Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-02-12
Member of the Associated Press.
The President and the Senate.

The President and the Senate.
President Coolidge declines to yield
to the Senate u vital executive func-
ton, the power of appointment and
the accompanying power OF dismissal.
The President has promptly and
squarely met the issue prccipitated by
the Senate's action III declaring it to
be the sense OF that body that the
President should Immediately request
the resignation of the Secretary Of
the Navy. He declines to give official
recognition to an expression of the
opinion of a majority Of the members
of the upper house. He does not spe-
officially challenge their right to ex-
press their opinion. He does. how
ever. challenge their right to control
his actions as the executive i'll mat.
ters which lie strictly within the prov
ince Of the great Office he holds.
This statement by the President has
nothing to do with the merits Of the
case involved in the naval oil lease
scandal. There is no relation between
the exclusive right of the President to
make appointments, subject to the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, and to
make dsmissals solely upon his own
responsibility, and the question wheth-
or Secretary DENLY should or should
not be relieved of his Office on the
ground of his connection with the oil
leases. This point that the President
SO ably states is fundamental.
The President gives assurance that
IS soon as he is advised as to the
legality of the leases and of the perth
nent facts in all the transactions he
will take such action as seems essen
tial for the full protection Of the pub
lie interests He assumes full re-
sponsibility to the people "for his con-
duct relative to the retention or dis
rnissal of public officials He assures
the people that as soon as he can be
advised SO that he may act with en-
tire justice to all parties concerned
and fully protect the public interests
he will act.
Mr.. Coolidge reaches plane of
great strength when he says: II do
not propose to sacrifice any innocent
man for my own welfare, nor do pro-
pose to retain in Office any unfit man
Tor my own welfare In other words,
this matter is to be handled without
political considerations. 1t is to be
handled on the basis of equity and
Justice. 1t is to be handled on the
principles of righteousness. And no
consideration of immediate personal or
political advantage will weigh to in
duce action calculated to win passing
public approval.
The American people can be trusted
to indorse and strongly support the
President in this position. He has
stated an inviolable principle which
lies at the root of the American or
ganization of government. He has
stated it in a manner to be understood
by all.
The wrath of the public is aroused
today against official corruption and a
thorough moral cleaning is demanded.
To divert any of this righteous iudig.
nation from blasting criminals to the
pursuit with equal vehemence of those
accused of mistakes in public policy
or errors in constituting the words of
statutes or even neglects Of duty
without criminal intent is to confuse
the moral issue and perhaps in the
confusion to facilitate the escape of
criminals.
Who doubts that the nation will re-
spond with confidence and enthusiasm.
not only to President Coolidge's pro-
test against legislative usurpation of
vital executive function, but also to
his declaration that he will not for
selfish purposes, personal or partisan.
either sacrifice the innocent or permit
the guilty to escape?