Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-02

never conferred upon the Senate until two
years ago, and which were then conferred foE
a special purpose. In my opinion we ough
to be careful that our Judgment should be lm-
partial; and not TO be influenced by love az
power"
FACTS AGAINST EDMuNDs.
The report shows that in 1895 a resolution
was introduced calling upon the President for
information regarding the removal Of POST
master General Granger, but was re-
jected which fact is interpreted
as an evidence that nc that time the opinion
prevailed that the Senate had no right TO in-
teriere in cases Of removal. In 1880 rrsnlu-
tlon calling on the President ior the names Of
each person removed and the causes therefor
was rejected by a vote of "a to II. The tenure
of office law passed In 1867, WAS the frst and
only Legislative interference By the senate
with tho Presidents power of removal. and
the objects and exceptional reasons Of that
act OF usurpation have been fully explained
by those who aided In its passage.
GRANTS OPPOSITION.
President Grant in his Hrst annu.
repeal OF this law for the reason
That II would be Impossible for him "a
adminlster the government under its opera
lion. The House by a nearly unanimous vote
recommended its repeal. This bill was amend.
cd IN the senate so as 10 give the President
the rlght OF suspension ana removal during
recesseE OF the Senate.
On the discretionary right OF the President
with reference TO removals the minor ty quote
the Supreme Court as follows: Whatever
opinion may be entertained Of the manner in
which Executive discretion may be used. still
there exist aud can exist no power 10 control
that discretion.
EDMUNDs ON RECORD.
Senator Edmunds, in speech upon the re-.
peal OF the tenure OF Office act, Is quoted as
granting the Presidents constitutional power
OF removal Mt his own discretion, and saying
That when a removal was made il became the
place OF the Senate TO say whether the causa
was sufficient and, II found sufficient, the act
Of removal was accomplished. The Senator
from Vermont the report says Is entitled "a
the distinction OF being the author o. the re-
marknble discovery that unqualified, ex-
elusive and ndindependent power OF remOyingoR
suspending officers OF the United States can be
conceded TO the President for his free exer+
else for any cause or reason that may satisfy
him. and that the Senate had no right 20 in
terfere with or control in any manner the
use OF such power by the President. hut that
after the President mas 80 exercised his powef
ana made suspension for any cause saits-
factory TO him and nOmnates 70 the SoDate
person 70 take the place Of the suspended
onicer. then the mower Of the Senate inter-
venes TO advise and consent to the nomination,
which is just rs absolute, exclusive and inde.
pendent as The Presidents power TO suspend
aud nominate. and that in the exercise OF thia
power the Senate can decide with or with
out cause satisfactory to them TO WITHHOLD
their advice and consent to the nomination.
AN UNANSWERED QUESTION.
Inc hounuucbs OF tuln pfopOsltiOn may "
admitted, but IL leaves the question uDan-
swered whether the senate has any right 70
request the President or direct the Attorney
General 10 transmit papers and documents
relating exclusively TO suspensions under eec-
tlon l76S OF the tenure OF office act. such pa
pers have no existence or character as pubAd
documents. They relate solely 10 mates
under the absolute power and control Of the
President, IN the exercise Of which, In tina
language Of the Supreme Court, ''He ia to
use his own discretion, and Is accOuntabs
only TO his country IN his political character
and TO his own Conscience