Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-19
Edrmunds's Last Dodge.
BY telegraph to the Dispatch

WASHINGTON, February lS.-Sena-
tor Edmunds to-day reported the fol-
lowing resolutions from the Senate
Committee on the Judiciary, accom-
panied by long report:
Resolred, That the foregoing report
OF the Committee on the Judiciary be
agreed to and adopted.
ReSOlred, That the Senate hereby ex-
presses its condemnation Of the refusal
Of the Attorney General, under what
ever influence, to send to the Senate
copies of the papers called for by its
resolution Of the 25th Of January and
set forth in the reports Of the Commit
tee on the Judiciary as in violation OF
his official duty and subversive Of the
fundamental principles Of the Govern
ment and Of the good administration
thereof.
ReSolred, That it is under these cir
cumstances the duty of the Senate to
refuse its advice and consent 10 thepr
posed removals Of officers the docu-
ments and papers in reference to the
supposed official or personal misconduct
of whom are withheld by the Execu-
tive or any head Of department when
deemed necessary by the Senate and
called for in considering the matter.
Resolred, That the provision of Sec
ton 1854 Of the Revised Statutes de-
claring that persons honorably dis
charged from the military or naval SER
vice by reason of disability resulting
from wounds or sickness incurred in the
line Of duty shall be preferred for APP
pointments to civil offices, provided
they are found to possess the business
capacity necessary for the proper dis
charge Of the duties of such office, ought
to be faithfully and fully put
into execution and that to re-
move or to propose to remove
any such soldier whose faithfulness,
competency, and character are above re-
proach. and to give the place to another
who has not rendered such service, is a
violation Of the spirit of the law and Of
that practical gratitude which the peo-
Die and the Government Of the United
States owe to the defenders Of consti-
tutional liberty and the integrity of the
Government.
All Of which is respectfully submit
ted. [Signedl
GEORGE F. EDMUNDs,
JOHN J. INGALLS,,
S. j. r. MCMILLAN,
GEORGE F. HoAR,
JAMES F. WILSON,
WILLIAM NJ. EvARTs.
The report accompanying the resolu-
tons is of great length, embracing
about five thousand words exclusive of
yoluminous appendices. The report
recites the fact and circumstances OF
the removal of Durkin and the appoint
ment of his successor as United States
attorney for the Southern district OF
Alabama. 1t declares that it has been
the uniform practice of the Judiciary
Committee since the passage OF the
tenure-of-olfice act to call upon the
heads of departments for all "papers
and information " in possession of
the department touching the conduct
and administration Of the officer pro-
posed to be appointed. This has been
done with the unanimous approval OF
all the members, although the compost
ton Of the committee has been during
that period sometimes of one political
character and sometimes of another.
in no instance, until this time, has the
committee met with any delay or denial
in respect of furnishing such papers and
information, with a single exception,
and in which exception the delay and
suggested denial lasted only for two or
three days. Precedents are cited and
discussed, and the conclusions OF the
committee are set forth in the resolu-
| tions ACCOMPANYING their report.