Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-01

2 I, "Se, rs 'o'e may oe equaHy uivldedi and then
1900, Maryland gave votes for jefferson md 5
votes for Adams. New York at the last election
rescmbled Sampson when shorn Of his hair, and
reduced TO the strength Of a common snan. The
vote OF New York exactly balanced that OF Rhode
Island. The great republican principle is, that,
IS The will Of the majority SHALL prevail" There.
fore, the majority should give the vote Of the
State. And it maybe demonstrated, that, by lay
ing OIL State into districts, the miscrly may have
a larger representation than Tire majority.
Virginia chose Electors by districts; one Of her
Electors, MIR. Powell, in 1895, vc,cd fer JohnA.
dams in preference 10 Thomas Jefferson. At the
same time Pennsylvania and North Carolina each
gave AIR. Adams one vote. Those three cofes
lecfedhtHs. Thus those three States saw their
will defeated, and their liberties endangered, by 3
Of their Electors. Virginia then adopted the
mode OF voting by general ticket. whereby every
voter aids in deciding the will Of the State But
that did not AFFECT the next election, which was
decided hy New York II was the general ticket
system that enabled New York TO preserve the IL
be- ties o! the United Statcs.t Ii seems strange
that this policy should have been Abandoned
Wherever the district system is adopted, we may
presume that the ma jority IN the State Legislature
believe themselves 70 be in the minority of the
People OF the State. For, surely IF they believe
themselves 10 be i'll the majority, they would de-
sire that il should give the undivided vote OF the
State. BY the general ticket system, the MAORI
ty in the State gives the full vote of the State.
hope this system will never be given up by the
great States, or by the new States, which soon
will be great Thin amendment proposes that the
votes OF each Safe be all counted, and that the
greater number shall give the single vote of the
State.
Ii will be well for gentlemen duly to consider
the proceedings in this House, when, for many
days, party Struggled TO make Aaron Burr Pres-
dent OF The United States, sltho' not one Of the
People, when voting, intended that he should be
PRESIDENT; when many were resolved 10 adhere to
that design, at the risk of civil war. They will
do well to consider duly the proceedings here in
1925, and all that has been said of them; to con-
slider the history Of elections Of Kings of Polond,
by Mobiles, and OF Popcs, by Cardinals; and they
will. think, see the necessity of Withdrawing the
election Of President from this House.
On the Sd amendment:
The President has in his gift a sufficient num-
Der Of offices, with emo!uments exceeding those
of member of Congress, to enable him to make
large drafts from that body at any time, either by
way OF rewarjing the services OF supporters, or
opposition. Appointments to Office, with
this latter object in vlew said to have been fire.
dusn'iy made in Englan;. Nhas been conjectur-
ed, and believe correctly, that some such have
been made here. More than 100 members are
stated to have received Offices while members, or
soon afterwards. Each of those. who appoint
ed while member, left q vacancy 10 the reprc-
scntation from his State.
The People elect their Representatives for two
years; these Representatives haze accepted the
trust. Ought il not to be considered a contract
of service for two years. AS the People are ire
vocabv bound by the contract for two wears, is il
unreasonable to hold the Representative also
bound? II he is bound, then 10 accept an office
from the Presidents violation OF his obligation.
The object OF this amendment is 10 remove all al
lurements which may attract the member from his
duty.
Members Of Congress are not allowed to accept
of contracts Should make a contract with
the Government, lie is to be fined three thousand
dollars, and the contract is TO be void. Then,
member 70 hold the appointment OF a militia off,
Ger made by the President; but he may accept
the appointment Of Chief Justice of the u. States.
Let me ask which will most probably be under
Presidential influence, him who has already re.
ceiUed the office of Major in the Militia, or him
who expects the Office @. Chief Justice of the U.
States?
The Senate should be (and hope a-e> an indie.
pendent, steady, profound, and incompatible body
of men; the advisers OF the Presidents; a check
upon his evil designs, IL such he shall entertain;
the protectors OF the rights Of the States. About
thirty Senators have received appointments iEom
the President through the Department Of State
The Constitution preSurnes that even members oil
Congress may be tempted from their duty by off.
cial emoluIncnt. II excludes them from accept
ing, while members, Offices created, or the emolu-
rncnts whereo! have been increased, during the
term OF their service. Let Us restore this part o!
the Constitution TO read il did in the first draft
made by the Convention or, at least, SO to ex-
cIude insubers, during the period for which they
were elected, from accepting any Office from
President in whose time they have acted. If we
DO not this, we leave it in the power Of the Pre-
sdent to reward the Senator or Representative
who is sujservent 10 his views.
The clause OF the Constitution proposed 10 be
amended, as i now stands, prohibits members Of
Congress from accepting offices which they have
created, or OF which they have increased the
emouments. But il should also prevent members
from being under The influence of the President
which they may be, If allowed to accept any Of
flee from him. II member of Congress wants an
Office under the authority Of the United States
and is eligible thereto, there is before him per
petual lure 10 draw him TO the support of the Pre-
sident. The clause proposed TO he amended seems
intended 60 secure the People against Legislation
with selfish views. But it should also secure
them against the influence of the President over
the members of Congress, by the power of ap.
pointinent 20 Office.
II is obvious llIat the design Of The few in The
Convention led the ma jority from their first intcn
ton, which was 10 exclude members Of Congress.
from ALL Offices under the authority OF the U
States.
[Ilere Mr. SMYrH read from Luther Martins
egpose foIlows:)
ave sacrcdiy endeavored 20 preserve all that
part OF the resolution which prevented then
(inembers OF CoDgrcss) from being eligible TO OF
fees under the United States, as we considered
il essentially necessary to preserve the integrity
independence, and dignity of the Legislature, ant
20 secure its members from corruption" 81 wal
in the number Of those who were extremely So
hcitous to preserve this part of the report; bu
there was powerful opposition made by those
who wished the members Of the Legislature to be
eligible 10 Offices under the United States Three
different times did they attempt to procure an al
teration, and as often failed; majority frIuly adj
herring to the resolution reported by the coin
mittee; however, alteration was at length by
dint of perseverance,, obtained. even within the