Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-07
FOR THE WING

| FOR THE WING.
| II another argument wanted to prove tina,
the present Constitution of Virginia requires amend
ment, il is furnished i'm recent appointment by the
Executive Council OF member of their orn 5odv to
De Register of the Land Office. say, n member OF
"tear orn body; for although the gentleman refer
req TO, was removed from office by the last LeCi
lure, yet his constitutional term of service did not
expire until the 2Sti day of the present mouth The
PTs"cpte Is the same, and is not varied by the cir
cumstance that the appontec would shortly surre,-
aef ms seat III the Executive body.-It is against
| "he PTtnctPte that protest. do not pretend to
question the motives of the Council, nor To pass
Judgment upon the qualifications of the Register
elect lay down this abstract proposition-that
IT'S an understandable, and dangerous exercise of
power tor the Executive Council to select their own
"'ehiDefs 10 Office, and II is this proposition which
81" prepared TO prove. II is Observation-Disclosures
'ause II Is violation of the clearly implied trust
conii'ed to them by the Constitution and laws The
appointing power is presumed be exercised with
the most perfect fmParftaiuy. II Il Councillor has
right to be elected, he has also right to- VOTE and
1t is requiring too much of man to expect that ne
VIII be an impartial eiector when he himself is a
candidate. 1t may be said, however, that the cam
oidate need not himself vote But what if a ma
Jorliy of the Council should want an Office which ;s
III their own git! presume if one has all have a
right to covet the loaves and fishes -In such ca So
therefore, If the candidates should absent themselves
on the score of dclicacy there would he no Council
would occur, either that gentlemeS, must abandon
their public duty or be guilty of gross ndelicacy i'm
relation to themselves. The power is not ONLY uu-
warrantabc but dangerous. It is dangerous to the
purity OF the electoral boyby presenting the strong
est temptations to frOriitsm and Intrigue There
is an epr,f ducorps in all public bodies and asso-
CITATIONS oil individuals, and it is perfectly natural
that they should prcfer another to strangers or
Others even OF superior qualifications What kind
OF competition would gentleman from the country,
lot example, ci equal or superior fitness, have with
councillor, who Is in constant habits of intimacy
with his associates anc who can 50 easily appoac oh
them with the winning and Establishments OF
popularity Pure as the Executive Council NAV
now be, the time might arrive when the power of
appointing each other Ia office, would give rise to
system OF bargaining and fat al to their
independence and integrity!
There is another consideration WHICH is entitled
10 much weight in showing the danger of the prcce-
dent, which has been established. The compensa-
ton to the members of the Council is specific sum
which is annually divided among them In pfopor-
iion, therefore, the Councillors are diminished i'm
number their profits are Increased, and i they could
ocstow ohccs upon one half Of their body the re-
manning half would exactly receive double pay
In this way, the double pleasure and adva na ge
would ARISE, o not only accommodating their friends
put themselves too Far be it from me TO insnuate
that such consideration could have actuated tl,e
present Executive. am willing to admit that they
were as Tree from sordid contamination other inn
proper motive, as men could be but are we sure
that any public body will always remain pure -
May not men of low and corrupt minds at some flu
turc day. gain admission into the Executive Depart
rnente
lbelieve there is precedent justify the course
which has been pursued, and if there is, it only
proves the greater necessity of correcting the evil
The suggestions which Ihave made are purely alb
stract' and disinterested. AS Il citizen, have a
right TO complain of what think wrong, either in
the law, or the administration of the law-It is a
right shall always exercise without feor.
OBSTA PRINCIPLES