Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-03
FORTY-NISTH CONGRESS.
First Session,
SENATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.
Among the petitions presented and referred
were S. versl from Mr.. Frye from various or
ganizarions of the Knights of Labor of Maine
praying that the territory known as Oklahoma
may be opened TO settlers.
Among the measures reported from com
mittees was joint resolution by Mr.. Blair
from the committee on woman suffrage, pro-
viding for constitutional amendment ex-
tending the right of suffrage to women.
Mr.. Cockrell said that this report was not
the unanimous judgment of the committee
and that the minority reserved the right to
present written report in opposition 10 the
measure. The joint resolution was placed
on the calendar.
Mr.. Riddleberger offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate
that the executive of the United States
is not restricted by constitutional law in re-
moving or suspending appointees; that the
Senate has no right to require that reasons
shall be given for such removals or suspen-
sions: that II is the right Of the Senate TO call
for any paper relating to the conduct of the
removed or suspended appointees, or to the
qualifications and fitness of all persons whose
names are presented to the Senate for con-
frmation or rejection. and it is the duty of
the executive to comply with all demands for
the same.
In offering the resolution Mr. Riddleberger
said his purpose was simply to bring the sub
ject up in open debate. He asked for mme-
date consideration of the resolution
Mr.. Cockrell objected He said he would
submit either today or tomorrow substitute.
The matter then went over.
Mr.. Chace Introduced bill supplementary
to the civil service act. 1t provides that no
member of member elect of Congress and
that no officer or employee of either house
shall directly or indirectly solicit or recon-
mend or be conc rned in soliciting or rec
ommendlng any one for ar appointment to
which is vested in the president or in the
head of any executive department, branch or
bureau, or shall sign or endorse or present
an application for the appointment of any
person to such office. 1t makes violation of
its provisions misdemeanor punishable by
a fine not over $1,000 and by disqualification
for ever after from holding any office of
honor, trust or profit under the United
States. 1t provides, however, that the pres
ident or head of department may ask for in
formation concerning the applicant for the
office and such information shall be furnished
in writing.
Mr.. Van Wyck called up his bill, reported
favoraby on by the finance committee, per-
mitting the receiver of bank to use such
funds of the bank as may already have been
covered in the treasury, when such use may
be necessary in order to protect the interests
or the bank. The bill authorized the receiver
to see that the bank property abou: to be sold
by order of the court should not be sold for
less than its value. The bill was passed.
Mr.. Morgan's resolution regarding the
trustees provided for in the Utah bill was then
placed before the Senate, and on motion of
Mr. Ingalls, it was referred to the Judiciary
committee.
Mr.. Pugh submitted the substitute already
referred to by him to take the place of Mr..
Riddleberger's resolution and asked that it be
presented and lie over until tomorrow. Mr..
Pugh's substitute is as follows:
First-That executive power is expressly
vested by the constitution in the president of
the United States so that he shall take care
that the last be faithfully executed.
Second-That the power of appointment to
federal Office is an executive power to be ex-
ercised by the president under the limitation
in the constitution, that he shall nominate and
by and with the consent of the Senate shall
appoint.
Third-That the powor of removal or sus-
pension from power or duty is also an execu-
tive power vested exclusively in the president,
without any such Limitation in the constitution
as is imposed thereby on the power of ap-
pointment, and for its exercise he is respon-
sibe alone to the people and not to the Sen
ate.
Fourth-That the right of the president to
make nominations and of the Senate to advise
and consent thereto are each separate and in
dependent rights, to be exercised by the pres
ident and Senate respectively and separately
nj ,,,In r,ft fhnsr oI,,ta
ton, but in relation to a person or persons
so nominated the Senate may request infor-
nation of the president affecting the charac-
ter and qualifications Of those as to whose
appointment he asks the advice and consent
of the Senate.
Fifth-That when the president makes
nomination to the Senate of a person to be
appointed by him to the exercise of powers
and duties of federal officers who have been
removed or suspended by him no law, public
duty or public policy requires that he shall
send or communicate to the Senate any
cause, reason or information within his own
knowledge or contained u any letters, petit
tion, papers or documents addressed to him,
or any member of his cabinet, or in possession
of either, and relating to the subject of re
movsls or suspensions, or containing charges,
causes or reasons, and proof, hereof for max
ing sucn removals or suspensions, ana no
law, public duty or public policy requires or
authorizes the Senate to call for such infor-
ton existing in any such form from the pres
ident or any member of his cabinet to enable
the Senate to review or question the action
of the president in exercising his power of
removing and suspending federal officials
from the powers and duties of their offices or
to pnt the president on trial by the Senate.
or to enforce accountability to the Senate for
any thing he may have done in the exercise
of such jurisdiction.
Sxth-That to obtain information con-
sidered bv either house necessary and proper
laws either house of Congress may request
the president, if not deemed by him incom-
patible with public interest, to give any in
formation within his knowledge or contained
| in any public document or records on file or
in the lawful custody of any department 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 Senste to make such re-
quest Of the president or to direct any men,
! Der of his cabinet to transmit to the Senate
any information or auv public documents or
papers in open or executive session to enable
the Senate in open or executive session TO
review the propriety. or reason, or informa-
ton upon which he acted or may have acted
in making removals or suspensions would be
an attempt to obtain such information by
false pretensions and for uses and purposes