National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-02-03

The session OF the Senate was rendered
quite interesting by the continuation Of the
debate on the electoral count bill and its
recommittal to the committee that reported
II. This was rather lame conclusion, con-
sidering the vast amount Of senatorial elo-
quence that has been wasted over the
measure, but the course Of the debate has
resulted in developing such radical obiec-
lions to It's passage in the shape II was
originally reported that q majority Of both
the Republicans and Democrats were in
favor Of sending the bill back, and voted
accordingly. Immediately after converting,
the chair laid before the Senate q letter
from the Secretary Of War, in compliance
with recent resolution Of the Senate, trans
hitting a report of Mai. w. A. Jones, corps
of engineers, regarding river improvements
In Oregon.
Among petitions presented and approprt-
ately referred were several by Mr.. Frye from
various organization OF Knights Of Labor Of
Maine, praying that the territory known as
Oklahoma may be opened TO settlers.
Among measures favorably reported from
committee was Joint resolution by Mr..
Blair, from the committee on woman suf-
frage, providing for constitutional amend
ment extending the right Of suffrage TO
women. Mr.. Cockrell stated that this re-
quest was not the unanimous Judgment Of
the committee, and that the minority re-
served the right to present a written report
I'm opposition TO the measure. The Joint
resolution was placed on the calendar
Mr.. Riddleberger offered the following
resolution:
Rcsolred, That II is the sense of the Senate
that the Executive of the United states Is not
restricted by constitutional law in removing
or suspending appontees; that the Senate has
the right TO require that reasons shall be given
for such removals or suspensions; that 1t Is the
right OF the Senate to call for any paper relat-
ing 10 the conduct of removed or suspended
nppointees, or to the qualification and fitness
ofall persons whose names are presented 70
the Senate for confirmation or rejection, and IL
is the duty ofthei Executive to comply with oil
demands for the same,
In Offering the resolution Mr.. Riddle
berger said his purpose was simply TO bring
the subject up In open debate. 1t did not
involve any so.called high prerogatives Of
the Senate when II should go into secret or
executive session, but only that abstract
question as to whether the Executive could
be called on or required to give reasons for
removals.
He asked for the immediate considera-
ton Of the resolution.
Mr.. Cockrell objected.
Mr.. Pugh said he would submit either
during that session or to-day a substitute
for Mr.. Riddleberger's resolution.
The matter then went over.
Mr.. Morgan's resolution regarding the
trustees provided for In the Utah bill was
then placed before the Senate, and Mr..
Allison thought II inconsistent with the
provisions of the bill named.
Mr.. Morgan admitted it, and justified the
resolution.
Mr.. Ingalls, moved its reference to the
judiciary committee.
Mr.. Morgan commended that according to
the precedent set by the Utah bill every
church organization in the United States
was likely at any time to have trustees for
its management appointed by Congress.
Mr.. Ingalls, motion was agreed to, and
the resolution was referred.
Proceeding to the calendar the Senate
took up the bill providing for tile retire
with the rank of brigadier general instead
Of colonel. Mr.. Sewell, in O few words,
supported the bill, but at Mr.. Logan's sug-
gestion the bill went over. Mr.. Logan said
he did not desire postponement because Of
any objection to the bill, but because when
1t came up he desired to discuss the ques-
tion Of principle involved.
Mr.. Pugh then submitted his substitute
to take the place of Mr.. Riddleberger's
resolution, and asked that 1t be presented
and lie over till tomorrow.
Mr.. Pugh's substitute is es follows:
!. That the executive power is expressly
vested by the constitution In the President of
the United States, so that he shall take care
that the laws be faithfully executed.
That the power of appointment to federal
office Is an executive power to be exercised by
the President, under the Limitation in the con;
stitution that he shall nominate and by and
with the advice aud consent OF the Senate
shall appoint
from the powers and duties OF federal office is
also an executive power, vested exclusively In
the President, without any such Limitation In
the constitution as is imposed thereby on the
power disappointment, and for It's exercise he
Is responsible alone to the people, and not to
l. That the right of the President to make
nominations to the Senate and of the Senate
rate and Independent rights to be exercised by
the President and Senate respectively and sep
arately and independently within their abso-
lutte direction; but, in relation TO the person or
persons so nominated, the Senate may request
Information Of the President affecting the char
acter or qualifications of those as to whose ap'
pointment he asks the advice and consent oil
the Senate.
6. That when the President makes nomina.
tions to the Senate Of persons to be appointed
federal officers who have been removed or sus
pended by him. no law, public duty, or public
policy requires that he shall send or commune
formation within his own knowledge, or con
tanned In any letters petitions papers, or docu
monts addressed to him or any member Of his
Cabinet, or In the possession OF either, and re-
lating TO the subject of removals or suspen
Eions, or containing charges, causes, or rea
sons, and the proof thereof, for making such
removals or suspensions, and no law, public
duty, or public policy requires or authorizes
the Senate to call for such Information existing
IN any such form from the President or any
member of his Cabinet, to enable the Senate
prpQi
dent In exercising his executive discretionary
and exclusive power OF removing or suspend
ing federal officers from the power and dutie.
OF their offices orto put the President on tria
by the Senate, or TO enforce accountability Il
the Senate for anything he may have done IN
the exercise Of such Jurisdiction,
O. That to obtain information considered by
either house, OF Congress useful In passing
necessary and proper laws. either house of Con
grcss may request the President, II not deemed
10 give any information within his knowledge
or contained in any public document OF
records on file or In the lawful custody of any
istration OF any public office, or the official
conduct or acts affecting the Official conduc
or duties of any public officer, but for, thu
Senate to make such request of the President
or TO direct any member of his Cabinet to trans
init to the Senate any Information, or any pub
lie documents or papers in open or executive
session, TO enable the Senate In open or eXeCu
tive session to review the proprety or tht
reason, or the information upon which III
acted, or may have acted, In making removals
or suspensions, would be an attempt to obtair
such Information by false pretenses, and TO
uses and purposes not authorized or justified
by any law or public policy of the United
States, and should the President grant suct
request or require any members of his Cablne
TO obey such direction from the Senate wheI
deemed by him to be made for such unlusti
fable and unlawful uses and purposes. would
be to recognize and encourage an improper
practice, and an injurious innovation upon hi
exclusive and Independent rights, powers, anC
duties as President of the United States.
Mr. IIoar inquired whether the request t.
print included the printing Of the stumE
speech In the belly of the resolution.
Mr. Ingalls, gave notice that, when tn,
original and substitute resolutions should
come up tomorrow, he would move to refe
/ them TO the committee on privileges anC
nleo1iOns for fnrihnr consideration