The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-02
A PLAIN ISSUE.

u Now Rests with the Senate Alone to
Show Cause Why Honest Colored
Democrat Should BE SIiseited by the Re-
publicans.
When President Cleveland came into
office Frederick Douglass, VINO is, next
to Sc0ator Bruce, perhaps the best rep
resenrative that the colored race has
put 10 the front, was occupying the fat
place of recorder of deeds for the Dis
trict Of Columbia He had originally
been appointed by Mr.. Hayes, for
the well-understood purpose of cater
ing to the colored vote, to the po-
sition of United States Marshal of
the District-a place which, under
the well-established Washington
procedure, makes its incum bent
the usher at the White House recep-
tons. When Mr.. Arthur came to the
Presidency he was quite indisposed to
do any injustice to Mr.. Douglass, but
was equally indisposed to permit a col
ored man to occupy that high social
position. So he appointed him TO the
much more lucrative position of re-
corder of deeds. and put in Morton Nc
Michael, of Philadelphia, as marshal.
So it was as recorder of deeds that
President Cleveland found him.
One of the first acts of the new Presi-
dent was to teach Mr.. Douglass that he
had no social scruples against him.
He was personally invited to White
House receptions even in cases where
invitations were very rare. He was
treated not only like man, but like a
gentleman. And when it came time
for him to leave office he left it with so
kindly an opinion of the Democratic
President that his published card
stands on record as one of the best of
the tributes paid to the personal manli-
ness of that officer. The card is 4 Wig
Orous Republican document; but it is
at the same time a glowing cOmpG-
ment to the worth of President Cleve-
land.
In the place of Mr.. Douglass as re-
cordcr of deeds the President appointed
another colored man-W. c. Mathews,
of Albany. The Republicans of the
Senate, who believe that no colored
Elan should hold office unless he votes
the Republican ticket, rejected the APP
pointment. There was no question of
the appointee's worth. The rejection
was purely partisan performance.
And now, after Congress has adj
journed, the President TeappOintS the
rejected nominee. Mathews. 1t is
sharp Issue with the Senate. If there
has been similar case in the history
of our country it has escaped us. Yet
the President is a thoroughly sound
lawyer and not likely to take step of
this kind without full consideration of
all its bearings. Whence does he get,
or whence does he think he gets his
power?
Certainly not under clause 2, of sec
ton ,, OF article ii. OF the constitution.
That simply gives the power to non,i- |
nate, and, by and with the advice and !
consent of the Senate, to appoint GER
tain officers. This consent the Senate |
has refused. But clause of tho same |
sectiOn cOnferS upon him another and |
wholly distinct power, as follows:
1.-THE Pres dent shall have power to fill ali |
vacanc cs that may happen during the recess |
of the Senate bv granting commissions which |
shall expire At the end of their next session"
The retirement of Mr.. Douglass and
the rejection by the Senate of Mr.. Math-
ews leaves a vacancy, and the PreSi-
Gent under The above provision, finds
fail power 10 fill the office al interim.
His appointment will 90 to the Senate
again within thirty DAYS after its re-
and twill once more have
the opportunity of acting upon it
CtnciRRUti Enquirer.