Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-07-15
From Our Regular correspondent.
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, July 5, 1856.

WASHINGTON, July B, 1856.
1t would not be surprising if Congress
adjourned in grand row with the Presi-
dent. There is a swell of resentment, in
both branches at the manner in which he
has used his veto power The light and
playful way in which he ,ramples upon leg
islation may be amusing 10 a certain portion
OF the public, but it is not funny to the leg
isla,ors. Mr.. Cleveland is the frs, Presden,
since Andrew Johnson who has spelled Con
gress with lille &C." and none of his pre-
decessors ever dared to entrench themselves
behind their constitutional prerogatives
as he has done, and fire shot at the Cap
itol
Senator Blair has attacked the Presidents
veto policy in words of gall, He complains
that the President relies upon the Com
missioner of Pensions for the facts upon
which he bases his vetoes, but add. that the
jurisdiction of the legislative power of this
Government is larger than that of the Com
missioner Of Pensions, and that sooner or
later, although it may cost the country a
prolonged and steady effort. this truth will
become apparent
The Senate Committee on Pensions. in
their report recommending the passage of
certain private pension bills over the Presi-
dents veto. say they will make q strong ef-
fort TO restrain a feeling of indignation,
which, if permitted TO assume the proper
tons which the provoeation justifes. would
wholly destroy those respectful forms of ex-
preston which must be maintained in Of.
fetal intercourse.
Senator Hoar made an able attack upon
the Presidents Cval Service pretension, a
few days since. He said. in jnd sing Of the
Presidents fidelity 10 the cause Of reform,
one must look not only 10 the President
oan conduct and policy, but 70 the conduct
ard policy Of those officials whom he had
selected and clothed with power, whose ex-
ecu,lon Of the law it was his sworn duty 10
supervise and control. Judging from this
test the Senator from Massachusetts, did not
find that the Executive had kept or had at
tempted 10 keep the pledges which had pre-
ceded and followed his election.
lie also said ina, no presiden; Of the Tn
tied States. not even Washington. had been
treated by his countrymen with m indul-
geuee like that which had been extended to
Mr.. Cleveland. This too. while his com
petitor for the grea, office Of the Presidency
with his brilliant record OF public service for
twenty years. idolized by such large numbers
Of his oountrymen, who believed that had
the peoples will had It's lawful and constitu-
,ional expression he would now be in the
sea, which is Of right his, had been
pursued even To his retirement with
malignity unsurpassed in political war
fare.
The bill introduced by Senator Edmunds
for increasing the Presidents appointing
powers, while it frees the President from
Senatorial checks in the appointment Of a
large body Of public servants, yet takes from
him the power Of removal Or Suspension. It
enlarges the scope Of the civil service law
BY fixing Presidential appointments for
four wears. The difficulty with the prescn,
Civil Service law" said Mr.. Edmunds. rs
the power Of unlimited removal that exists
in the President and heads OF Departments. =
II the people Of the United States really
wish for a civil service reform that will tax
the great body Of these mere Administrative
Offices on, Of the circle Of politics, = that
they will cease 10 be the prizes and rewards
for party services, they have the power 10 DO
i, through Congress.
Il believe" continued Mr.. Edmund..
THAT the work Of the government will go
infinitely better Gust as it has been found in
all the States), and that contests of politics
will become, to a much greater extent. con.
tests as to public measures, and will cease
10 be struggles a. to who shall have the
honors and emoluments of Offices. And IN
the course Of few years, Il this law were
now passed, and Republican successor Of
Mr.. Cleveland should hnt all Offices filed
with Democrats. the whole thing would adj
just itself, because during each four years al
the offices would have become vacant, and
have been redlled, and consequently there
need no; bean the coming IN of any admins
tra'ion or the outgoing Of one, any scramble
or hurryips on 10 Washington By thousands
10 secure places. Vacancies would occur
from day 10 day, week 70 week, and month
to month, and would be filed in the regular
wa