The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-22
PRESIDENT AND SENATE.

The Latter Wants Reasons for Removals, and
Will Find a Way to Obtain Them.
Washington Special.
One of the most prominent Republican sena-
tors, speaking of the controversy between the
Senate and the executive, said
"rhere is a very general misunderstood as to
the attitude of the Republicans in the Senate
No one has for moment coutended, so far as |
know, that the Republicans demand of the Presi-
dent the reasons why he had made any appoint
ment. The mental processes by which he has
arrived at the conclusion to appoint any partlcu-
lar man do not concern the Senate. The Senate
does not ask to know what they are. But the
Senate does ask what the charges are which
have caused the suspension Of any officer and
that information the Senate has the right to ask,
and expects to obtain. If it cannot be obtained
In one way, it can in another.
1T is known in many localities throughout the
country that the former incumbents of federal
Senate, under the Constitution, is required to
advise and consent to the suspension OF these
officers, and to pass upon the validity of these
charges. We know that in all the departments
these charges are matters of record They are
contained in letters. affidavits, copies of news
papers, statements of various kinds made in
writing. Many of them have been seen by SEN
ators as individuals It is the production of
these charges, or documents, or records or what
ever one may choose to call them, that the SEN
ate desires.
''The use of the word reasons in the commu-
nications which have been sent by some of the
committees of the Senate to the heads of depart
ments, was i'll ll-advised and misleading, and does
not represent the wishes of the Senate If the
President understands the Republican position
it seems impossible that ne can decline to in
struct the heads of departments to furnish the
Senate with these charges. If. when understand
ing the position of the Senate, the President
shall refuse to comply with these reasonable and
constitutional requests. there is constitutional
way by which the Senate can secure these
charges, and to that way the Senate will, un-
doubtedly. have recourse.
'It is in the power of the Senate to authorize
its committees to send for persons and papers,
and every Cabinet officer under this government
is certainly within. the meaning of the Constitu-
ton. The charges on file in the departments are
papers, and by sending for these papers, the
charges can be secured There are abundant
precedents for this. When Mr.. Sherman was
Secretary of the Treasury he frequently respond
ed to summons from the committees of Congress,
and brought with him the records of the depart
ment This right the Senate has exercised from
early in the history of the government In the
annals of Congress it will be found that in the
year 1889 the Senate issued an order directing
the Secretary of State to appear with certain pa
pers.
1.-The language used was not the language of
courtesy. The Secretary of State was ordered
by the Senate to appear. The power which was
exercised in 1889 exists in 1856 This is the Re-
publican position. and it is ali that there is
in it.
mo one asks for the Presidents reason for
making any appointments The Senate requests
the production of the charges upon which sus-
pensions were made The subsequent appoint
ments can take care of themselves without any
conflict. The President has made the appoint
ments fo- reasons which seemed good to him; the
Senate can confirm or reject them for reasons
which shall seem good to it,"