The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-14

IHE New YORK WOfl0 Ii eVluonty oub VI
patience with the President it helped elect.
Quoting from the Presidents letter Of accept
Office of President Is essentially executive in
it's nature"--the World proceeds to show that
the functions of the law-making branch of the
government. The special grievance Of the
World is that the President did not sign the
bill passed by Congress in favor of the speedy
disposal of the surplus, in accordance with
the sentiment expressed by the Democratic
convention that nominated Mr.. Cleveland. 1t
was passed by large majority of the House,
and was Endorsed by the Senate, but instead
Of signing it and allowing it to become law
he put it in his pocket, and that was the last
heard Of it. It was given out by the friends
Of the President that he intended to quietly
put it's provisions into practice, and that the
only objection he had to the measure was its
apparent intention of instructing him in what
he himself recognized as his plain duty to the
country and to the party that nominated him.
The World, with show Of reason, complains
that the President has exceeded the true func-
lions Of the executive Office, and that he is
endeavoring to run the government on line
Of policy peculiarly his own, to the impair
ment Of the other branches coordinate with
the executive. It points out that the Presi-
dent has arrogated to himself the full right to
make appointments without the consent of
the Senate, as provided by the Constitution
1t reverts to the fact that, for some reason
satisfactory to the Senate, that body refused
to confirm the appointment of the cclored
man, Matthews, to the position of recorder of
deeds at Washington. Whether the Senate
was or was not warranted in refusing to con-
firm this appointment, 1t undoubtedly had the
right to refuse to do so, and, under the Con-
stitution, this should have disposed of the
question, for it was open to the President to
make some other selection for the place. In
stead of respecting the right Of the Senate in
this matter the President arrogantly re-
appointed the man after the Senate had adj
jourued, clearly indicating that he had no
respect for the right conferred on the Senate
to be party to the appointments made by
the President. In short, it is the evident
purpose of the President to take upon himself,
as far as possible. every right and privilege
that should 60 to others The World says:
.s'Mr. Matthews may be worthy of the posi-
ton, but his appointment, under the circum-
stances, is a mistake because it is against
precedent and is a slight to the Senate. 1t is
not calculated to promote that harmony which
ought to exist between the coordinate branch
es of the government. It is, besides, a
strained in Interpretation of the Presidents con-
stitutional right. The Constitution gives the
President and the Senate equally the appoint
ing power, although the President has the
privilege of originating the nominations. AT
ter the Senate, the one party to the appoint
ment has rejected nominee, either for good
or insufficient reasons, for the President, the
other party to the appointment, to insist on
appointing him seems to be as great stretch
of power as If the Senate should undertake to
force such nomination as it desired from the
President This clashing between the Presi-
dent and Congress is to be regretted 1t helps
to increase the growing disposition to treat the
representatives Of the people in the Legislative
branch of the government with disrespect.
Yet the legislative power is the great aud
overruling power in every free government
This is the position taken by the Republican
press, but its opinions have been discounted
because of the alleged bias that influenced
them. 1t is remarkable thing for the Presi
dent to take upon himself such an autocratie
exercise Of power. If the idea of centraliza
ton be hateful one to the Democratic party
what must it think of this?