Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-24
HOT SHOT IN THE SENATE
EDMUNDS' OBST8UCTTONISTS
BADLY RIDDLED.

Mr. Jackson Fires Few More Rouuda
or OratOricaI Cannon Bal s. Ar.
George Turns HIS Guns ON the Aristo-
cratic Tendencies of the Upper House.
WASHINGTON, March 23.-ln the Sen.
ate to-day MIR. jackson resumed his speech
on the Edmunds resolutions. Mr.. jack
son inquired whether it was in the line OF
"calm and orderly administration OF the
goyernmenW referred 10 by Mr.. Edmunds
That the Senate should permit all pending
nominations to remain unacted Onto let
vacancies in Office remain untitled, and
have the session close, leaving all those
troublesome constitutional questions to
be raised in the recess2 The papers
called for were wholly irrelevant To the
matter OF filling the office in question.
The power contended for on the other side
that suspended official should resume
the functions OF ce when the Senate
iailed to act on new nomination, was pro-
vlded Tor, Mr.. Jackson said, in the Origi-
nal tenure Of Office bill, but was specific
ally struck out by the committee OF con-
ference.
REMOVALS OR SUSPENSION.
1t was also true, as a matter Of fact.
that Gen. Grant aud other Presidents, in
had used interchangeably words ssre-
moved" and ''suspended" Mr.. Jackson
had examined MANY such cases and bad
found Gen. Grant using the word ''re-
moved" when, In fact, the person desig-
mated as removed had, technically, been
only suspended.
Mr.. Edmunds asked whether such cases
did not occur during the session Of the
Senate.
Mr. Jaoksor ,OCar-od thot tho,, d,a k,,@
was not sure.
Mr.. Edmunds thought they did. He
also said that President HAYES had been
called on to explain whether that form Of
nomination, vice a removed person, wnen
IN fact the person had been suspended,
meant "TemOvar' Of not, and President
Hayes had replied that IL did not imply
anything of the kind, but only meant that
the person was removed II the Senate
should consent 10 the removal. That fact
Mr.. Edmunds said could be found on the
journals OF the senate.
ENCRoACHMENT INTENDED.
Mr.. r.JacksOn in concluding his remarks
said: 81 see nothing in this hut an at
tempt TO encroach on the functions and
rights Of the Executive, and Of ohstruct-
in2 bin and bis administration in their
efforts at reform. No President for tha
past halt century has ever acted with
At iubNtiailbN-NOue Win more con
scientOus regard for public interests, and
yet at the very outset Of his admlnlstra-
ton be is TO be obstructed in this way on
| grounds wholly unwarranted. He may
well app al from this Senate to the coun-
try. for the country will sustain him iB
his action"
ARIsTOCRATICNEss OF THE SENATE.
Mi. George followed, also in opposition
to tde majority report. The American
Senate, DIR. George said, was to-day en-.
gaged In the consideration of a question
OF great moment. ~ was a ella m on the
part Of the Senate OF supremacy over a
! coordinate and independent department.
| OF the government. The Senate, be said.
was the most aristocratic feature of our
government and the least responsible TO
| the people; receiving its authority not
directly from the people, but at secOnd-
baud, 10 WIS but part OF the legislative
| department OF the government. The Yari-
Gus functions OF the government bad been
divided between three departments. No
| part of the scheme OF the constitution had
been deemed Of more Importance, nr more
essen ntial, than this separation OF power
between equal and Independent depart
ments, and the preservation OF the equali-
" OF each OF these departments from en-
croachment or usurpation by the other.
POWER OF REMOVAL.
Mr.. George then argued at some length
the question OF the power of removal un-
| der the constitution. After citing a num-
Der OF authorities, historical aud legal,
10 show that the power had always been
in the President, Mr.. George continued,
that up 70 1867 Presidents had always and
alone exercised this power, and It would
now he base submission 10 usurpation IL
the Pres dent should abandon the powers
vested In bin by the constitution. 1t was
not in the power OF Congress 10 subject
| the President 10 any subserVience or ser-
Witty TO any other department OF the
| government Congress could not grant
new power 10 itself, nor could IL grant
new power 10 an officer. except to enable.
the officer to execute power granted him.
by the constitution. Neither could 10 take
away from any department Of the govern-
ment any Of the powers conferred on il by
the constitution.
THE TENURE OF OFFICE LAW.
Mr.. George then reviewed the history OF
the tenure of Office law and quoted from
debates on that bill % show that the Re-
publicans were not all agreed That it was
constitutional or wise.
Mr. Morgan obtained the floor but
Welded 70 motion offered by Mr. Butler
70 90 Into executive session.
Mr.. EdmuDds opposed the motion with
a view 10 securing an under standing sc
10 when a vote could be reached.
Tue motion vas not agreed 10.
Mr.. UOckrell said seven or eight Sena-
tors YET desired 10 speak. He thought II
difficult now 10 fix an hour when a vote
could be had 1t was finally arranged
that tomorrow afternoon time should be
fixed for the next day or perhaps The day
after when vote should be taken. The
senate then, on motion OF MIR. Butler, at