West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-09-03
a PLAIN ISSUE.

n Nov Rests with the senate Alone to
show Cause why Honest CoIored
Democrat should Be sighted by the RE
pubIicans
When President Cleveland game into
Office Frederick Douglass. VINO is, next
20 senator Bruce, perhaps the best rep
rescntative that the cOlOred race has
put to the front, was occupying the fat
place of recorder of deeds for the Dis
rict of Columbia. lie had originally
been appointed by Mr. Hayes, for
the well-under,tood purpose of cater
ing TO the colorcd vote, TO the DO
sition of United States Marshal of
the District-a place which, under
the well-establiShed Washington
procedure, makes it's incumbent
the usher at the White House recep-
tons. When Mr.. Arthur came to the
Presidency he was quite indisposed to
do any injustice to Mr. Douglass, but
was equally indisposcd to permit a col
position. SO he appointed him to the
much more lucrative position of re-
corder of deeds, and put i'm Morton Nc
Michael, of Philadelphia, "a marshal
70 it was rs recorder OF deeds that
President Cleveland found him.
One of the first acts of the new Presi-
dent was TO teach Mr. Douglass that he
had no social scruples against him
He was personally invited to White
House receptions even in cases whore
invitations were very rare. He was
treated not only like man. but like a
gentleman. And when il came time
for him TO leave Office he left it with so
kindly am opinion of the Democratic
President that his published card
stands on record as one of the best Of
the tributes paid to the personal manli-
ness of that officer The card is Wig
orous Republican document: but it is
at the same time a glowing compli-
ment to the worth OF President Cleve-
land.
In the place OF Mr.. Douglass as re-
forder of deeds the President appointed
smother colored man-W. G.. Mathew
of Albany. The Republicans of the
Senate, who believe that no colored
man should hold Office unless ne votes
the Republican ticket, rejected the APP
pointment. There was no question of
the appointee's worth. The rejection
was purely partisan performance.
And now, after Congress has adj
journed, the President Teappoints the
rejected nominee. Mathews. 1t is
sharp issue with the Senate. If there
has been similar case i'm the history
of our country it has escaped us Yet
the President is Il thoroughly sound
lawyer and not likely to take step of
this kind without full consideration of
all its bearings. Whence does he get.
or whence does he think he gets, his
power?
Certainly not under clause ,. of sec
ton ,, OF article H. of the constitution.
That simply gives the power to nom-
nate, and, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, TO appoint GER
tain officers. This consent the Senate
has refused. But clause 3 of the same
section confers upon him another and
wholly distinct power, as follows:
The President shall have power To All all
vacancies that may happen during the recess
OF the Senate, by granting commissions which
shall expire at the end of their next session"
The retirement of Mr.. Douglass and
the rejection by the Senate of Mr. Math-
cws leaves vacancy, and the Prcsi-
dent under the above provision, finds
full power TO fill the Office nd interim.
His appointment will go to the Senate
again within thirty days after its re-
assembling, and it will once more have
TIE opportunity of acting upon it.
Cincinnati Enquirer.