Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-09

.ne emcient and safe organization of the Executive
A'efe the dihcuity was of no common order, re-
sui'ing from the peculiar character of the Office,
requiring It 10 be confidsd TO single functionary
YET surrounded by every allurement to wrong bias,
as respected the Persons who we're 10 bestoy as
well as those who were 10 DISCHARGE IL In rrIa
ton to this subject we appeared, to Mr.. Archer,
70 nave adopted the most beneficial and efficient
regulations which 1t was in the competency of
wisdom to devise The Office had been rem
dered eiective-limited to a short term reno
veo, az respected the election, from the sea,
pau influence, and referred to the disposal
VI ,hose who, from various causes, were least
iiaoe to the access of this influence But result
ing a'ihcuity was presented. a majority of the
Gec'orai votes must be requisite TO an election
OF oy the influence of the distractions of public
sentiment, 1t might be placed in the power of an
s r minority, to dispose of the office
nen 'a!s contingency must be provided for, of
o's'rouuon OF the electoral votes, giving to each
person receiving any portion ofhema suffrage less
,hah 'nat OF majority. What had been the regu-
iauon provided, in reference to the occurrence of
this contingency! The contingency was not ex-
pec'ed, however, frequently 10 occur. The depths
oi poitncal refinement would not be expected to
its occurrence.
In tie event of its occurrence, the difficulty it
created, would be pressing. An arrangement
winch was immediately available, would be in re-
ques'' and that which presented itself most oby-
ousiy, ana was the most easily available, would
therefore be preferred. In failure of the primary
eiec'ion, the persons the best entitled 10 supply the
p'ace OF mo original electors, in conducting it,
would be their Representatives ';,;stse nerson,
would be required TO be in assemblase too. at the
titns oil the difficulty requiring provision in the
discharge OF ether functions. They would be re-
commended then by all the considerations alleged:
'1e pressure OF the difficulty for arrangement the
ooviousness OF this particular arrangement the ia
chy OF Its adoption, the relation of these persons
10 'ne original electors, for the discharge of this
resulting Office OF election Such ere The consi-
oe'ations, MT A. said, which mus, have operated
win Inc trainers OF the Constitution in the intro
auction OF this provision. A farther ;iuducement
was probably found, in the fact, that the action of
representative bodies had been known TO them only
IN us BEST forms, and most favorable aspect 4
body OF this character had recently carried them
successfully through the struggle of,he Revolution.
win no room Tor suspicion, that such a BODY
"ou'd ever be iound eyincing dere,ic,ion 10 the
WIZ OF us constituents; 20 which the mode as well
as The principle OF its compositions would bind il 10
sH'servience Such considerations as :hese MIR
q. insisted and no independent and intrinsic views
VI Po"ey, interference TO PECULIAR qualification or
proper adaptation for the Office, had induced The
selection OF the national Representatives, for its
discharge. The failure of this provision, there
oe wen called into practical operation, consti-
slitution, hsJ the unconiested 'ns Con
fSamers. TWAS provision for eu,r. oi It's
~ expected to occur, selected for its facility, ob-
vousness, and ready adaptation TO the occasion;
and not from its intrinsic Recommendations, in
reference to the elective function be discharged.
But we were now enlightened as respected the real
character and effect of this provision by knowledge
which was denied 10 the farmers Of the Consiiiu-
ien, deriv ed from practical experiment of its mode
oil operation. On the first trial, the first occa-
sion oil the election being devolved on the House
OF Representatives, what had been the spectacle
exhibited 70 the Indignation of the People? Ballots
were taken day after day and night after night un-
til ihrty-seven ballotmgs had taken place, before
the kno,cn and uncontested public riH was al
lowed to be triumphant. We have the light of
this example, denied to the trainers of the Consti-
tuition. Having been conversant with re present a
| tive bodies only in their purity, their provision
was not made for state OF things, of the possible
occurrence Of which they had formed no concep-
ton. This provision OF the Constitution has been
twice acted On; the election has twice been trough,
before the House. He should not alude 10 the
second advent in any feeling of acrmony; but,
this he might be allowed 10 say, that the res,l, OF
this reference had given entire public satisfac-
ton. he did no; say this ought to have been The
effect; he was simply speaking TO the fac, this
was the effect. No matter how correctly the
election conducted, such was tie result; and
III all the persons engaged in it above the
reach OF human infirmi,y. whenever the election
comes to lie House, such Dissatisfaction will ensue
why IS this! Because, three candidates being sent
rom The primary elections be elecel
but by combination among the friends of tl,
i other two! and no matter bow pure NAV be The
principles and views Of ell parties suspicion ui
attach, that mprope, considerations have iniluen-
ced the result. He onld say, that no Executive
elected under such circumstances, could be efficient
/ and pure. Tie effects of discomfort will always
show themselves, first on the efficiency, and Sc
I eondly on The purity Of Government Tie Execu-
tive is only the organ Of TIE public will IL the
People attach suspicion 10 his motives and con-
duct, his administration cannot be Efficient VIII.
cannot it be pure? Because. il an administration
he not supported BIZ the People, il must seek
support by oihef modes. This is the law OF human
/ nature. II the fabric cannot stand firm and safe
on its proper foundations IL must be sustained by
buTesses which are external. Ii the GoveInment
has not the support OF the people, il frust perIa ID
il ought, 10 resort to the means Of corruption for
lie support. II, then, such are 10 be ie results
ought We not TO oeclnde this House 10 the aJven
Of this election? = ought rot 10 take the cleo
ion from the House if it be likely 10 come her
again!
/ And was it likely 10 come AGAIN. This even
must always hereafter occur. The period couL
scarcely be conceived, in which il could bereafte
be avoided. Such period not only could not ar
4 rive, he hoped it never would arrive; for he fel
4 pride in believing, that there would always b.
four or five persona brought before the People, a
candidates for this high station, who would all b.
entitled byiheir merits and abilities to the suffra
! ges OF their fellow citizens. The country bein,
divided into geographical sections, and educarioi
wide } and generally diffUsed, talent in variou
quarters would be elected, equal TO this elevate,