Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-09

rill's joculsr query whether citizen
could demand Of the Treasury officials
reasons for refusing to issue silver
certificates said That question does
not arise here. We can call Tor
the reason for any official act. The
real question in that matter is that We
cannot call on the President for 4 rea-
son why be removed q person. ! boz
lieye. with the Senator from Alabama
tMr. Pngh), that no senator denies that
the Senate, as a legislative body, can
call for reason for any act OF the tx
ecutiye Department. Whom the ques-
ton was raised during the Hayes Ad-
rninistration President Hayes did what
President Cleveland has done. tie
said that, as a coordinate branch OF the
Government, he was not required to
give his reasons for an official act. |
think that is right; but that we have
right to seek information Of any depart
ment Of the Government, whether the
information lie ON paper or by parols, do
not think there is any doubt
whatever. But for that we eould not
legislate--we could not. even by ex-
ecutive session. | have just rs much
right to 20 to any department and ask
for any papers affecting that depart
affecting legislative business-f
go there armed with the power of the
Senate, as the Secretary of the Urea
sury, or Secretary OF any department
OF the Government, or as the President
of the United States. That has always,
from the foundation of the Govern
ment. been an established law. Presi-
dent Washington, in one OF the first
Communications that he made 10 this
Senate, complained Of the Senate that
1t did not call for information. In all
my experience | have never known a
case where department or President
had refused to give information con-
tanned in a department upon any act
whatever, whether executive or legis-
lative.
Mr.. Salisbury: President Washing
ton. believe, did complain that the
Senate did not ask him for his reasons
for an appointment he proposed 10
make. He did not complain that it had
not asked him his reasons for any res
moval.
Mr.. Sherman That is a modern dis
tinction for which think senator's will
find 10 color. II they can show me
where that nice distinction is contained
in the resolution of the Senator from
Alabama (Mr. Pughl was first invented
by mortal man. should like to know
its origin. What distinction is there :
| cannot see any. Any information
,hat may affect the Judgment or con-
duct OF a senator on any subject ofpub-
lie duty is information that be the
Presidentl j. bound 70 communicate.
There ought to be no secrets whatever
in this Government OF ours. 1t Is q
government Of the people. There Is
no rule or provision for keeping secrets.
MIR. Salisbury The very act Of
lSCe-the modified act for the benefit OF
General Grsnt-vested IN the Presl-
dent discretion in reference to sus-
pension from Office. Now does the
Senator from Ohio iSherman) insist
that We have any thing to do with the
discretion Of the President in reference
to removals or suspensions:
Mr.. Sherman We have no right to
say 10 another department Of the Gov
eminent: 4" For what reason did you
DO this thing" The President has no
right 10 come to US and say " Why
did you pass this law" lie has no
right TO cross-examine US. The de-
partments are separate and distinct ;
but all information contained on the
files Of any department is just a. much
the property Of the Senator from Della
ware tMr. Salisbury a. Of anybody
else. There is no secret IN this Gov
eminent that can be protected from
legislative supervision.
Mr.. Salisbury | differ from the
Senator in regard to thi>. II we have
nominations to act on we can call Tor
information as TO the nominee, but
when we 60 behind that and ask for In
formation az to a suspended officer the
entire discretion is vested in the Presi.
dent. would like TO ask the Senator
as s lawyer whether there is any couri
in this country. from the Supreme Court
down. that can control the discretion o
a trustee. however humble that truste'
may be:
Mr.. Sherman Is not that an eva
sion Of the whole controversy: W.
do not claim TO exercise any power
whatever over the discretion Of th'
President. We admit even that we Dc
not ask for his reasons. but we have
the power to control our own discre
tions, and we have a right 10 all infor
nation that we can get from the TX
ecutive Department to enlighten US.
would like for my friend from Ala
bama (Mr. Pughl TO point on
/ where in the history Of the past. II
any precedent Of the past, he can sho7
this distinction between executive IN
formation and legislative .nforma
ton: There is no such distlnc
ton. Nobody proposes 10 control tn
exercise OF the Presidents discretion
Nobody. He is a. independent as "
are. But he must not control our dis
cretons. He must not prevent us iron
having the same sources Of information
that he has. lie makes a nomination
Why did he make that nomination
Was the old incumbent an unit man
a corrupt man, thief, defaulter, or to
like? Our discretion must be enligh;
ened By all the information that "a
President has. say, therefore, tina
We have the right to call for that IN
formation. At the same time we shoul'
be 10 the President always courteous
And if he should give any reaso
for Withholding any paper, for exam
pie, because it was marked icon
fidential." should not objee
10 that. II there are papers nc
meant for the public eye, and b
should choose to withhold that as
matter Of confidence, would say th'
that was probably a case for the eKeI
else of discretion. If he should say
II do not care to talk about that; thi
came to NE in confidence" that IS on
thing; but when he says that the pi
pers upon which he acts, containin
charges made boldly and openly, COT