Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-03-24

manner in which he exercised bis execu'
i've functions. They went even so lar as
to ask him where he didit; they may nave
intended to ask him when; they undoupt,
edly asked him how; and IS illustrative OF
he views of that distinguished man while
he occupied the White House, 1 crave the
privilege of readiug short extract from
bis answer to that inquiry. 1t is dated
May 4, 1876.
PRESIDENT GRANT SAID:
Il have never hesitaied, and shall not
hesitate, to communicate to Congress, ana
to either branch thereof all the intorma-
ton which the Constitution makes 1t the
duty of the President to give; or when
nv Judgment may suggest to me- or a re-
quest from either House may indicate 10
me, will be useful in the discharge OF the
sppropriste duties con6ded to them. !
fail. however, to find in the Constitution OF
the United States the authority given 70
the House Of Representatives lone branch
of the Congress in which is vested tne
legislative power of the Government to
REQ uire of the Executivs-an independent
branch of the Government coordinate with
the Senate and House of Representatives.
An account Of his discharge OF bis aP'
prop,iate and purely executive offices, acts
and duties, either as to when, where, OF
how performed.
What the House OF Representatives
may require as a right in its demand upon
the Executive for information is limited to
what is necessary for The proper discharge
of its powers of legislation or OF impeacn
ment.
The inquiry in the resolution of the
House as to where executive acts have
within the last seven years, been performed
and at what distance from any particular
spot, or for how long period at any one
time, &c does not necessarily belong to
the province of legislation. 1t does mol
profess to be asked for that object. :.
Why is it that Senators will rise on TINS
floor and declare that the. Executive has
no right TO know for what purpose we cal
for papers, when in every ins'apce, from
the foundation of the Government to this
day, where any issue OF any kind has ariser
between the two coordinate branches o.
the Government, the President has as
sumed the right to know, aud not knowing
has declined to communicate the papers de
manded in such manner
THE SENATOR FROM OHIO Mr. sHERMANl
addressed the Senate some days ago on THU
subject of the communication OF papers
Among other things he said:
That we have q right to call for inior
nation OF any kind whatever in any DE
psrtment OF the Government, whether 1t bt
by written order or by psrol, do not think
there is the slightest doubt Indeed bu
tor that we could not legislate; but for thai
we could not act wisely in executive ses
sion"
He said again, and | desire to call espec
ial attention TO his language, in answer tc
an interruption: .,
Let me have my say, if my friend vii
allow me. There was no doubt sbou
that
Speaking OF the construction Of THU
same Law
The idea oil a distinction between
papers public and private in the public
records never occurred until during the
present administration and to meet an ext
gency."
The Senator from Vermont, slludiDg tt
THE CASE OF ARTHUR AND CORNELL
and to the action Of President Hayes
made a statement to which | desire to cal
attention. He said;
In that connection | ought to call your
attention. seem to have mislsid The
papers--to the proceedings that took plact
in this body on the removal of Mr.. Arthur
and Mr.. Cornell ss Collector end Navs
Officer at New York and the appointment,
Of their successors.
| do not want TO read the whole extract
but simply sufficient part to give app!ica
ton to what | propose 10 say:
81 think am safe in saying that neither
the President of the United States nor the
Secretary of the Treasury nor any other OF
his advisers ever entertained the thought
for a momen, that it was not the right OF
the Sfnate OF the United States to go to
the bottom Of the whole affair aud have
every fact and every reason that it desired
to have or thought would be Of any use to
it in acting inteIiigently upon the subject
For the frat time in the history OF this
Government and to meet an emergency,
says the Senator from Ohio, this distinction
between public and private paper is
submitted. Neither President Hayes nor
his Secretary OF the Treasury ever dream
ed Of it. And, ssys the Senator from Yer
mont, the Senate has a right 10 60 10 the
bottom of the whole affair. With the per
mission Of the Senate we will 60 to the
botto.a OF the whole affair aud | will ask
the Secretary to read letter which | send
to the desk.
The presiding officer Mr.. Blackburn in
the chair.
THE LETTER
=