Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-21
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
cnErE1Axp AND REMOVALS.

scan BecspFcruy NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ont>
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IRON cur Regular Correspondent
WASHINGTON y. c., January Co.
The purpose Of the Republican senators
Is TO draw from the President the ad-
mission that IN respect 10 large num-
Der OF the removals and suspensions OF
Republican Office holders he acted
really without any Substantial reason
other than that he wished to put Demo-
Gratis in Their places. This they claim
would be confession that efficiency and
cxpability IN tho discharge OF duty have
not. IN spite Of the prctcnsions Of the Ad-
minissrasion, been adhered to rs a
rule, but IN exceptional cases.
In other words, that in large
proportion Of suspensions and ap-
pointments he has followed the rule
that to the victors belong the spOils.
They expected that they would have no
trouble IN obtaining from the President
and heads OF departments a statement
of the reasons for removals and sus-
pensions. for the Senate has been &c
customed to have pretty much its own
way since the time Of Andrew johnson
without serious opposition from any
quarter. and their requests for informs-
ton we're therefore sent 20 the heads Of
departments almost IN the form Of de-
mands.
THE SITUATION AMUSING.
Now, the situation is rather amusing.
The Republican senators. the Demo-
cratic senators, and the President,
stand looking at each other and won
oering what the other fellow is going
10 90. The Republicans failed 70 get
what they directed the heads Of de-
partments 20 furnish--namely, the
reasons for removals and suspensions,
the answer being that they are
not in possession OF the reasons
upon which the President acted.
They hesitate 20 make formal
demand upon the President himself,
and the Democratic senators are wait
IN 70 learn snthoritatively what the
President will reply if the demand
shall be made. They appointed a com
mittee 70 wait upon Mr.. Cleveland and
asked what position he would take if
the Republicans made the threatened
demand lie replied, and they so re-
ported to the Democratic caucus yes
terday, that he was not prepared 70
say. The meaning Of that is that he
will not state his position until the Re-
publican senators have taken their.
SO the three parties TO this controversy
stand waiting for each other.
Ii is learned from al authority that
cannot be questioned that If the Senate
requests the President 10 communicate
his reasons for removals in any cases
they may specify. he viii give them,
but will accompany his reply with a
q statement OF his construction Of the
tenure-ofofiice act, and clearly convey
e their minds the idea that his compli-
anoe with their request for reasons for
removals or suspensions is merely an act
OF courtesy. II, on the other hand, they
should make a demand upon him, he Will
probably reply by simply informing
them that the act Of removal OF sus-
pension Of an 0thce-holder is one that
pertains 70 the authority OF the Execu-
tive alone. aud the Senate has the only
right TO participate with the Executive
IN filing the Offices by rejecting or con-
ilrmmg the persons nominated.
The position Of the President. IN
officially known TO senator's, Is SO
clearly In accord with the Constitution
and the Law that II Is not believed
that the Republican senators will press
hin too lar on the question at issue.
MEXICAN RECIPROCITY TREATY.
The attention OF the Committee on
WAYS and Means viii be turned in a
few days to the proposition Of Mr..
Hewitt, Of New York, 10 carry out the
Mexican reciprocity treaty. The report
made by Mr.. Hewitt last January, IN
which the subjec. is fully discussed,
viii be considered, and will be adopt
ed as the committees report upon
the present bill il it is de-
cided to recommend its passage.
About the latter there is some doubt,
n some members Of the committee DO
not think it wise to interfere with the
tariff by means OF commercial treaties.
A special report has been prepared BY
the Bureau OF Statistics for the use OF
the Ways and Means Committee, show
ing the commerce between Mexico and
the United States during the year 1885.
At the suggestion Of Congressman
Pulitzer, Of New York, the Committee
on Civil-Service Reform reviewed the
bills that have been introduced for the
repeal OF the civil-service act or 70 break
its backbone. The committee decided
by a unanimous vote against al propo-
sitions 10 repeal the law or IN oppOsi-
tion to It's principle. The sentiment
appeared. however, 20 be ID favor OF
some notifications Of the statute.
BOUTELLE, AGAIN.
Mr. Boniellewas outgenerslled at the
meeting Of the Naval Committee this
morning and left the meeting IN disgust.
Mr. hewitt moved TO amend the Boutelle
resolution 80 rs TO ascertain whether
honorably discharged soldiers or sailors
Of the United States have 81 any time
been dismissed from the Norfolk navy
yard, and furnish the House with copies
Of all correspondence in relation TO dis
misSals and details by order Of Score
tsry Whitney OF Secretary Chandler
al the Norfolk nsvy-yard or IN
the lighthouse district IN which
the Norfolk yard is situated.
The resolution as amended will de-
velop the transactions OF Secretary
Bill Chandler IN relation to the Norfolk
gard and that lighthouse district IN his
Efforts 20 bolster up the waning power
Of General Malone as = political boss.
Al the same time Il vii not suppress
the information N respect 10 the era
sure Of inscriptions upon the old can
mons and the dry-dook, about which
Mr.. BoEtelle is SO much concerned.