The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-02-11
THE LAW LAID DOWN.
Msssrs. Riddleberger and Pugh Define
the Relations Of the Presi-
dent and Senate.
Associated Press report. ]
In tho Senate.

In tho Senate.
Mr.. Riddleberger of Virginia offered the
following resolution:
Resolved That II Ia tho sense OF the Senate
that the Executive of the United States IL not
restricted by constitutional law In removing
suspendng appointees; that the Senate has no
right 20 reqA that reasons shall bo given fer
such removal or suspension that IL Ia the right
OF the Senate to call for any paper relating 70
the conduct OF removed or suspended appoin-
tees. or to the qualification and fitness OF all
persons whose names are presented TO the 81 n
ate for confirmation or rejection, and 1t il the
duty OF the Executive to comply with all de-
mands for the same.
In Offering the resolution Mr. Riddleber-
ger said his purpose was simply to, bring
the subject up In open debate. IL did not
involve any so-called high prerogative of
the Senate when 1t should 60 into secret or
executive session, but only that abstract
question as to whether the Executive could
be called on or required to give reasons for
removals. Mr.. Riddleberger asked for the
immediate consideration of the resolution,
but Mr.. Cockrell MO- objected.
Mr.. Pugh, of Alabama, offered later In
the day the following substitute for the
resolution, and asked that it be allowed to
lie over until tomorrow:
1. That the executive power is expressly vest
ed by the Constitution in the President OF the
United States. so that he shall take care that
the laws Do 1altnfully executed
2. That the power of appointment TO Federal
office Is an executive power To be exercised by
the President under the limitation in the Con-
stitution that he shall nominate. and by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate shall
appoint
5. That the power OF removal and suspension
from the powers and duties of Federal office is
also an executive power vested exclusively in
the President, without any such limitation in
the Constitution as Is imposed thereby on the
power or appointment, and for its exercise he is
IN a
Senate.
4. That the right OF the President to make
nomin atoms TO the senate and of the Senate to
advise and consent thereto each separate
and independent rights. to be exercised by the
President and Senate respectively and sepa-
rately and indepently within their absolute dis
erection; but in relation to the person or persons
so nominated the Senate may request informa-
ton of the President affecting the character or
qualifications of those as TO whose appointment
he asks the advice and consent OF the Senate.
s. That when the President makes nonniI.a-
lions 70 the Senate Of persons to be appointed
by him TO exercise the powers and duties Of
Federal officers who have been removed or sus-
pended by him, no law, public duty or public
policy requires that he shall send or commun-
nation within his own knowledge or contained
in any letters, petitions, papers, or documents
addressed to him or any member OF his Cabinet,
or in the possession OF either, and relating
to the subject of removals or suspensions
or containing charges, canses, or
reasons, and the proof thereof for making
law, public duty, or public policy requires or
authorizes the Senate to call for such informa-
ton existing in any such form from the Presi-
dent or any member of his Cabinet, to enable
the Senate to review question the action Of
the President in exercising his executive, dis
cretionary, and exclusive power of removing or
suspending Federal officers from the powers and
duties of their offices, or to put the President on
trial by the Senate or TO enforce accountability
TO the Senate for anything he may have done in
the exercise of such jurisdiction.
6 That to obtain information considered DV
either house of Congress useful in passing neces-
sary and proper laws either house Of Congress
may request the President, IL not deemed by
him incompatible with tile public interest, to
give any information within his knowled 2e or
contained in any public document or records on
file or in the lawful custody OF any of the de-
partments, and relating to the administration of
any public office or the official conduct or acts
affecting the official conduct or duties Of any
public officer; but for the Senate TO make such
request of the President or TO direct any men,
Der of his Cabinet 70 transmit to the Senate any
information or any public documents or papers
in open or executive session TO enable the
Senate in open or executive session to re-
view the propriety or the reason Of the inforna-
ton upon which he acted or may have acted in
making removals or suspensions. would be an
attempt to obtain such information by false pre-
lenses, and for uses and purposes not authorized
or justified by any law or public policy OF the
United States; and for the President TO grant
such request or require any members of his Cab
met to obey such direction from the Senate,
when deemed by him to be made for such I'M
would be e. recognize and encourage an i'm
proper practice and an injurious innovation
upon hts exclusive and independent rights,
powers and duties President Of the United
States.
The plan of the Republicans rs to refer
the matter to the Committee on Privileges
and Elections, whence Mr.. Hoar Mass
will report substitute expressing the Stall
wart Republicans views of the question.
This resolution will be debated in open ses-
sion, and it is expected that the Stalwart
Republican Senators will say their say con-
corning the President. They hope by act
ing upon the resolution in open session to
force Mr.. Van Wyck (Neb.) and other Re-
publicans of whose support in executive
session they do not feel certain.
Meanwhile the Judiciary Committee, to
which the Senate in executive session re-
ferred the Attorney Generals letter in the
Dustin case, will continue the pursuit of
the President through Mr.. Garland. There
is talk of backing down on the part of some
Republican Senators, but Mr.. Edmunds,
whs leads the opposition to the President,
is as determined as ever.