Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-19
WASHINGTON NEWS,
Edmunds' Resolution in Regard to the
Senatorial PrerOgatives and Natl, n al
Appointments.
WASHINGTON. Feb. Is

! Senatorial PrerOgatives and National
| Appointments.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Is
Senator Edmunds, Wednesday, reported
the following resolutions from the Senate
committee on judiciary, accompanied by a
long repert:
Resolved That the foregoing report of
the committee on the judiciary be agreed to
and adopted.
Resolved. That the Senate hereby ex-
presses its condemnation of the refusal of the
attorney general, under whatever influence
to send to the Senate copies of the papers
| called for by its resolution of the 25th of
January and set forth in the reports of the
committee on Judiciary as in violation of his
official duty and subverslve of the fundamen-
tai principle of government and of good ad-
mnistration; therefore,
Resolved. That it is, under those circum-
stances, the duty of the Senate to refuse its
advice and consent to proposed removals of
officers, the documents and papers in refer
ence to supposed official or personal miscon-
duct of whom are removed by the executive
or any head of the department when deemed
necessary by the Senate and called for in
considering such matters.
Resolved, That the provision of Section
|
persons honorably discharged from the mill
tary or naval service, by reason of disability
resulting from wounds or sickness incurred
in the line of duty, shall be preferred for ap-
pointments to civil office, provided they are
found to possess the business capacity nee
essary for the proper discharge of such Of
flee, ought to be faithfully and fully put in
execution, and that to remove or TO pro-
pose to remove any such soldier, whose
faithfulness, competency and character are
above reproach, and to give his place to an
other who has not rendered such service is a
violation of the spirit of the law and of the
practical gratitude the people and government
of the United States owe to the defenders of
constitutional liberty and the integrity of the
government, all of which is respectfully SUBJ
mitted
(Signed.) GEO. +. EDMUNDs.
JOHN j INGALLS,.
S. j. Il. MCMILLAN.
GEO. F. HoAR.
JAMES F. WILSON.
WIN NJ. EvARTs
The report recites the facts and the cir
cumstances of the removal of Dustin and the
appointment of his successor as United States
attorney for the south district of Alabama
1t declares it has been the uniform practice
of the judiciary committee since the passage
of the tenure of Office act, to call upon the
heads of Departments for all papers and in
formation in the possession or the department
and to find out the conduct and administra-
ton of the officer proposed to be removed and
the character and conduct of the person pro-
posed to be appointed This has been done
with the unanimous approval of all members
although the composition of the committee
has been during the period sometimes of one
political character and sometimes of another
In no instance, until this time, has the COM
mittee met with any delay or denial in re-
spect to the furnishing of such papers and
information with single exception. and in
which the exception, delay and suggested de-
NAL lasted only for two or three days. Pre-
cedents are cited and discussed at great
length. One of the appendices is a list
showing members of officials OF various ranks
who were suspended or removed by the Pres
ident during the first 80 days of the present
session of Congress.
The Cabinet Meeting.
The principal topic of discussion at the
cabinet meeting today was the action of the
republican senatorial caucus yesterday in re-
gard to suspensions and appointments to
| office. general interchange of views was
| had but it is understood, however, that it
was agreed that no information shall be given
as to what action may be taken by the ad-
muis,ration in this regard until the question
is officially brought to the notice of the ex-
ecutive.
Doings OF the Subcommittee on Post.
Offices.
| Representative Anderson of Kansas today ad-
| dressed the sub committee of the House COM
mittee on post offices, in advocacy of a reso-
luton introduced By him directing the COM
mttee to make an investigation of the man
ner in which the telegraph lines of the Pa
cifc railroad are operated, and to ascertain
whether additional legislation is necessary to
prevent the monopoly of telegraph facilities
| in the western and Pacific States. Anderson
said the charters of land grant railroads re-
aure them TO maintain and use a telegraph
| line in the same sense that they operate rail-
roads As matter Of fact, he said, they
have substantially leased their telegraphic
lines to the Western Union Telegraph Co.
and any rival telegraph company that de-
.ires to be put upon the same footing as the
Western Union is denied that right.
The subcommittee agreed to report the
resolution favorably. and also submit to the
| full committee the question whether 1t should
or should not consider the propositions be-
fore it providing a government contract with
the telegraph companies for the transmission
of kilograms.
More POstmasters.
| The following fourth class postmasters
have been appointed in Maine;
| Bay View, Mrs. Emma Monson; Brock
wavs Mills, James w. Hall; East Deering,
Mrs Emily Knight; Edes Falls, Horstio
Hall; Hampden, Mrs. Ella E. Temple !;
Keene Mills, Fred D. Wing Lakeside, Chas
| Richardson; Parsonsfeld, Lyman A. Brooks !;
Shapleigh, Salem S. Carpenter; Steep
Falls, VIM. D. Mayo; Wells, Mrs. Hattie L.
Miven.