Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-24
will be read.
The Secretary read as follows:
TREAeURY DEPARTMENT,

The Secretary read as 1oiloWs:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
November II, 1877.
"SlR: Your letter dated the 18th instant
was received only this morning, and | take
the earliest moment to reply to II.
ITO answer in an official way the queS'
tons put to me- would not only compel me
to violate that trust and confidence reposed
in me By the President, necessary for
the transaction Of the business Of this De.
partment, but to disclose papers Of a conf.
Dental character filed in the Department
and require me to enter into the discus
sion Of ques ions totally imnsterial to the
nominations submitted to the Senate. |
do not think it within the just limits Of the
intercourse of the Senate with executive Of.
Gcers to answer in writing, or even verbal
ly, all the questions submitted by you, nor
have | ever known such an instance.
The President has the power to nomi-
nate to the Senate o proper person for col.
lector of the port OF New York, whether
that Office be already vacant or not, and it
it i, within the power Of the Senate 10
either confirm or reject.
These are independent powers. No
law requires the President to give the res.
sons for bis nominations, and it does not
appear that in this case the Senate even
has directed this inquiry. The tenure Of
Office act required of the President the
reasons OF a suspension made during the
recess Of the Senate, but this provision, a.
ter very brief period, was repealed. To
answer your questions would compel me
to state to a committee Of the Senate the
reasons of an appointment by the Presi-
dent, to Disclose confidential conmunica-
tons between the Presideut and the Sec.
Rotary, and to enter into an arraignment
and accusation OF the officers superseded
In the free exercise OF Independent powers
it is the common practice, az we both
know, for members OF the Senate to have
fnll conference With tie heads Of Executive
Departments on all matters in which the
concurrent action of the PRECEDENT and the
Senate ia required, and therefore 1t will
give me pleasure 10 confer with the com.
mittee, or any member Of it, on the sub
ices Of the fitness Of the appointment Of
Mr. Roosevelt to the office OF collector o!
the port Of New York.
ut Will also give me pleasure to furnish
10 you, or 10 the Cons i'tee on Com mercs,
Or TO any member Of the committee, in the
usual way, the several reports OF the COM
mission on the New York custom house,
1pon which mainly the action CT the Pres.
mt was taken. As the investigation pro.
PRESSED these reports made il Of the highest
public importance that change should be
made in the leading officers Of that serv-
&c. 1t was because. abuses were thus de.
Ieloped that the President vas convinced
hat il wss incnmp stible with the public
ervice to retain in their present positions
he collector and naval officer.
"The other cases mentined by you under
be same envelope will Do governed By
hat Ia here stated, and with these Limits
ill be happy to confer with you or the
ommittee a. your convenience.
VERY respectfully,
"JoHS SHEKNAS, Secretary.
"Hon Roscoe CoSKLlxG, q
Chairman Committe on Commerce United l
States Senate
Mr.. Ksnna--I very respectfully submit .