The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1886-03-06

injury threatened to the public service in
the continued operation of these statutes,
even IN their modification, in his first mes
sage to Congress advised their repeal and
set forth their unconstitutional character
and hurtful tendency. l am unable to
| state whether or not this recommendation
| for
THE REPEAL OF THESE LAWS
| has been since repeated. il it has not, the
| reason can probably he found in the ex-
| perience which demonstrated the fact that
| the necessities OF the political situation
but rarely developed their vicious char
acter and as it happens that after An ex-
tens ion Of nearly twenty years OF almost
obsoleteness, these laws are brought forth
appa rently repealed rs well as unrepealed
and put in the way Of an Executive who is
willing, if permitted. to attempt an i'm
provement in the methods OF adminstra
ton. The constitutionality of these laws
is by no means admitted, but Why should
the pro visions OF repealed law, which
required Il specific cause for suspension
and a report to the Senate OF evidence
and reasons" he now in effect applied to
the present Executive instead OF the law
afterw rds passed and unrepealed which
distinctly permits suspensions by the
President in his discussion. and carefully
omits the requirement that ''evidence and
reasons for his actions in the case' shall
be reported to the Senate.
REQUESTS AND DEMANDS,
which, by the score, have for nearly three
months been presented to the different De-
partments of the Government, whatever
may he their form have but one object.
They assume the right OF the Sena te to sit
in judgment upon the exercise OF my pre-
kI,o f,apN fnR vvhich I q
solely responsible to the people, from whom
have 80 lately received my sacred trust OF
Office. My oath to support and defend the
Constitution my duty to the people who
have chosen me to the Executive powers OF
their great office, and not to relinquish
them. and my duty to the Chief Magistracy,
which l must preserve unilnpaired in all it's
dignity and vigor, compel me to refuse to
comply with these demands. To the end
ate is invited to the fullest scrutiny OF the
persous submitted to them for public
office. In recognition OF the Constitutional
power of that body to advise and consent
to their appointment, 1 shall continue
as l have thus far done to furnish
at the request OF the confirming body,
all information possess touching
tho fitness of nominees placed before thom
for their action. both when they are pro-
posed to fill vacancies and to take the
places of suspended fficials. Upon the re-
fusal to confirm, shall not assume the
right to ask the reasons for the actirn OF
the Senate nor question it's determination.
cannot think that anything more is re-
quired to secure worthy incumbents il. the
public Offices than a careful and independ
ent discharge OF our respective duties
within their well defined limits. Though
by prOpriety suspensions might he better
assured if the action Of the President was
subject to review by the Senate, yet If the
Constitution and laws have placed this re-
sporsibility upon the Executive Govern
.ment it should not be divided nor the dis
cretion which it involves be relinquished.
1t has been claimed that the present Execu
tive. having pledged himself not to remove
officials except for cause; the fact OF their
suspension implies such misconduct on the
part OF the suspended official as Injuries
his character and reputati tion, and there
fore the Senate should review the case for
his vindication. l have said that certain
officials should not. in my opinion, he
removed during a continuance OF the term
for which they were appointed solely FOR
the purpose OF putting in their places.
THOSE IN POLITICAL APPLICATION
with the appointing power and this tccl"r-
alton was Immediately followed by des
cription OF official partisanship which did
not entitle those in whom it was exhibited
to consideration. It is not apparent how
an adherance to the cause thus anuunnced
carries with it the consequences described.
II in any degree the suggestion is worthy ot
consideration it is to be hoped that there
may be defense against any unjust sus-
pension by the Executive Every ple6"e
which I have made and by which have
placed a limitation upon the exercise of my
executive power has been faithfully re-
deemed. but OF course no pretense is pat
forth thai no mistakes have been COM
lntteti, but no suspension has been made
except rs it appeared TO My satisfaction
that the public welfare sinult; be inn
proved thereby. Many applications for
suspension have been denied and my ad
herance to the rule laid down to govern
my action as to such suspenslon
have caused much irritation and impa-
tience on the part of those who have in
sisted on more changes in Office. The
pledges l have made were made to the
people and to them am responsible for
the manner in which they have been re-
deemed. I am not responsible to the
Senate, aud | am unwilling to submit nv
actions and official conduct to them for
Judgment. There are no grounds for an
allegation that the fear Of being found aise
to my professions influences me in declining
to submit to the demands OF the Senate. l
have not constantly refused to suspend
officials and thus incur dispeasure Of
political friends and yet wilfully broken
faith with the people for the sake of being
false to them. Neither the discomfort
OF party friends nor the allurements
constantly offered Of confirmstions Of ap-
pointees conditioned upon an avowal that
suspensions have been made on party
grounds alone. nor the threat proposed in
the resolutions now before the Senate, that
no combinations will be made unless the
demands OF that body he complied with,
are sufficient to discourage deter me
from following in the way which am CON
WINGED leads GA better Government for
the people. GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion. Washington. y. c.,
March I 1886.
At the conclusion OF the reading ot the
document, Mr.. Edmunds said that it re-
minded him OF communication OF King
Charles |. That it was the first time in
the history OF the United States that Il
President had attempted to interfere with
the prerogatives OF Congress. Howev. he
did not think that in these times :tnythin.
was extraordinary. The message was re-
ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
After the remarks OF Mr.. Edmunds the
Senate went into Executive session and
then adjourned.