Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-13

NSht hIbut 10 inc DOuSc VI Rcpicccuta-
tives, dated May a, 1876, declining to
furnish certain information which he
said related exclusively to the Execu-
tive function. lie also read a letter
from Mr.. Sherman, when Secretary of
the Treasury, relating TO the removal
OF Mr.. Arthur from the collectOrship OF
New York, the letter being addressed
to Mr.. Conkling as chairman Of the
Senate committee. In that letter Mr..
Sherman said that TO make the official
reply would compel him to disclose
matters contained in papers of a con-
lidential character filed in the Depart
ment, and require him to discuss
questions totally immaterial to
nominations sent to the Senate ~;
also. that ." no law requires
the President to give his reasons" etc.
After citing other illustrations, Mr..
Kenna stated what he believed to be the
simple truih-namely, that the one
question at issue was whether the pres
ent Chief Executive should be allowed,
in the fulGlment OF his obligation to the
people, 10 administer the Government
through agencies Of his own, Of his own
choice, or be compelled by the obstruc-
tive power Of the majority Of the Sem
ate to administer and be responsible for
the Government through agencies not
of his own choice, and not only so. but
agencies lacking his confidence, and in
a multitude Of cases actually interested
in bringing him and his Administration
into disrepute. The issue after all was
whether a Democratic Administration
should appropriately perform its func-
tons in the face Of negative OBJ
structiyc majority on the other side Of
this Chamber. Applause in galleries,
which drew from the occupant Of the
chair-Mr. Blackburn-an admonition
that evidences OF approval OF disap-
proyal were not allowed
In conclusion, Mr.. Kenna said ::
.: When President Cleveland assumed
the position of the Office Of Chei Execu-
tive of this Government do not believe
there was a citizen in this land who had
any reason whatever to doubt that he
came to the discharge of the duties of
that high Office determined, as far as in
him lay, to devote a conservative and pa
triotic application to the discharge Of his
duties. lbelieye | speak within bolnds
when / say that this whole country knew
that tie one great idea Of service 20
bis county in an acceptable manner in
the high capacity in which iC had Sc
lected him FOR that high service was his
only aspiration. would fail to eX-
press my own candid conviction now if
! did not say that, looking back from
the long line Of his predecessors in that
high Office, and confronting as he may
the issues presented here, he will not
be tic first in suTendering It's high
prcrCgatiye. The Senate may continue.
as hls message indicates, to ply him
and his various subordinate depart
mcnts with harlsslng and embarrassing
issues; il may defeat every nomination
that stands before il fer consideration ;
it may asset in any measure. arbi-
trailly or otherwise, every prcrogltiyc
granted or not granted in the Constitu-
ton: but | mistake that man if he does
not stand firmly to his post, maintain
his sworn duty under the Constitution OF
his country, maintain every prerOgatiye
Of his high Office, and transmit It unim-
pared to his successor
Mr.. Kenna spoke until $50 p. VI.
Mr.. Cullom then obtained the floor,
but the Senate went into executive ses-
slons and at o'clock adjourned.
House Of Representatives.
On motion Of Mr.. Morrow. Of Cali
iornia, resolution was adopted accept
ing an invitation from the Senate that
the House attend IN a body the funeral
services for the late Senator Miller to
be held in the Senate chamber at noon
tomorrow.
Mr.. Weaver, Of Nebraska, asked
leave 10 offer the following preamble
and resolution
Whereas nearly every Congress en-
braces one crank and whereas the
present Congress is no exception to this
rule; and whereas it should not be in
the power Of an IDIOT, insane man, or
crank to prevent the consideration OF
any measure therefore
I1..T..1 lbo, e tbfr
House be so amended that 1t shall re-
quiro at least two members to object %
the consideration Of q bill.
The reading Of the resolution was
greeted with applause, but Mr.. Springer,
OF Illinois, objected to it on the ground
that it was not respectful to the House.
MIR. Swope. Of Pennsylvania, from the
Committee on Invalid Pensions, re-
ported a bill granting a pension Of
5000 a year 10 the widow Of General
". ). Hancock. Placed Oh the private
calendar.
The House went into Committee Of
the Whole on the private calendar. \
long discussion, which at times took a
political turn, arose upon the first bill
on the calendar, It being one for the re
lief Of the heirs at law Of Cora A. SlO-
comb, Of Louisiana. 1t was finally
ordered to be reported with a favorable
recommendation
AT f:2j the committee rose, and
few private bills were passed.
The Speaker announced the appoint
mont of the following committee to ac-
company the remains Of Senator Miller to
California: MesSrs. Mckenna, Spriggs,
Loulitt, Morgan, Hepburn, Lailor, AMI
Mllhhen.
The House then, at 1876, took re-
cess until $50. The evening session is
TO be for pension bills.
senatorial COMBINATIONS.
BY telegraph 10 the DIspatcn.l
= WASHINGTON, March 1.-The Sen
ate in executive session on the nh con-
tirmed the following postmasters Ed
ward II. Lucas, Florence, 5. C.. James