuetude these laws are
brought forth apparently repeated as wen as
unrepealed. To attempt an Improvements IA
the methods of administration the constitu
tOnality OF these laws is by no means admit
ted, but why should the provisions OF re-
pealed law which required specific cause
FOR suspension and report to the Senate OF the
evidence and reasone, ''be now IN effect APP
piled 10 the present Executive, instead Of the
law afterwards passed and unrepealed, whloh
distinctly permits suspensions by the Pfesl-
denf' ''in hts discretion and carefully Omits
the requirement that "evidence and reasons
for his action IN the.easei shall be reported to
the Senate.
THE SCHEME UNMAsKED.
The requests aud demands which, by the
score, have Tor nearly tbrce months been pre-
sented to tho uinerent departments OF the
government, whatever may be their form,
have but one complexion. They assume the
right OF the Senate TO sit IN judgment upon
the of exclusive discretion and
executive function, for which am solely re-
sponsibe 60 the people, from whom have so
lately received the sacred trust OF office. My
oath to support and defend the cOnsti-
tuition, my duty to the people who
have chosen me to execute the powers OF their
great Office and not TO relInquish them, and
my duty to the Chief Magistracy, which
must preserve unlmpalred in all Its dignity
and vigOr, compel me TO refuse to comply
with these demands. To the end that the
service may be improved the Sc nate is invited
30 the fullest scrutinyo The persons submit
ted 70 them for public office.
FITNESS OF NOMINEES.
In recognition Of the CONSTITUTIONAL power
OF that body to advise and consent TO their
appointn ent shall continue as | have thus
far done to furnish at the request Of the con-
hrming body all the information J possess
touching the fitness OF nominees placed bcfO
them for their action, both when they are pro
posed t. FIJI vacancies and TO take the place of
suspended officials. Upon refusal TO coufrm
reasons for the action OF the Senate nor ques-
ton its determination. cannot think that
anything more Is required 10 secure worthy
ncum bents In public Office than careful ana
Independent q scharge of orr respective du-
ties within their well defued limits. Though
the propriety Of suspensions might be better
assured If the action OF the President was
subject TO review by tho Senate, yet, II the
constitution and laws have placed this re-
sponsibility upon the Executive branch Of the
government, II sh Md not be divided, nor tbs
aa.N nNa
IMPLIED SHORTCOMINGS.
IL has been claimed that the present En-
ecutive having pledged himself not TO
remve officials except for cause, the
fact OF their suspension implies such
misconduct on the part OF su pended
Official a. iujures his character and reputa-
tiOn, and therefore the Senate shOnld review
the case for his vindicatiOn. / have said that
certain officials should not, In my opinion, be
removed during the continuance Of the term
for which they we're appointed. solely for the
purpose Of putting IN their place those
IN political ai1!auon with the
appointing power, and this declaration
was Immediately followed by a description of
ofhc iaI partisanship which ought not TO entitle
those in whom IL was exhibited to considera-
tiOn. It is not apparent how an adherence to
the course thus announced carries with IL the
consequences described. II in any degree the
eu2 gestiOn is worthy OF consideration 10 is 90
bo hoped that there may be a defense against
unjust suspension IN Justice of the Executive.
ALL PLEDGES REDEEMED.
Every pledge which J have made by which
| have placed a Limitation on my exercise OF
the Executive power has been faithfully re-
deemed. OF course. the pretcnce il not put
forth that no mistakes have been committed.
but not a suspension hiss been made except il
appeared to my satisfaction that the public
welfare would bo improved thereby. Many
applications for suspension have been denied.
and adherence 20 the rule laid down 10 govern
my action as 70 such suspensions has caused
-. 20
those who have insisted upon more changes in
Offices.
The pledges I have made were made TO the
people. ana TO them ! am responsible for the
manner IN which they have been redeemed.
/ am not responsible for tho manner I'm which
they have been redeem ed 70 the senate, anu I
am unwilling TO submit nv actions aud ofi-
cial conduct TO them for judgment.
NOT AFRAID OF BEING FOUND FALSE.
There arc no grounds FOR an allegation that
fear Of being found false TO my professions In
nuences me in declining TO submit TO the de-
mands Of tho Sena.e ! have constantly re-
fused to suspend officials. and this
incurred the dispeasnre OF political friends.
Neither She discomfort OF parry friends nor
the allurcmcnts constantly offered of con
nrmatiops Of appOintees conditioned upon
ayowal that SUSPENSIONS have been made on
party grounds alone, nor the threat opposed
in the resolutions now before the senate that
no Combinations wiz be made unless the de-
mands OF tnat body be complied with, are
sufficient 10 discourage on doter mu from fol-
lowing in the way which { am convinced
leads TO bestcr government Of the people.
GhOvER CLENELAND.