Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-24

tyipg very appropriately.
eve all know the character OF General
Jackson. There was something pecuiiar
about the Wiriz business which the public
does not know and that got the old gentle
man indignant; but down to that Tune
every species of resolution touching for
eign affairs of the most delicate character,
touching the operations OF the Army,
touching rank in the Army, touching
every part administration which belongs
not 10 the Senate but to the President, and
belongs to the President Just as exclusive
" as the power to remove or suspend does
If he had power to remove, as ne dld I'M
der the law, had been passed by the Senate
and answered BY the President"
presume that the Senator from Yer
mont had forgotten that perhaps
THE MOST BITTER CONTROVERSY
that has occurred in the history of this
Government between either of the branches
Of the legislative department and the Ex;
ecutiye occurred between the Senate and
President Jackson touching that very
question of the transmission Of papers on
the request of the Senate.
After General Jackson had ordered the
removal of the deposits, and had gone 80
tar az TO remove Secretary OF the Treas
ury and substituted him by another IN
order to affect that removal, it was made
known by the public press to the country
that in the course of those events ne had
promulgated to his Cabinet a paper con-
tanning his views on that subject. Not
only was that paper read to his Caoinet
but it was promulgated to mankind; 1t
went into the newspapers, on to the public
highways and byways. Everybody had 1t.
There was no citizen Of this Republic, how
ever humble, who. had not seen that paper
if he wanted to see it. Mr.. Clay, OF Ken
lucky, offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the President OF the
United States be requested to inform the
Senate whether the paper under date OF
the 18th day of September, 1888, purPort-
ing to have been read by him to the heads
of the several Departments, relating TO the
deposits of the public money in the Treas
ury of the United States, and alleged to
have been pu5lished by his authority, be
genuine or not; and II 1t be genuine that
he be also requested 70 cause copy oil tue
said paper to be laid before the Senate.
That was an inquiry touching a docu
ment. which, as have stated, had been
GIVEN TO ALL TEE WORLD.
There was no secrecy, 10 privilege about
it, save and except the privilege Of the ex
ecu,ive department to protect itself against
understandable interference by co ordi
nate department OF the Government. But
when that interference was attempted II
was repudiated in that as in every other
instance of that illustrious man. Presi
dent Jacksons reply was as follows:
ITO the Senate ofthe United States:
al have attentiveIy considered the reso
luton of the Senate, OF the llth instant
requesting the President Of the United
States to communicate to the Senate a
COPY Of the paper which has been publish
ed, aud which purports to have been read
BY him to the heads of Executive Depart
ments, dated the 18th day of September,
last, relating to the removal OF the deposits
Of the public money from the Bank OF the
United States and its offices.
The executive is q CO ordinate and IN
dependent branch of the Government
equally with the Senate; aud | have yet C
learn under what constitutional authority
that branch of the Legislature has right
TO require OF me an account OF any com
N unicstion, either verbally or in writing
made to the heads Of Departments acting
as Cabinet Council. AS we'll might | b.
required to detail to the Senate the free
and private conversation | have held with
those officers on any subject relating to
their duties aHd my own.
Feeling my responsibility to the Ameri
can people, | am willing upon all occasions
to explain to them the grounds of my con
duct; and am willing upon all proper oc'
cssious to give either branch OF The Legis
lature any information in my possession
that can be useful in the execution of the
appropriate duties con6ied to them.
Knowing the constitutional rights Of
the Senate, | shall be the last man, under
any circums ances, TO interfere with them
Knowing those of the Executive, shall a,
all times endesvor to maintain them agree
ably to the provisions Of the Constitution
and the solemn oath / have taken to sup
port and defend it.
Il am constrained, therefore, by proper
sense Of my own seltrespect and OF the
rights secured BY the Constitution to the
executive branch of the Government, to
decline q compliance with your request.
ANDREW jackson"
Mr.. President, there is something said in
the report of the majority OF the committee
which practically adopts the whole
REPORT MADE IN 1912,
think, touching the removal of a Nj.
Sylvester by Hon. John c. Spencer, Secre-
tary Of War. l shall have occasion later TO
refer again to that report. only desire
TO do so now in order TO indicate, as the
report itself does, the fact that in that
instance when papers touching removal
by the Executive or by one of his principal
sabordinstes were asked for by the Senate,
they were declined, as they had been BY
President jackson aud President Washing
ION before. In his response the Secretary
OF War said:
The letter dismissing Mr.. Sylvester was
made public record Of the Department
and | therefore transmit copy of it here
With, agreeable to your request. There i0
no other paper OF the description specified
in your request or relating to the subject
on the files of this Department, nor is there
any in my possession which IS not ola con-
idential character. The faithful discharge
of the duties devolving upon heads OF De
psrtments frequently renders it of essential
importance to preserve confidential CON-
municstions he has received as such, and
private honor as we'll as public policy for
bids that a pledge thus given should be
violated"
A little later q communicat on was
made by the Senate to Mr.. Tyler. / beg
to say in this connection that these are
cases in which the issue was made between
the Executive Snd the Senate, No man
denies, go far as | am aware, the perfect
freedom OF the Senate 10 call upon the
President of the United States for any pri
vate letter in his pocket i: it chooses; but
take it no rational man will deny the per
10 nth tho no mo fropdoy,, IN da alina