Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-03-06

missal of such minister On refusal through the
rapid and effectual alinstrunentality OF vote OF
want of confidence, and the continental con-
gress had, foy more than ten years, itaclf gov
erned the country, and had control OF all pap
ers and records, not by reason o: anything
expressed in the articles Of confederation, but
by reason of the intrinsic nature of free gov
erument. The jurisdiction of the two houses
of congress to iegia!a,e, and the power to ad-
wise or withhold advice CO cerning treaties
and appointments, necessarily involves the
jurisdiction 10 officially know every step and
action OF the officers OF the law, and all the
facts touching their conduct in the possession
of any department, or even in the possession
Of the President himself. There was 10 need
10 express such q 20 yer. for II was neces sari-
ly inherent incident TO the exercise OF the
power granted.
Ii will be observed that in this instance the
call for papers covered period of more than
six months. during which the regular incum-
bent Of TIE office had been discharging it's
duties, and also the further period of more
than six months, during which the person des-
iSnated to discharge those duties had teen act
ing, and that person is the one now proposed
TO be appointed to the place. 1t will be obser-
we'd that the President has not undertaken TO
remove the incumbent of the office, but has
only, in the expressed and stated pursuance
Of the statutes on the subject, suspended that
officer, and that the same statutes expressly
provide that such officer
SHALL NOT BE REMOVED
without the advice and consent OF the senate,
and that IL that advice and consent be rot Civ
en- the incumbent would unless his regular
term or oftce should have previously expired)
at the close of this session of the senate be re-
stored tothe lawful right to exercise its duties.
The Senate, then, by this nomination is ask
ed to advise and consent to the removal Of the
incumbent and TO the appointment of the can
didate proposed for bis place. In exercising
its duty in respect to these questions, it is
plain that the conduct and management OF the
incumbent is a matter absolutely essential to
be known by the Senate, in order that 1t may
determine whether il can rightly advise his
removal or rightly leave him TO resume the
functions OF his Office ct the end of its session,
KS we'll as whether the candidate proposed has
in the exercise of the Cfice under his deslgna-
tiou so conducted himself as to show that he
is competent and faithful. Indeed it may be
stated with entire accuracy that even in case
of vacancy Ia an office and the proposed III
ing of such vacancy, it is important for the
Senate 10 know the previous condition and
management of the office, the state of its af-
fairs. whether there rs been cases OF miscou-
duct or abuse Of power. the ENLIGHTENMENT of
money, and. indeed, all the circumstances
bearing upon the administration, in order that
it may judge of the suitsblenqss of appointing
aparticuar person to take up its duties with
reference TO the difficulties that may exist in
its affairs, the state of the sccounts, and ev-
erythng concerning it's administration was to
measure the fitness ard competency OF the
particular candidate TO meet the emergencies
of the case
A table is presented showing large numter
OF pei sons appointed in the place of officers
suspended and the query is made: Have these
suspended Officials, or any considerable num-
Der of then been guilty OF misconduct in of.
fee or any personal conduct making them un-
worthy to be longer trusted with the perfor-
nance of duties Imposed upon them by law?
If they have, it would seem TO bs clear that
every consideration of public interest and of
public duty would require that
THE FACTS SHOULD BE KNOWN
10 order that the Senate may understandingly
and promptly advise their removal, and that
the most careful rcrutiny be had in respect to
selecting their successors as well as In respect
of providing better means aud safeguards by
legislation for administering the laws of the
United States. Such information it would
seem the executive is determined the Senate
chs NOT nnsaase for tho aIIaoei raa aop that N
might enable the Senate to unders,a and what
circumstances connected with the faithful
execution of the laws Influenced the President
10 exercise the discretion the statute confers
upon him TO suspend them. and ask the Senate
to unite with him in their removal from office.
Toe reports quotes the passage on civil SER
vice contained in the Presidents annual mes
sage and says: This highly important and
valuable officisl ommunication in the pres
ence o. 6i3suspeDsions from flee, would sc. IN
to lesd to the conclusion that this number of
the civil officers Of the United States selected
to be suspended and removed had been SO
direlict in the performance of their functions
Q? guilty of such pei sonal misconduct as to
put them in the category of unfaithful public
servants, deserving dismissal by the President
and the Senate ard the condemnation OF their
coun,rymen. In such a state of things we
think that the common feLse CT justice and
fair play that is so much prized, as we believe,
ty the people OF the L Uaited States would re-
quire that in some way this large body of men
should have an opportunity TO know the sub
stance of the alleged misdoings in order that
they may either admit their guilt Or denying it..
explain their conduct or show that the accusa-
tions against them were selfish and wicked
pretexts, and set up for the mere purpose Of
obtaining their suspension and ultimate dis
missal from office in order that
OTHERS LESS CAPABLE AID WORTHY
might at once receive the honor and emolu-
ments of their places.
1t is known to every Senator that SO far as
the Senate has had TO do both with removals
and appointments, 1t has for great number
Of years been its practice when an officer or
person was before It for removal or appoint
ment against whom any serious accusation
has been made, which would, II true, influence
the action OF the Senate Ia the case, to cause
the person concerned to be informed OF the
substance Of the complaint against him. and
give him an opportunity to defend himself:
and it is also known that at this very season a
very considerable number OF instances Of
that kind have occurred and are daily occur
ring.
II the Senate 10 proceeding upon false prin.
g,, a,,,h tnats {s htOh ftyna that n