The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-09-02
A PLAIN ISSUE.
It Now Rests with the Senate Alone to
Show Cause Why an Honest Colored
Democrat Should BE Sighted by the Re-

It Now Rests with the Senate Alone to
Show Cause Why an Honest Colored
Democrat Should BE Sighted by the Re-
p~ublicans.
When President Cleveland came into
Office Frederick Douglass, wno is, next
to Senator Bruce, perhaps the best rep
resentative that the colored race has
put to the front, was occupying the fat
place of recorder of deeds for the Dis
trict of Columbia He had originally
been appointed by Mr.. Hayes, for
the MISUNDERSTOOD purpose of cater
ing to the colored vote, to the po-
sition of United States Marshal of
the Districts place which, under
the well-established Washington
procedure, makes it's incumbent
the usher at the White House recep-
tons. When Mr.. Arthur came to the
Presidency he was quite indisposed to
do any injustice to Mr.. Douglass, but
was equally indisposed to permit a col
ored man to occupy that high social
position. So he appointed him to the
much more lucrative position of re-
| corder of deeds, and put in Morton Nc
Michael, of Philadelphia, as marshal.
| So it was as recorder of deeds that
| President Cleveland found him.
One of the first acts of the new Presi-
| dent was to teach Mr.. Douglass that he
had no social scruples against him.
He was personally invited to White
House receptions even in cases where
invitations were very rare. He was
treated not only like a man, but like a
| gentleman. And when it came time
for him to leave office he-left it with so
kindly an opinion of the Democratic
President that his published card
stands on record as one of the best of
the tributes paid to the personal manli-
ness of that officer. The card is a Wig
orous Republican document; but it is at
the same time a glowing compliment
to the worth Of President Cleveland.
In the place of Mr. Douglass as re-
corder of deeds the President appointed
another colored man-W. G. Mathews,
of Albany. The Republicans of the
Senate, who believe that no colored
man should hold Office unless he votes
the Republican ticket, rejected the ap.
pointment. There was no question Of
the appointee's worth. The rejection
was a purely partisan performance.
And now, after Congress has ad'
journed, the President reappoints the
rejected nominee, Mathews. 1t is
sharp issue with the Senate. If there
has been a similar case in the history
of our country it has escaped us. Yet
the President is a thoroughly sounC
lawyer and not likely to take a step O.
this kind without a full consideration o
all its bearings. Whence does he get
or whence does he think he gets. hi
powerp
Certainly not under clause 2, of sec
ton 2, OF article II. of the constitution
That simply gives the power to nomi
nate, and, by and with the advice an
consent of the Senate, to appoint Ger
tain officers. This consent the Senat
has refused. But clause 3 of the sam
section confers upon him another AM
wholly distinct power, as follows:
1.-The President shall nave power to fill a
vacancies that may happen during the reces
of the Senate, by granting commissions whic
shall expire at the end of their next session.
The retirement of Mr.. Douglass an
the rejection by the Senate of Mr.. Math
ews leaves a vacancy, and the Presi
dent under the above provision, find
, full power to fill the office ad interim
His appointment will go to the Senat
/ again within thirty days after its re
assembling, and it will once more hav
the opportunity of acting upon it.
Cincinnati Enquirer.