The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-27
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When news Of the resignation OF the
president OF France reached Washing
ton CITY the correspondent OF the Gin
emmett Tribune started out TO interview
senators and representatives with q
conundrum which. barring OF course
ats absurdity In Clevelanxi's case. IL
nevertheless a. curious question:
III Grover Cleveland should conclude
10 follow the example OF Casi1nir Perier
and rid himself Of an ONCE which has
brought nothing but embarrassment
and humiliation 10 him, how would he
80 TO work to do TT"
The constitution provides only for
the succession to the presidency. II
suggests shat the president can re-
sign. but does not Indicate to whom his
resignation should be rendered. 1t de-
clares that I'm case Of the removal Of
the president from Office, or his death,
resignation or inability to discharge
the powers and duties OF the said Office
the same shall devosve on the vice pres
idens." 1t Is manifest that the trainers
OF that instrument did not seriously
contemplate the possibility OF the res
isnatioa Of the president, or come
method for that procedure would have
been formulated.
The replies show q wide difference OF
views, and are interesting Senator
Chandler. OF New Hampshire. at first
thought that the president could not
resign: that he could simply renounce
his Office and get out. leaving the vice
president to step into his shoes. He
could not resign TO a superior officer,
because there was none. He could not
resign to the body which elected him,
because It was out Of existence. There
was nothing left fer him therefore "but
to drop into oblivion with perhaps some
kind OF unofficial announcement to
that effect" On second thought, how
ever. Mr.. Chandler said that the letter
of resignation would probably be adj
dressed to the vice president or in his
absence to the person standing next In
line OF succession.
Senator Piatt, of Connecticut, who is
perhaps the best constitutional lawyer
ON the Republican side OF the senate,
at FIRST humorousiy suggested that the
president might issue handful set
ting out his reasons, and have It gen.
orally circulated" He finally came to
the conclusion that letter of resigna-
ton would probably be addressed to
the congress of the United States IL in
session. or otherwise to- the secretary
OF state, with a notice also to the per-
son who would be the successor. Sem
ator Hill. OF New York. said: ''As that
Is a contingency which will never arise,
! think shall have to decline to an
swer"
Senator Mitchell. OF Oregon, who was
appealed to as an expert, had evidently
considered the possibility, for he
promptly gave his views. THE con-
ssitutlon says nothing about it, said
Mr.. Mitchell. and l am frank TO say
that II / were president the question
would not be a live enc. but suppose
IL President Cleveland should want to
resign his proper course would be to
send a special message to congress.
The house OF representatives. stands
for the people OF the country and the
senate stands for the states. / do not
sec why he should resign 10 the vice
president or the secretary OF state. In
doubleday ut the same time that lie
sent his message to congress he would
send duplicate announcement to the
aud perhaps TO the secretary of state.
who has charge of the archives and Is
the medium OF communication with for
edgn ceuntrics.''
Congressman Bryan. OF Nebraska.
thought that the letter OF resignation
would be sent TO the secretary of state.
and that the president might also send
q message 70 congress announcing the
fact that he had done so. Congressman
Russell. OF Connecticut. thought the
resignation should be addressed to the
house OF REPRESENTATIVES,, which has In
certain contingencies the power Of elect
ing the president. Mr. Black. OF
Georgia. thought G. ought 10 go to con-
gress, and that Il would be ian absurd
idea" 20 send it to the secretary OF
state. Other opinions were as widely
apart as those quoted. one STATESMAN
thinking that as Private Secretary
Thereser IS .'tlae keeper Of the pr,esa-
dents conscience" he ought FIRST 20 De
T,xa SffSs IN frsss. rSAlye+ hnvxay@- ost
were agreed. That was. that no Anlera-
can president VIII ever resign. and GER
ta1niy not the present incumbent There
is therefore sso Likelihood that congress
wiz Feel called upon - Pass a law pro-
viding Tor 50 startling an event as con-
tessspiased sa tse query. Yet a great
nsaay people IN this coanfry today
would not grseye were Cleveland TO
initiate the action OF NJ Perser.