Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-02-18

government position, and beg permis-
sion to see the papers of rival candi-
dates.
One old man from northwestern
state went so far as to intimate that he
would give five hundred dollars for per-
mission to see the papers of one of his
rivals. The appointment clerk replied
''You wrote a letter here stating that
that man had committed heinous
crime. The department has investi-
gated the matter, and finds that your
statement is untrue. How would you
like to have me show that man your
ibelous letter concerning him? He is
in the city and would like to see it."
The old man saw the necessity of hav-
ing himself protected, and then was
able to see the necessity of protecting
the other candidates. Every scrap of
paper written to one of the executive
departments in Washington is held in
sacred confidence. No power can COM
pei the executive branch of the govern
ment to violate that confidence. The
United States senate may resolve" and
re-resolve, but cannot compel the pro-
duction of papers of that nature.
Hence, throughout all time, if our pres
idents understand the situation, as they
probably will, the senate will be
obliged to consider executive nomina-
tions iu secret session.
The trouble which would arise from
the publication of all facts concerning
presidential nominations would be very
great, but, in comparison with other
troubles which would result, the sem
atorial phase would be small. There
are about six thousand presidential APP
pointments, while there are nearly
seventy thousand post Office ap-
pointments. If the facts concerning
the candidates in each presidential of
flee We're given to the public, the people
in all towns and villages would have a
right to know why certain appoint
ments were made, and they would de-
mand, reasonably enough, the publica-
ton of all facts in each case. You can
scarcely realize what this would mean.
There are always from two to twenty
candidates for the small post offices.
| WHY. even on the frontier prairie
where new town is starting everybody
wants to be postmaster; not that there
is any money in it, but for the honor of
it. These candidates ascertain who the
other candidates are and write all man
ner of scandalous gossip concerning
them tending to demonstrate that all
other candidates, are either dishonest or
in some other way unfit for the posi-
ton If the rival candidates in some
mining camp in the mountains, or in
some new town site on the prairie, could
only know the contents of those let
ters there would be rifles, ,revolvers and
bowie knives in the air. Villages would
date their local affairs from the time
when such and such q man was killed
at such and such cross roads. Every
neighborhood would be in ferment and
feuds would blossom upon every grocery
counter in the hamlets and at the cross
roads. These things would ultimately
result from open executive sessions OF
the senate.
During the last session of congress
there was an important nomination
pending for one of the middle states
and u distinguished senator, whom
many believed might be nominated fol
the presidency, appeared before com
mittee and made statements which
would have caused trouble if they haC
been seen in cold type. If the case re
ferred to had heen considered in oper
session, the senator would have beer
compelled to cause trouble in an inn
portant city do not believe that w,
shall ever have open executive sessions
SMITH ID. Fry.