The Harrison times. (Harrison, Boone Co., Ark) 1876-1938, 1886-07-10
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

A'di my VIC WYNN lii1 why f1'iA"-
tor from Vermont has shown more
than usual tendency towards
new departures, There have been
occasional Edmund's sensations at
the Capitol ever since the sena-
tors ambition turned squalely to-
wards the White Honse, but three
freaks in the same week are some
thing extraordinary.
In the first place Mr., Edmunds
created a real sensation by APP
pearing in the galleries of the
Senate Chamber us the escort of
bridal couple from his state. He
was never seen with a plain, quiet
constituent before, and it was re-
garded rs positive proof that his
fences are rickerty this time, and
that his Senatorial contest is real
Very few Senators dare to ignore
the claims made upon them by
their constituents as Edmunds
has done, but he has never had
any real opposition to his re-elec-
ton until now, He sat by this
honeymoon couple for quite
awhile, pointed out to them the
various Senators, and even gra-
ciously explained to them some of
the features of the debate, while
the Senators on the floor exchang-
ed significant chances over his UNI
paralleled devotion.
Mr.. Edmund's next new depart
ure was the new attitude he as
sumed on the subject of the SEN
ate's jurisdiction over the Presi-
dents nominations to office, and
his suspensions and removals
from Office. He introduced bill
in the Senate which proposes to
give the President absolute power
to make all the appointments to
office which now he can make on
ly "by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate" Accord
ing to this bill the Senate is to
have nothing whatever to do in
the future with either appoint
ments or removals. There will be
no more need for executive ses-
sions, either secret or open.
The Senator erected Il third SEN
sation by Directing to second
reading of the joint resolution,
which had previously passed the
House, to provide for the expendi-
lures of the Government for the
next ten days following the last
day of June, the end of the fiscal
.YeaF. This caused an unusual
outlook for the first day of the
new fiscal year, and the Executive
Departments opened in conse-
quence on the first day of July, |
without funds for the payment of
any of their employees.
This is an unprecedented |
emergency so far as l know"
said L. S. Treasurer Jordan. No
new business of any kind can be
done, no disbursements can be
made, and unless action be taken
before the end of July, no Gov
eminent official, not even the
President, can get his months sal
airy. Senator Edmunds purpose |
was to emphasize and call public |
attention to the repeated failures
of appropriation bills to reach the
Senate in time for due delibera-
ton and seasonable action before
the end of the fiscal year Il pur-
pose which is approved by both .
the Democrats and Republicans
of the Senate.
Under the law which forbids .
any Department to expend money
in any fiscal year in excess of APP
preparations, or to involve the .
Government in any contract for
future payment of money in ex-
cess of appropriations, it is ques-
tionable whether the heads of De-
partments have the right to ac-
cept the services of their employ
es with an understanding that
they are to be compensated when
Congress makes the appropria-
ton. The question never came
up before, but it is probable the
Senate will at once pass the emer-
gency resolution passed by the |
II one, o,,J oil will Ia -; ,,I,4 r,,,;,,