The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-19
FORTY.NINTH CONGRESS-.
STILLDIsCUsSING TIE EDhUNDS
RESOLUTION.
Speeches BY Senators Brown and
SpOOner-ROutine Proceedings
In the House.

WARRINGTON, uhICh o'-tycfse't'
The Chair laid before the Senat, q
concurrent resolution Of the Legisla-
ture Of Virginia protesting against the
uropoeitiont to place foreign ores on
the free list. Referred.
Senator Oullom called mp his mo-
tion Of Yesterday 10 make the inter
state commerce bill special order Tor
March 30tb! Nv 4
Senator Plat would not object TO |
the motion, but thought the Senate |
should take up the bill Tor the admis-
sion OF Washington Territory when
the present unfinished business should
have been disposed OF. -
Senator Cullomls motion was agreed
Senator Hoar called his motion OF
Yesterday TO make the bankruptcy
hin a special order for March 3lst,
saving, however, that he did not ex-
pect to antsgonize the interstate COM
meree bill. ..4
Senator Hoar's motion was agreed
to-yeas, 80; nays, IA. .
Senator Allison called the urgent
deficiency bill, and the Senate con-
cnrred with the House OF Representa-
tiyes that some OF the items making
mn the sum expended for the funeral
obseauies OF Gen Grant were not
properly Of an "urgent deficiency"
character. The remaining Senate
items were also insisted.
The Senate passed without debate
the bill providing for commission OF
five pertons 10 investigate the alcoholic
LIQUOR traffic, its relations TO revenue
and taxation, and its general economic,
criminal, moral and scientific aspects.
The Senate also passed the bill pro-
viding for the study in the schools the
Territories and TIE District OF Column
bia OF the nature OF alcoholic etimu-
lants and narcotics. The Senate
passed bill TO remove the charge OF
desertion from the records OF the Ad-
iutaut- General Of the army against
soldiers who re-enlisted in the late
war without having received a dis
charge from their FIRST regiments, pro-
vided the Secretary OF War shall be
satisfied that the re-enlistment was not
TO secure bounty.
Senator Logan called up his bill TO
increase the efficiency OF the army
II was amended and ordered printed.
At 2 o'clock the unfinished business
was placed before the Senate, being
the revolutions reported by Senator
Edmunds from the Judiciary Commit
Tee expressing the Ssnste's condemna-
ton OF the Aitorney.General for re-
fusinp 10 furnish rapers called for by
the Senate.
Senator Van Wyck offered as an
amendment to the resolutions the fol-
lowing: "And in all such cases Of re-
moval the matter OF confirmation
thall be considered 10 open session OF
the Senate.
Senator Sewell, occupying the chair,
remarked. 1.-THE amendment will be
printed and lie over"
Senator Brown then took the floor
in opposition to the report OF the ma
ior.ty of the committee. He said it
seemed to him that there was but a
single question at issue between the
President and the majority OF the
Sonata. That question was, had the
President, without the advice and
consent OF the Senate, the power ia
remove Federal officer when In his
opinion the public interest required
such removal2 Senator Brown argued
at length to show that the constitution
conferred the power OF removal on
the President alone, and that 40 the
constitution was the supreme law
that settled the QUESTION, no matter
how many acts OF Congress might
have been passed in violation Of it.
He read from the cont titutioD, and
from speeches OF distinguished men
aud cited opinions Of the Supreme
Court in support OF his position. The
Senate, he said, had no more right Il
demand Of the President the evidences
on which he acted or the reasons fo
his action than 1t had TO demand o
the Supreme Court the reasons for IL
decisions, or TO demand of the Hous'
OF Representatives its reasons for pass
ing particular bill. II had no more
power over the subject than had the
President to ask the Senate for its rea
sons for rejecting nomination. Tit
attempt was q naked, bald usurpatioI
on the part OF the Senate. Senate
Brown maintained the tenure OF Office
law, which he termed IAN absurC
law" was in direct violation OF tn,
constitution, II attempted withou
authority to limit the legitimate powe
which the constitution conferred OF
the President in making removal
from office. In conclusion, Senate
Brown said the people of this countr,
constitute the high court of appeals
and il is the Judgment OF that higl
court not that the PREF ideut has use,
the power OF removal, but that he ha
failed to use il with sufficient energy
II there Is any charge against him i
the popular mind, Il is not the char 9
Of commission but the charge Of omli
sion-not that he has made miI
takes in making appointments Z
removals from office doubtless b
has made some), but that hi
mistake has been emitting to use Oh
power in sufficient force. When tn
people OF the United called TO the hig
and responsible position he now fit
and placed in his bands as a grel
trust the executive power of this go
ornm6nI, Juoy eApeCtou tudI IN ChII
ing out his policy he would put /
office, and retain in office as his assis
ants, persons Of ability and integrit
who concur in his policy, and a
ready to render important and fait
ful service in carrying it TO execution
It was not the intention Of the poop
that the executive offices OF the 90
eminent should be filed with polite
spies, plotting how they soonest ca
overthrow the administration AZ
sympathige with those who from q
outside make war upon il, than the
do with the President and his irien
who are attempting to sustain his pr
icy which ia intended to advance Il
beat interests of the country. Let q
President exercise the power 90
ferred on him byt constitution, al
remove from Office those who are n
in accord with his administration al
not ready to do faithful service in Al
ing 10 carry ont his policy, and
their places with honest, capable m
who ar ethe friends Of the administ
ton, and the universal acclamaiion