Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1886-01-20
DAILY P0ST.INTELLIGENcER
Exrs.osDfxasY Aeues.

The deszl.ory remarks made 10 the
Senate on Monday 10 regard 70 the re
solution offered By Senator Frye IN re-
iati. n o the fsheii-s. indicate that The
Exseative Department, has taken an
other aggressive step In its reckks'
usurpstiJB Of the rights Of COpgres--
In addition 10 nallfyina the laws, OF
portions Of the LAYS, IN regard 70 the
noneys derived from the duties 90 i'm
ports. 10 regard 70 the trsnspori stion Of
ocean mails. In regard 10 the restriction
Of Chinese immigration and in regard
10 the navy, the Executive has ns~ con
piesed O convention with fsreign gov
eminent without either the advies or
consent Of the Senate. This infringe
mens uDon the constitutional rights Of
the Senate, however, 10 too bold and
open, and the senators Who have been
passive while one poSer Of C1nRress
after another vas being slowly usnrped.
are now beginning TO object. IL is not
Improbable tha, Secretary Bsyard and
the President will have some troubIe in
explaining their extraordinary aston.
The telegraph gives no Indication Of
the nature Of this convention in regard
10 the asasries, which has been con.
sisded With tbs Canadian Government,
farther than the statement that 10
provides for the establishment of
commission. probably for the adjust
meat Of claims arising from tbs dis
putss between American and Canadian
fshermen. Whistler IL 10 advantageous
10 the United States cannot be told
until tbs faIl text Of the convention is
seen. Judging from the remarks Of
bsnatsf Frye, IL Is not Of 81 advan
taaeous. Bot whether 10 be 90 or
not, It's execution should be resdsred
Impossible by Congress. No amount Of
temporary advantage could compensate
for the sviis arising from the establish
nsnt Of q precedent oy which the Pfesi-
deas would bs free 10 oonolu ie treaties
Wits foreign pswers without reference
10 the wishes Of the Senate.
IL would not be pleasant to see the
President. she Seorstariss Of State. the
Treasury. and the Navy and tbs Post
master General oompellsd 70 explain to
Congress and the psople why they have
disTegardsd and broken the laws, Why
they have usarped powers which con
ssisutienaiiy belong TO others, but pleas
ant or not, 10 woold be most beneficial.
Much 10 be regretted a. q conflict be-
tween two departments Of the govern
msnt would bs. 10 would be far better
than this gradual exp sasion of the p.w
ess OF the Executive. In nothing did
the trainers u the Consultation show
more wisdom than in providing that
there should be thres separate depart
ments of the government aud that each
department should be ~ nearly as pos
sible distinct from the others. TIE
clear lines drawn between the legi.la-
tive, executive and Judicial powers
afforded the most powerful protection
for the popular liberties. The people
should not. therefore, view without
alarm the gradual CELEBRATION OF these
lines-their gradual pervsrsion from
their true direction.
The action taken by the Senate in re-
gard 10 this last step will be awaited
With the greatest interest. Il 10 sincere
iy to be hoped that without regard &c
party affiliations the Senators will in
siss firmly and decisivsly upon the right
and privileges Of the senate.