St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-20
THE GREAT STRUGGLE.

The fight between the president and the
senate has commenced in earnest, and the
American people will await tue result with a
considerable degree of interest Aside from
partisan considerations, and the effect it
may have in outlining the future policy of
the respective parties. the controversy pre-
sents some questions of constitutional linn
itations of more than ordinary interest, and
will furnish abundant material for discus
sion TO those who are fond of debat-
ing constitutional questions. The prime
consideration in the minds of the
trainers of our national constitution
was TO keep separate and distinct the
powers and privileges of the three depart
ments of govenment-the executive. legis-
lative and judicial. The only instance of
the blending Of powers was that in relation
to the making of treaties and the appoint
ment of a certain class OF public officials
wherein the upper branch of the national
congress is invested with power concur
rent with that of the executive. The presi-
dent is authorized to make treaties and TO
make certain designated appointments of a
high grade with the qualification that it
shall be done with the advice and consent
of the senate. The manner of the senate's
giving or Withholding ''advice and
consent" has always been by confirming
or rejecting the presidents appointments.
So far as the mere act of confirming ap ap-
pointment there is no controversy to-day
between the senate and the executive. The
whole conflict arises from a difference of
opinion as to the matter of removals from
Office. a subject upon which the cOnstitu-
ton is silent. The senate holds To the
theory that removals occupy precisely the
same status that appointments do, and that
the president can only proceed in such cases
with the advice and consent of the senate.
The president, on tine other hand.
holds to the theory that the exec
utive alone is authorized to make
removals and as the constitution
does not invest the senate with authority
to act in conjunction with him i'm this
matter, it is an encroachment upon the
power and prerogatives of the executive
department for the senate to attempt inter
ference in that direction. That is the issue
broadly stated between the president and
cemed, every American citizen. irrespective
of his party relations, must feel an interest
in seeing the dignity of each department
respected and the spirit as well as the
letter of the constitution preserved invio-
late. So far as there is principle in
VOWED in this controversy it is all
Oh the side of the president. His success
means vindcation of fundamental prin-
ciple of constitutional government. His
defeat means the overthrow of the wisest
safeguard with which the trainers of our
constitution invested our form of govern
ment. Whenever one department of gov
eminent is permitted TO uSurp the powers
which belong to another, the principal bar
rier against despotism has been broken
down. Consequently, the president has
the sympathy and support of the patriotic
sentiment of the country in his effort to
maintain the respect and dignity of his own
office, and at the same time TO protect the
constitutional freedom of the people
The Republican leaders in the senate
have shrewdly invested their quarrel with
the president with certain features
which are designed to divert public
attention from the main issue and
to inject false issues which have
no legitimate connection with the contro-
yersy. In the first place they switch off on
to side issue respecting the relations be-
tween the president and his cabinet So
far as practical results go it doesn't make
a particle of difference whether cabinet
officer bases his action on his own indie
pendent Judgment or whether il is based on
the views and wishes of his chief. The pres
ident is the head of his own family, which
consists of his cabinet officers. Whether they
advise with him or not the fact remains
that he is responsible TO the country for theiI
official conduct. So that it is only dis
tinction between tweedledum and tweedle-
dee the senate makes when it attempts &c
force public quarrel over so small mat
ter as whether cabinet officer shall OF
! shall not consult with the president i'm rela-
ton to the affairs of his department. In
the next place the senate lowers its OWL
dignity in an attempt to create the false i'm.
preston that the president is afraid to sub
NIT certain papers on file i'm the executive
office to public inspection. So far from this
assertion being true the president announces
all lapers on file are subject to public in
spectlon, but ne denies the right of the
senate to demand them of him. 1t is very
dirty piece of business on the part of the