Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-02
WHEETJNG W. VA, TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 1885,

UK.EHxKnzzEzgy
, robsbly be found in experience WhicI
! demonstrated the fact that the necesslae
{ of the political situation but rarely develop
ed their vicious character. And 80 1t hsp
. mans that after an existence OF neari!
twenty years Of ostinrocuous desuetud'
these laws are brought forth apparently
the repealed as we'll as the unrepesled anc
put in the way of an executive who Is VII
, ling, ifpermitted, to attempt an improve
ment in the methods OF administration
The eonstitutlonslity ofthese laws is By nc
means admitted. But why should the pro
visions of the repealed law, which required
spscifc cause for suspension and
a report to the Senate OF "evI
de,cs and reasons" be now in effect
applied to the present executive instead OF
the law afterward passed and unreported
and which distinctly permits suspension by
the President I'm his discretion and care
fully omits the requirement that evidence
and reasons for his action in the case
shall bsIreported to the Senator
THE DEMANDS REFUSED.
The requests and demands which by
some have for nearly three months been
presented to different 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 exercise Of my exclusive discre-
ton and executive function for which |
am solely responsible to the people
from whom | have 80 lately
received the sacred trust OF office
NV oath to support and defend the ConsIi-
tution, my duty to the people who have
chosen me to exacute the powers of their
great Office and not to relinquish them
and my duty 10 the Chief Mag g'stracy, which
| must preserve unimpaired in all its dig
nifty and vigor, compel me to refuse to
comply With these demands.
JUST P2cPJsAL.
To the end that the service may be i'm
proved, the Senate is inVited TO scrutlnize
closely the character Of persons submitted
to them for public Office 10 recognition OF
the Constitutional power of that body to
advice and consent TO their appointment.
shall continue as have thus far done TO
furnish at the request of the confirming
body all information | possess touching
the fitness Of nominees placed bsfore them
for their action, both when they are to ill
vacancies and to take the place of suspend
ed officials. | pon refusal to confirm |
shall not ssume the right to ask the rea-
sons for the action Of the Senate nor CUES
ton its determination.
cannot think that anything more is re-
qUired to secure worthy incumbents IN pub
lie Office than careful and Independent
discharge OF our respective duties ThOSgh
the propriety OF suspensions might be bet
ter assured if the action of the President
was subject to review by the Senate, yet II
the Constitution and the laws have placed
this responsibility upon the Executive
branch OF the government, it should not be
divided nor the discretion which itinvolved
reliuqnisled.
THE PRESIDENT s POSITION.
1t has been claimed that the present
exexecutive, having pledged itself not to
remove officials except for cause. the fact
OF their suspension implies such miscon-
duct on the part of a supended official as
to injure his character, and therefore the
Senate should review the case for his vim.
dication.
have said that certain officials should
cot, 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 places those in political
affiliation with the appointing power, and
this declaration was Immediately followed
by description Of official partisanship
which ought not to entitls those in whom it
was exhibited to consideration. 1t IS not
apparent how Bn adherence to the course
thus announced carries with it the oonss.
uuences described. Ifin any degree the sug-
gestion is worthy Of consideration, it to be
hoped that there may be defense against
unjust suspension in justice Of the Execu-
tive.
PLEDGES FAITHFULLY REDEEMED.
Every pledge which l have made, By
which have placed Limitation upon my
exercise of Executive power, has been
faithfully redeemed. Of course, the pre-
tense is not put forth that no mistakes
have been committed, but not a suspension
has been made except it appeared to my
satisfaction that the public welfare would
be improved thereby.
Many applications for suspensions have
been denied Snd the adherence to the rule
laid down to govern lay actiGn as to such
suspensions have caused much irritation
aud impotence on the part of thoss who
have insisted upon more charges in office.
The pledges have made were made to
The people aud to them am responsible
lor the manner in which they have been re-
deemed am not responsible to the Sen
ste and am unwilling to submit nay
actions and official conduct to them for
Judgment. There are 10 grounds for
an allegation that the fear Of being
found false to py professions influences
me IN declining to submit to the demands
of the Senate. have not constantly re-
fused to suspend officials and thus in.
Cured the dispIessure of political friends,
and yet wiliully broken faith with the peo-
pie for the sake of being false to them
Neither the discomfort of party friends,
ror the allurements constantly offered OF
confirmation CT sppointees conditioned
upon the svoval that the suspensions have
been made Oh party grounds alone nor
the threat proposed in resolutions now be.
fore the Sena,s that no confirmation will
be made uDless the demand Of that body
be complied with is sufi cient to discourage
or deter me from following in the way l
am convinced leads to better government
for The people,
Signed GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington, D. c.,
March l, 1886.