The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-10
CLEVELAND AS A LECTURER.
HIS FIRST ADDRESS To PRINCE
TON STUDENTS.
Discusses the Creation and Neces-
sity for an Executive Branch in
the Government. Presidency he
ing Pre-eminently Peoples once.

PRINCETON. y. j.. April a-Ex-p resi-
dent Grover Cleveland delivered the first
OF his two lectures on The Independence
Of the Executive" in Alexander hall to-
night before large and enthusiastic au-
dience. President Patton introduced the
speaker with a brief speech, and as Mr.
Cleveland rose 10 begin his lecture the au-
dierce greeted him with rounds OF APP
pause. The lecture throughout was lis
tened to with marked attention. and at
Its close Mr.. Cleveland was greeted with
prolonged applause.
Mr.. Cleveland began by speaking OF the
indictment presented by the original thir-
teen colonies against the oppressive exer-
else OF executive power by the king OF
Great Britain. The colonists dreaded a re-
petition Of these abuses through the pow
ers that might devolve upon an American
president. Thus the article of confedera-
uon provided for no executive head but
in the constitutional convention. ten years
later. II was conceded that II the expert
ment OF popular government were TO be
successful an executive branch invested
with power and responsibility must be one
of It's essential factors.
In the scheme of our national govern
ment as then established. the president
is pre-eminently the peoples office. Tho
laws passed by congress are inert and
vain without executive impulse: and the
federal courts pass upon the right Of the
citizen only when their aid IL OCCASION
ally invoked; but under the constitutional
mandate that the president shah take
care that the laws be faithfully executed, -
every citizen Is constantly within the pro-
lection and restraint OF the executive
pow or Then, furthermore. II In only in
the selection OF the president that the body
of American people can by any possibility
act together and directly In the equipment
of their national government. To the wis-
dom OF the men who composed the conven-
executive department limited against any
possible danger cf usurpation or tyranfe'
but at the same time strong and indeper-
dent within its limitations.
Mr.. Cleveland then reviewed the de-
bate In the first session of congress in
1859 over the power OF the president under
the constitution to remove an officer APP
pointed by him by and with the advice
OF the senate. The outcome OF this de-
bate was a legislative construction of the
constitution TO the effect that the presi-
dent had the power OF removal without
the participation or Interference OF the
senate. But the question was again
raised in 1886 In sharp contention be-
tween the senate and the president. In
order to make clear the nature of this
controversy, which he expects TO discuss
in detail in the second lecture. Mr.. cieve-
land described the tenure of office act
passed In 1867 for the express purpose OF
preventing removals from office by Presi-
dent Johnson, and compared II with the
tenure of office legislation passed in 1858
during President Grants first admins
tration.
81 fully appreciate the fact" said Mr..
Cleveland In closing, that partisanship
follows party organization: that IL is ap,
TO be unduly developed in all psfties, and
that II often hampers the best aspirations
and purposes of public life, but | hope
have reached a condition when can
recall such adverse partisanship, ms many
have entered into past conflicts and per-
plexities without misleading irritation or
rejudce-especially on such an occasion
as this"
The lecture will appear In fun in the
forthcoming number of the Atlantic
Monthly