The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-18
Commissioners and Commissions.

The subjoined remark by the C0urierJouT-
nal does not manifest q perfect oomprehen-
sion Of the true inwardness Of things:
"Tho Republicans were ineesSAnt in their ridicule
and condemnation Of President CLEVELAND for ap-
pointing . Commissioner TO look into the Hawaiian
question, but thorO In little business either at homo
or abroad which President MoKnLR 10 not seeking
to tranhAot by Commissioner"
In accordance with all presidents in our
own history and in that Of other nations,
the President has appointed Commission
to negotiate q treaty Of peace with Spain.
The members Of this Commission sailed
yesterday to meet at Paris the Commission
ers representing Spain. The treaty neRo-
tiHted by this Commission will be subject
to ratification by the United States Senate.
The Commissions functions are legitimate,
customary and necessary.
The only other Commission" now in sight
to warrant the Courier oaundP8 remark is
the committee which the President desires
to form for the investigation Of certain fea-
lures Of theiWar Departments management
Of the war. There have been complaints and
charges concerning the ineficiency Of some
Of the bureaus. and Mr.. MCKINLEY wants the
truth brought out and clearly exhibited
to the people. Our opinion is that the
task properly belongs to Congress, and that
the conclusions Of such q committee as the
President is trying to constitute would
carry little weight, on account Of the alb
senoO Of legal power. But that has nothing
to do with the present question. II such a
committee L. formed, and II 1t conducts
such an investigation as the President de-
sires, It will have begun and finished its
work wholly as an extra-ofacial body, with
out any relation whatever to the Govern
ment Of the United States, and consequent
ly without any usurpation Of rights orpow-
ers belonging to any department Of the
Government. Mr.. MCKINLEY will have
procured the opinion Of certain private citl-
Eens, and that lie all.
Now, the sending out of commissioner
BLoUNT to Hawaii by Mr.. CLEVELAND was
quito adinerent proceeding, as the Courier
journal ought to know. That was a direct
assumption by tho Executive Of powers Con-
stttutionally belonging to the Senate. Mr..
BnoUNT was appointed by Mr.. CLEVELAND
N his sole authority, without confirmation
by tho Senate. to override and supersede q
Minister Of the United States who had
been appointed by the President and con-
f1rmed by the Senate, q the Constitution
requires 1t was expressly stated by Mr..
CLEVELAND In Mr.. BLoUNTs credentials that
BLouNTs authority was paramount over
that Of the legally appointed Minister to
Hawaii; and upon this theory Of personal
Government by the Executive. for the first
time In tho history Of the United States set
up by Mr.. CLEVELAND In his desperate pur-
pose to overthrow little republic and to re-
establish a disreputable monarchy, the
whole infamous business was conducted by
BnoUNE with results now sufficiently IA
miliRr to everybody.
mvasions Of the rights Of other branches
Of the Government. self-arrogation of pow
ers not conferred upon him by the Consti-
tuition. efforts to override and nullify the
Congress. arc not among the offences which
can be attributed to President MCKINLEY
by even the least candid of his political en-
emies. The CouTier-JouTnal knows better.