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HarpWeek Commentary: Tenure of Office ActOn March 2, 1867, Congress passed the Tenure of Office Act over
President Johnsons veto. Harpers Weekly reported its progress in the
Senate (issue of February 2), House (issue of February 16), and both the Senate and the
House over Johnsons veto (issue of March 16) but only in its Domestic News
Column under "Congress".
The Tenure of Office Act prohibited the
President from removing government officers, including Cabinet officers, without the
advice and consent of the Senate. It was Johnsons deliberate violation of this act
by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton that led to Johnsons impeachment in 1868.
However, at the time of passage, Harpers
Weekly paid no editorial attention to the Tenure of Office Act. |
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Congress, February 2, 1867, page 67
In a debate on the
bill to regulate the tenure of office Mr. Sumner said "it was the duty of Congress to
protect the loyal people against the President. There was no precedent in this particular.
There was no such duty against our fathers, for the President had not become an enemy to
his country." Mr. MDougal rose to a point of order that such terms against the
Executive were unparliamentary, but the Chair declined to sustain him. The bill was
finally passed on January 18 by a vote of 29 yeas to 9 nays. The measure deprives the
President of the power to appoint or remove any officers except the members of his Cabinet
without the advice and consent of the Senate, and effectually prevents removals and
appointments during the recess of Congress, except in certain specified cases, and in such
contingencies subjects them to the action of the Senate within twenty days after its
reassembling.
Congress, February
16, 1867, page 99
The Senate Tenure of
Office bill, prohibiting the President from removing officers without the advice and
consent of the Senate, was adopted in the House on February 2, by a vote of 111 yeas to 38
nays. An amendment, including Cabinet officers among the others, was also adopted.
Congress, February
16, 1867, page 163
The Tenure of Office bill
was passed by the Senate and House over the Presidents veto, without debate, on
March 2. It is now a law.
The President sent
in his veto of the Military Reconstruction bill on March 2; both Houses in their evening
session on the same night passed the bill over his head, and it is now a law of the land.
Articles Related to Overt
Obstruction of Congress:
Congress
February 2, 1867, page 67
February 16, 1867, page 99
March 16, 1867, page 163
How Long?
June 29, 1867, page 402
Reconstruction and Obstruction
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Summer Session
July 6, 1867, page 418
The Fortieth Congress
July 17, 1867, page 467
Thanks to the District Commanders
July 27, 1867, page 467
Impeachment Postponed
July 27, 1867, page 467
A Desperate Man
August 13, 1867, page 546
The Secretary of War
August 24, 1867, page 530
Samson Agonistes at Washington (cartoon)
August 24, 1867, page 544
The Stanton Imbroglio (illustrated satire)
August 24, 1867, page 542
Secretary Grant
August 31, 1867, page 546
Southern Reconstruction
August 31, 1867, page 547
The Political Situation
September 7, 1867, page 562
General Thomas
September 7, 1867, page 563
Southern Reconstruction
September 7, 1867, page 563
The General and the President
September 14, 1867, page 578
General Sickles Also
September 14, 1867, page 579
Southern Reconstruction
September 21, 1867, page 595
The Presidents Intentions
September 28, 1867, page 610
Impeachment
October 5, 1867, page 626
The Main Question
October 5, 1867, pages 626-627
Suspension during Impeachment
October 19, 1867, page 658
"Disregarding" The Law
November 2, 1867, page 691
Impeachment
December 14, 1867, page 786
General Grants Testimony
December 14, 1867, page 786
The Presidents Message
December 14, 1867, page 787
General Grants Letter
January 1, 1868, page 2
Secretary Stantons Restoration
January 25, 1868, page 51
Reconstruction Measures
January 25, 1868, page 51
The President, Mr. Stanton and General Grant
February 1, 1868, page 66
Romeo (Seward) to Mercutio (Johnson) (cartoon)
February 1, 1868, page 76
The War Office
February 1, 1868, page 77
Secretarys Room in the War Department (illus)
February 1, 1868, page 77
The New Reconstruction Bill
February 8, 1868, page 83
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