The Dillon tribune., 1886-03-06
SpECK.AI. Vi ESS SAGE.
President Cleveland Defends Hi, Late
Otitcial Actions.

'H tnc 1"t inst. lres!Qent cleveland
sent special message to the Senate de-
tending his recent official action in making
removals and appointing to office govern
ncnt officials. The message closes
My oath to support and defend the con.
st'tution, my duty to the people who have
chosen me to the Executive powers of
their great office, and not to rclinquish
them, and my duty 10 the Chief Magis.
tracy, which must preserve unimpairetl
in all its dignity and vigor, compel me to
refuse to comply with these demands. 10
the end that the service may be improved,
the Senate is invited to its fullest scrutiny
Of the persons submitted to them for pub.
lie Office. In recognition OF the Consti-
tutional power Of that body to advise and
conse"t to their appointment, shall con-
tiruc as | have thus Tar done to furnish at
the request oi the confirming body, all
information possess touching the fitness
OF nominees placed before them for their
action, both when they are proposed 10 fill
vacancies and to take the places of sus-
pended officials. Upon the refusal to con.
firm, | shall not assume the right to ask
the reasons for the action OF the Senate
nor question its determination. l cannot
think that anything more is required to
secure worthy incumbents in the public
offices than careful and independent dis.
charge OF onr respective duties within their
well defined limits. Though by propriety
suspension mi yht bc better assured if the
action Of the President was subiec, to re-.
view by the Senate, yet ii the Constitution
and laws have placed this responsibility
upon the Executive Government i, should
not be divided nor the discretion which it
involves be relinquisl,cd. 1t has been
claimed that the present Executive, having
pledged himself not to remove officials cx-
cept :or cause; the fact Of their suspension
implies such misconduct on the part Of the
suspended official as Injuries his character
and reputation, and therefore the Senate
should review the case tor his vindication.
have said that certain officials should not
in my opinion. Dc removed during the con-
,inucncc OF the term for which they were
appointed Tor the purpose Of ofputting others
III their places. Those in political aifiia.
ton with the appointing power and this
declaration was ,mediately followed BY {,
description of .licial partnership which
did not entitlc those in whom it was ex.
hi!,;tcd TO consideration. 1t is not appar.
ent how an adherence to :he cause thus
announced carries with it The consequences
described. fin any degree the suyges.
ton is worthy OF consideration it is to be
hoped that there may be Il defense against
any unjust suspension by the Executive.
Every pledge by which have made and
by which have placed Elimination upon
the exercise OF my executive power has
been faithfully redeemed, but Of course no
prctcnsc is put forth that no mistakes have
been committed, but no suspension has
been made except as it appeared to my
satisfaction that the public welfare should
be improved thereby. Many applica.ians
for suspension have been denied and my
adherence to the rule laid down to govern
my action as To such suspension have
ca,,sct: much irritation and impaticncc on
the part Of those who have insisted on
mere changes in office. The pledges
have made We're made to the people, and
TO them am responsible for the manner
in which they have been redeemed. |
am not responsible to the Senate, and |
am unwilling TO submit my actions and
official conduct to them for Judgment
There are no grounds for an allegation
that the fear OF being found false to nav
professions influences me in declining to
submit to the demands of the Senate
have not constantly refused to suspend
officials and thus incur di>pleasurc of po.
litica friends and vet wiliully broken faith
with the people for the sake Of being false
to them. Neither the discomfort Of the
party friends nor the allurements constant
lv offered OF coniirmation> OF appointces
conditioned upon an avowal that suspcn.
sions have been made on party grounds
alone, nor the threat proposed in the reso-
lutions now before the Senate, that no
con!irmatio:.s will be made unless the de-
,nands OF that body be complied with, are
sufficient to discourage or deter me from
in the way which ! am con
WINGED leads TO a better Government for
the people.
GR0vf&-CLEvILl
E:;ccu,iyt. Mansion. Washington, y. G.,
March ! 1880.