New-York tribune., 1886-03-09
in the Bureau OF Navigation ana ordere" ~ ''f
dntv on hoard of the Tennessee.
THE SUPPRESSED PAPERS.
WHAT IS Expected OF MR.. EDMUNDS.
FACTS TO BE BROUGHT OUT IN DEBATE--Mh'
BLACKS PRIVATE PAPERS.
r,v r., ran AP,I To THE TRIBUNE.

TELEGRAPH TO IHE IItlbCN"l
WAsuINGTON, March S-SenatOr Edmunds
was suffering from cold to-day and the debate on inc
question OF The Presidents right to suppress official doc
uments was posponed All OF the in the city
were present excepting Mr.. Vest. who has been ILL., ana
from the crowded galleries was evident that an inter
estng debate expected. The Democratic senators
show little interest in the matter and without OPPOSE
ton from that side OF the House few Of the Republicans
will make speeches. For that the debate may
not DO 80 prolonged interesting as mas
been expected Mr. Ednunds will present inc
case fully in his opening speech. Tn" freS-
idenrs message will afford the RepuohcanS
opportunity for a number of telling points They nave
expressed good deal OF surprise that the FreSiueh'
advisers should have allowed him to say In Ms oSshHo
that he had the right to withdraw ana destroy PaeS
filed in the Departments. The law is explicit on thi
point making the destruction OF any papers OH
file or deposited in the Departments serious ohc"oo
Similar bunders in the message will be polnleu out ia
the course the debate and Its effect WEI ne ILLUSTRATE"
bv some recent occurrences in the Interior Department
II appears that files of that office have been over
hauled by the Democrats for facts to be used IN de-
hates in Congress. Commissioner Black himself took
the letter files afdavs and other documents from tne
Pension Office House recently to be used In ae
bate there by accident the Democrats alowed Repre-
sentative Hepburn to see the following letter:
KENTON. H., Jan. 29, 1856
Hon JOHN c. BLACK, Washington. d. O.: r-
DEAR SIR: At the request of Drs Rogers ana B1nay
herewith incOse affidavit of Aaron Neal which IhnK
fully substautates Your report commissioner VIII
''HO ''''''' F. NJ. BLooDGooD.
The Democrats asserted that there great mass OF
adavits in the Pension Office to sustain Blacks charges
and it appears this letter that he has been gather
ing these afdavts since his annual report was made
and that the doctors he appointed pension eX-
aminers are the engaged III this work There Is
evidence in the hands of the Republicans
that some of the atiavits already read
we're made by convicted felOns. But
the interesting point OF this matter which bears on the
senate debate. Black AMI Lamar, to explain the
violation taking these papers to the House are
now asserting that they the private properly "l
Commissioner Black and not Official documents on file;
and this Notwithstanding that the aiavits are obtained
by Commissioner Blacks subordinate and sent to him IN
his official capacity.
Another fact showing how far the Administration ia
prepared to carry this dangerous doctrine
significant letter book in the Pension Once used by
Colonel Dudley when Commissioner and contain
ing copies OF official letters also made use OF in
the House. Mr. Black asserts that his leterDOok IS
his private property because he found II IN the Oce
and even Mr. Holman has declared publicly that
cit was not part OF the public records OF
the Pension Office" The Republican Senators purpose
TO denounce as tho doctrine that an official
can Ike records from Office the plea that they
they are unofficial in tho same way withhold
Congress when THEN production Is demanded
The cutire Democratic def nee, laid down IL the
speech which Mr. Pugh his prepared IA the leader oi
the minority this question, rests on ths ne" MS
tnctDn OF Official and unofficial documents Mr. Brck
and others are To speak on the question: oul
they not in entire sympathy with the Ir'siuehI'
Mr. gals ana Mr. Harrison are among those VINO
viii make speeches on tle kcp9De1n s"tG h1 as ,e
the country TO be furnished win some evidence on
thie point, which, as sIowing the character OF many
OF the Presidents appointees Will he starting III Is
character.