Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-17
POST OFFICE APPOINTMENTS.

The Editor of the 'sGenus of Liberty is strictly
right, when he questions the propiety of our annun-
citation OF the appointment of the Postmaster for the
City of Richmond, as being By the President. The
fact Is so nevertheless. The appointment ,cos and
'cds not, made by him. By the act of Congress of
lbiO, consolidating the Post Office Laws il is pro-
vided that the Postmaster General sshail establish
post otces, ana appoint postHasiers, at all pla-
ces, &c. The President is not med in the act, ex-
cept In the section which designates those who shall
have right to frank letters. It's nevertheless true
that as the Postmaster General himself derives his
office from the Presdent and is responsible to him
Tor the due discharge ofthe duties ofthe office, SO in
practice the opinion Of the President has come TO
be taken on all appointments of Postma sters
where the magnitude of the compensa,i ton and
the trust Is above certain amount-in all
appointments, for example, for the piincipal
cities; and 1t may be supposed that his O.
p'hion, when expressed, is conclusive in regard to
such appointments Being generally thus consult
ed, he was, no doubt, consulted in the case of Gov
PREsToN's appointment. Indeed, the known friend
snip existing between the President and Gov. Pres
ION, lett no doubt on our minds that the selection
was made by the President, and we so announced
II, iuaccurately to the letter of the law but we
nave no doubt correctly, the fact. The selec-
ton is one to which will take an execution
So proper has appeared the practice of consulting
the President on these appointments, that it has
oeen more than once proposed in Congress to place
directly with the President, with the advice and con-
sent OF the Senate, the appointment of all Post
masters, at Offices whose emoluncnts Ina We IN
the year preceding exceeded a certain sum,-sav one
thousand dollars. Such provision we think high
ly proper. The power which the letter of the Law
has conlded to the Postmaster General is too great
to be held, independently by any Individual howe
yer upright, dsinterested, and trust worthy Huma,
nature is hardly proof against the Temptation te
weld such power for party personal purposes
In saying this, we beg not to be understood as in
tending TO insuate that tile power of the Office has
been used by the incumbent of the office As faI
| as our knowledge extends, he has administered
! the office with single eye to the public intere,.
and convenience. MAJ. Int.
Among the many good things" as we'll as GOOD
feelings, that the arrival of La Fayete i'm America
has gwen rise to, may be reckoned a new stimuIous
TO our military brethren. Several new compauies
have been forihed in this city and Its vicinity unop
the occasion, and II we mistake more impor-
tant feature OF Improvement is to he traced TO this
happy event. We have during the few fair even
ngs that have lately oscurred noticed our military
friends engaged i'll clhse and attentive exercise in
the city square, with spirit and industry that we
are cochdcnt will ensure the most complete success
1t is only by this close private discipline that our
companies will be enabled to keep up that credit,
which they are anxious 10 deserve
The spirit oil Improvement is by no means confn-
ed to our own ciy-The papers from the south TEEN
with calls Tor military meetings for Improvement in
company and battalion exercise. The city of W si-
ington seems peculiarly animated on the occasion.
Several companies are there making their first an
pearance. one or 2 OF which are spoken of in terms
OF the highest commentator, well for appropri-
ate aud elegant uniform, for the more substa
virtue of precision in tactics.
Further south, we are informed the manifestation
oil sucn spirit would be peculiarly Desirable less
attention has been paid to this subject
The Mayor of Baltimore has issued his procla-
ton, authorizing illumination OF the city, OH the
night OF the orrival of Gen. La Fayct,e.