Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-29
E1e CONSTITUTIONAL TUblly.
THURSDAY MORNING, MAY %, 1929.


ministerial Offices such as Pest Masters Collectors
Rnreivers. &c. and this paper and others, having
reminded him of the cases of Senator Chandler OF
Wai,ie made collector of Portland Jeromus johnson,
Of New York appraiser of goods, Mr.. Owen OF Ala
bama, Collector of Mobile, and Mr. Slower of New
Sork, receiver iii Forda--the Editor of the Enaui-
SER siraightway charged this to be sophistication,
Tor that neither oftose gentlemen were members of
Congress at the time of their appointment The
Enquirer has long since foeited its character for
real candor, while it preserved the seblance of fair
Sress but this last instance of disingcnuousness, is
palpable without pausibility The naked fact is So
That Messrs. Chandler, johnson, Owen and Slower,
were not members Of Congress at the moment they
we're aPpointed; bnt they were members on the cd
March. few days antecedent to their appointment
end the conclusion will scarcely be doubted or dspu-
ell. that their appointment supernduced by the
circumstance of their being members of Congress-
and tho opportunities this afforded of advancing their
wishes. What is the reason of the rule, that would
exclude members of Congress from eligibility to sub
hordinate executive Offices? Upon what grounds
CID Cen Jackson place it in his letter to the Ten
nessee Legislature and upon What grounds does Mr
Richie himself admit its proplety, and con-
tend for the necessity of establishing it, Why that
Should be- kept above sispcion-that their indepen-
drnce should not be liable to be tampered with by
Executive infuence--that they should have no temp
taton to betray the people for occ-tfat they should
no held TO the discharge OF their representative dr-
iss not merely by the ordinary ties which bind the
representative to the constituent but blythe Withdraw
u of the of tempting their fidelity. These
are the considerations which have effected an almost
-
InemoeFs Of Congress from executive patronage.
These were strongly enforced by Gen. Jackson in
his letter to the Ganeral Assembly cohoed BY the
whole Jackson has in 1925, and acknowledged and
admitted 10 be uanswerabc, by all parties aud des-
cription of men, The question recurs, if the reason
or the rule docs not apply with equal force az the
cases of Messrs. Chandler, Iohnspn Owen and Stow
e, as if theyhad been members of Congress al se
instant they were appointed bet take the case
df Mr. Chandler. He was Senator from a State
wholly opposed TO Gen. jackson, yet he persevering-
y for four years together ro;srepresented its wishes
in every political vote in the Senate Of the u. States
Tie was elected for years, and being thus secured
Tom removal would neither resign, represent his
constituents. During these four years, the battle
Was fought. BY his aid in the Senate tho Jackson
party srcured majority, and wrested every legisia-
tive event aud circumstance TO the advancement Of
the cause of their chief md idol Is it uncariatle
Or improbable TO suppose that Nir. Chandler was in
auenced by the hope of prospective remuneration
Would man for four years together, nlisrepresent
his constituents every vote, destroy his populari
~ at home, and set defiance every consideration
Which ordinarily sways the conduct of the upright
representative, without some n,otre for it--,ytont
same equivalent INLAND or in the BUSH in possession
drnexpectancy? Vhe common sense and experience
Of the world will unanimously in the negative.
What has actually occurred to confirm, suspicion?
Gen. Chandler has received lucrative appointment
from the man whom he supported ogainst his duty TO
his constituents. Docs any man believe that Gen.
Chandler woaid have been appointed collector Of
Portland but for the obligations he laid The President
tadcr, by the support of him and his party in tho Sc
1fate' Would Mr. Johnson Mr.. Owen or Mr. Stow-
tr, men unknown TO the nation, have been appointed
~ important Offices, but for the advantage which
their situation in Congress gave them, 10 drive on
f.ren wishes to prosperous ssuc' If this be 50,
the Of the rue applies with as much
force as if they had been members Of Congress
On tho LIST April instead of the Sd March. The mo-
tive to desert the constituent operates with erlal
force whether the Office is bestowed pending or when
he has ceased to be membsx of Congress. The
t51ect is to keep the conduct 6f members Of Con-
gycss uninfuenccd by executive patronage, and this
object is equally defeated by dispensing the patrOa
age, while they members. upon their irnmcdi-
8tely ccasing to become SO. What miserable quib-
bling them is It to say, that Nessrs. Chandler, John
son Owen and Slower were not members Of Con-
gfess, when they not ten days before their
appointment How preposterous Is it in the Editor
Of the Enquirer to affect great zeal TO have the rule
Of excluding members OF Congress observed, and
then pretend to think the instances enumerated, no
violation Of its spirit and utility
Phe ubsurdity of the thing is easily exposed, Mr..
Ritchis is great advocate for the excluding rule
vet contends that it has not been violated in the