The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-01-23
The Senate and the President

1t was said frequently during the spring and
summer, and even recently that the Republi-
can Senate would refuse to confirm President
Cleveland's appointments, except in cases
where commissions had expired, or for good
and sufficient reasons.
Since Congress has been in session some of
the Republican Senators haveintroduced res
olutions, calling upon the President and his
Cabinet for the papers and reasons IN
certain cases for removals. The Democratic
Senators held a caucus and discussed the
matter, and a committee to wait upon the
President and learn his views in the matter
was appointed.
At another Democratic caucus held ON
Tuesday, the committee appointed to wait
on the President to learn formally his proposed
line of action with reference to the objected
to nominations before the Senate, and to re-
ceive any expression of wishes he might de-
sire to make to the Democratic Senators, sub
mitted the result of their interview. The
President had stated his position frankly and
clearly. He said he had exam ined with the
utmost care the constitution and the laws, and
he had failed to discover any provision which
either in letter or spirit rendered it obligatory
upon him to give his reasons for making
changes in the offices. He had concluded,
after mature reflection, to decline answering
quite positive that he should adhere to this
determination. He did not think it becoming
for him to express any wishes personal to
himself to the Senators of his own party. He
had no wish, and certainly no right, to under
take to influence them. He had taken his
position, and he must stand by it if he stood
alone. The President at the same time let it
be understood that there would be no objec-
ton to furnishing the Senate, if requested, the
applications and recommendations in connee.
ton with any nomination for office. In the
discussion on this report of the President S
views many of the Senators entered into the
question in its constitutional and legal aspect,
and all of them fully concurred with him in
the opinion that the Senate had no right to
inquire as to his motives.
A Washington dispatch to the New York
World, on Wednesday, says: The Republican
Senators have receded one step from the de-
mands which they have been making. Sena-
tor Morrill,, the Chairman of the Finance
Committee, has become convinced that he has
exceeded the powers of the Senate in seeking
to obtain reasons for removals or suspensions.
He modified his original letter to-day, which
he had addressed to the Secretary of the
Treasury, so that it simply calls for the ''pa-
pers in the case.' There was quite discus
sion in the committee. Senator Mcpherson,
] vi 4NCh OCASCls OppOoSo CNOH thAc. AAC csaiu
/ that there were great many private papers
| filed in connection with certain appointments.
Private letters were often put in, and he
wished to modify the letter, so that the Pres
ident be requested to furnish such information
as he thought would throw light upon the
character Of the men appointed. More than
this, the Senator said, he did not think the
Senate had any right to ask. Mr.. Sherman
said to the chairman of the committee that he
would not sustain him in asking for reasons
for removals He said that was an untenable
position for the Republicans to occupy He
voted, however, to call for the papers in the
case.
This back, down of the Republicans in the
Finance Committee will doubtless be followed
by similar retrograde movements in the other
committees. The majority of the Republican
Senators believe that they have no right to
call upon the President to give reasons for any
appointments. But undoubtedly there will
be unity among them in asking for the papers
in each case.
The Senate, of course, can call for papers
in cases in which they are called to act, but
they have no authority to ask the President
for his reasons for making removals. The
more prominent Republican Senators have
taken this view, and the hot heads, who would
like to raise an issue with the President are
in minority.