The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-07
Observation-Disclosures
EX-PREsIDENT CLEyELAND's TIME
LY AND SIGNIFICANT WORDS.
Points Out the Growing Tendency of
the Senate to Interfere with
Executive Rights.

offices whose incumbents require confirma-
ton, the Constitution plainly enjoins that
the President shall nominate TO the Senate
the persons selected by him as fit incum-
bents of such offices; and that thereupon
the Senate may confirm or reject the nomi-
nations thus submitted. 1t was intended
that the nominating officer and the confirm
ing body should, in performing their fune-
tions, act entirely independent of each
other; and when a rule gradually gained
sanction in the Senate, under which that
body determined to intervene against the
appointment, to the home postoffice Of any
OF its members, Of an incumbent personally
inimical TO him, this so-called rule of sena-
torial courtesy was conceded to be an inno-
walton, and was only justified on the ground
that no member of the Senate should be
subjected to the manipulation Of his home
mail by personal enemy.
In these days senators not only demand
the protection of this rule, but are ag
grieved If not permitted actually to select
an incumbent from the applicants. Though
neither the rule as originally in vogue, nor
its extension, furnishes any very practical
cause of complaint. they indicate the be-
ginng of departure from strict methods,
of such a departure. once entered upon. is
enlarged. They are, however, quite insig-
nificant when compared with the decided
inclination of the Senate TO insist upon
a much broader demand of senatorial cour-
tesy, which leads the confirming body to
fnterpose a check to the Presidents Sc
lections for all important offices located
within a State in cases where its senator's
belonging to the same political faith as the
PRESIDENT. have not been consulted and
their approval first obtained. Many re-
jections of presidential nominations by the
Senate have had no better justification.
Nor is this the limit reached by the growth
and indulgence of bad senatorial habits
Nominations for justices of the Supreme
Court of the United States. who can in
no sense be regarded federal officers
within State, have failed of confirma ton
through the efforts of a senator from the
State of their residence, whose objections
to the nominees. and his lack OF co-opera-
ton with the President in their selection.
seem to have been regarded as sufficient
causes for their defeat.
LEGISLATIVE INTERFERENCE
Further indications of the growth of such
bad habits. both in the Senate and House
of Representatives. in connection with
presidential patronage. are not lacking. 1t
now constitutes a grievance apt to be re-
sented in the Senate if members of the
House of Representatives as well as SEN
are not permitted to select from the ap-
plicants their home postmasters Indeed, it
is not a rare occurrence for senators and
representatives from a particular State TO
meet in consultation and arrange a list of
those who they may determine should fill
all the important federal Offices within
their State, on the principle of give and
take, and the interests of the different
parties in consultation may appear; and
when this list is submitted 70 the President
WI bar
distinct intimation that personal and poit-
| ical interests have been so nicely adjusted
In Its construction that any demur or inter
ference with its arrangement by the nom
mating officer would be most unfortunate
i have known both senators from great
State, belonging with the President to the
same political party, to terminate all inter
| course and communication with him be-
cause he Ventured TO make one or two nom
| nations TO office within their State in OPP
| position TO their wishes; and the resigna-
| ton of the two senator's from New York on
! account of their failure to coerce the Pres
! ident on question of patronage is still
we'll remembered. But why multiply evil
| dence of the manner in which bad habits in
our public life grow and extend? There are
| so many modern instances notorious and
| fresh in the public mind where Quarrels
| originating in presidential Office filing have
| broken out between the President and
| members of his party in the legislative
| branch Of the government that additional
| specification is unnecessary.
PRESIDENT UNJUSTLY BLAMED.
1t is very strange that in the face of these
conditons-and because of them-the
charge is often fiippantly made against
| the President that the loss of party har-
mony and the damage to party prospects
that frequently follow in the train of such
conditions, are sins of which he should bear
the guilt; and 1t is perhaps equally strange
that such an accusation should quite gen
1
out investigation challenge. 1t is not
beyond belief that a President, rather than
| live a life of turmoil or put in jeopardy
party unity and party prospects, might be
reconciled TO yield something of his pre-
| negatives and, in a measure al least, sur
| render TO others his judgment in the mat
| ter of office filling; but when, at the cost of
| his ease and comfort, and in defiance OF
| party clamor, he feels called upon 70 re-
| Sist unWarrantable attempts to interfere
| with duties and responsibilities for whose
| faithful discharge he is fully committed to
| his fellow-citizens, his motives should not
be thoughtlessly impugned nor his conduct
! lack defenders against unjust and mis-
| chievouS accusation.
| Though the troubles referred to as at
tending office filling are especially Attic
| tive at the beginning of a new incumbenCy
| il cannot be said that they are entirely
| confined TO that period. They are certainly
greater in volume and more virulent at
| that time than at any other; but so lons
| as vacancies in office must occasionally
occur, no administration will at any stage
be absolutely exempt from office-seekine
| visitation.
SHOULD BE IN HARMONY.
1t must not be supposed for a moment
that in an attempt to inaugurate better
conditions the President should hold him
self aloof from all consultations with sena-
tors and representative in Congress con
corning his selection of nominees TO office
such a course might deprive him of the op.
| portunity to obtain valuable information
| from those well qualified to speak OF tbs
| character and ability of applicants for Of
fee who are within their acquaintance. MOI
! should their declared preferences, or theii
| frank and sincere advocacy in behalf of Ger
/ tain applicants be always ignored or re
| garded with suspicion. Neither should party
/ consideration and the political standing Of
! candidates or their rendition of decent party
| service be entirely cast aside. None of these
agencies of presidential distress. or menace.
&c efficient and cleanly public service 1t j.
| only when recommendation are baseC
| wholly upon personal grounds. or upoT
| questionable partisan considerations with
out regard TO governmental interests, o.
when solicitation becomes a demand OF
when advocacy becomes a threat tina
troubles accumulate and dangers appear
That the existence OF these conditions in
wolves consequences infinitely more impor
tant than presidential tranquility or party
| harmony will be apparent to all who real
iZe how often and how largely the adoption
of executive recommendations of vital inter
est 10 our people depends not only on tn,
/ Derfunctory acquieScence but on the heartr
hum rod nrf