Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-06-05
PO1ITICAL,
POWER OE REMOVAL.
Fir. Maeiison's Notion on this Subject.

POWER OE REMOVAL
-Hr. .Hudisons Notion on this Subject
On the organization o. our government one of the
first subjects that up for discussion in Congress-
was thu power of the President remove public Of
fcers. The Constitution itself which was specific
III regard to appointments silent in regard 10 re.
Morals generally. Inasniuch, as the concurrence of
the St"ate was essential to the appointment of the
jore important officers, many were of opinion that
tire assent OF the same power necessary to their
Removal Washington was the President end even
nuder SD pure an executive the subject was regarded
withgreat anxiety by the first Congress. When the
Question OF the removal by the Eresure alone came
directly before Congress, the members we're nearly
equally divided. 1t was contended by those opposeI
tai broad construction, of the power of removal
That 1t would render sficers entirely dependent on
me NaW perhaps the "him ant caprice IF one mum.
Whatever confidence nigh. be placed in the Chief
Magistrate, then Mt the head of: the Government
equal confidence could be expected in his sIccoy
s"rs aud that the concurrence of the Senate was rs
necessary and proper in the rcnor1t as In tho an
krointnent Of officers, &c.
Onthc other hand. it urged that 10 rrncraj
me construction OF tho constitution OUGHT 20 h. c,
with the Judiciary, bnt that in this case it oirh, 20
no left with the President. Much stress was alsn
and upon the supposed virtue ofn President; and j,
Has admitted, that if he were disposed TO abuse TIE
power, evils would grow out of il. The uucs.
lion finally decided in the House, in favor Of th
PRESIDENTS sole power to remove, by a naiori,, of
only Tefre In the Senate, the vote was still closer
mat body was equally divided, and the custias cote of
tho Wee president, was in accordance with the other
House 0'
Pitkns History Of the United States, vol, il. IT, On
says,
with respect TO removals, from whim CAPRICE or
any unworthy motives, 1t alledged that sufficient
cheeks were provided agsiilst such wan,on abuse of
this power. That the principal if not the onry in
tluceuient foT the removal of mori,orious officer
would be, to place some fuvourite in his room The
president, indeed might remove, but he could no,
supply the vacancy without the assent of the Senate
,l'he nomination of successor, would elict inquiry
81 that body and produce rejection of the favourit
Nominated to- fill the Vacancy"
was also stated by some members, particularly
by Mr. Lawrence and Mr.. Madison, that for such
svauon abuse Of power, the President himself would
he liable to impeachment and removal from Office
eff the President" said MIR. lawrence .abuse.
ms trust Will he csrape the popular censure when
the period which terminates his elevation ;,rrvc>
And would he not he liable to impeachment for dis
1}aclng worthy and able man, who cnjoyed the
confidence of the people,"
The danger, thcn,'' hrr. Madison observed, scon
slsts in this, the President tspace from office
man whose merits require that lie should be confirm
I'D in What will be the motives which the Pres
dent can feel tor such abuse of his power and the
restraints to operate to prevent it? In the first pIace
fse will be impeachabe by this House, before the
Senate, for such an act Of NAL administration; for
contend, that the wanon removal Of meritorious Off
rers would subject hun to impeachment and removal
from his own hIgh trust.
Mr.. Hamilton was NOT member OF that Copsress !
Bht his opinion was unequvocaily opposed to the
Jisht Of the President alone to remove In No ~
y. p. Ala, Ala of the Federast appears the following
"h has been mentioned as one Of the advanta-
gsso DO expected from the cooperation Of the Sen
nte, 10 tile business of appointments, that it would
Contribute to the stability of the administration The
consent of that body would De necessary to dispace
as well aste appoint. Achangn of the chief nagis-
trate therefore, would not occasion so violent or SO
general revolution in the officers of the government
as might be expected il he the sole dsposer of
oiffccs. Where a man. in any station, had given
satisfactory evidence of his fitness for L. a new Pres
,dent would be restrained from attempting CHI nee
in favour OF person agreeable to him, by the
apprehension that the dlscountenance of the Senate
might Illustrate the attempt, AMI bring soHc dctree
OF discredit upon himself"
Peopeof Massachusetts; consider the seven fath-
s6i officers removed from the Boston Custom House
list Saturday, and all the others before driven from
the same Office. People OF the Uni,cl States con-
sfder all tho faithful public servants dismissed in al!
parts Of the country, to give place to e!cctoneering
Dartizans, and decide for yourselves, whether ttc
Drncipa if not the only iudtcGment for tie rcDor1i
'9fhtcsc merurioNs ?Bicers NOT 10 place Garo,-
.aesin tbct, oomr' If such were the 'iuduce,qe,,t"
.nen, thu opinion Of Mr.. NIacsDn avpIss 70 the
present ttnc.-[Coi. Cant.
CONGRESSIONAL REGISTER, vol l. p. ;,05.