Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-01

brooke, If he supposed he had any authority for car
fylng proposition through the House without as
iSig any reasons, or If ne had rig!t to take OF
ienIe a'Hinst any on. for requiring reasons? ilo
WISHED 90 snow fit was be expected that system
"H'ch mas all the sanctions oftime in it's favor was
oe al ONCE cangcd Ut the suggestion of the gen
without any reasons being assigned lie had
shousht our objec; coInpa our reasons, and
He ue"ied 10 do So and willing meet the con-
sequences any change Of reasons. When he sub
ne.en propositions, he considered himself required
- s,aIc any reasons without any specific Gull.
| MI DoDDEiDeE wished to saw one word The
gentleman from Chesterfield had made an amend
neht to HIS proposition, and before he sat down.
seemed to call on him in q somewhat peremptory
manner. be stated that he little disposed as
any man to look at the conduct OF any in an I'M
favorable yiew aud ready to make this cxp!a
uaeion to the gem eman from Chester field. as to any
Senticrtn He said, that Is this proposition was TO
be submitted to the people, and the subject had been
sufficiently discussei he had right to leave the aues
ton TO be taken. without giving any reasons.
,, Atcr OH explanation trcIa Mr. LEitin and Mr.
DopuntDGE,
MIR. i'owhLL w;hisew his motion to pass by tho
proposition.
NJ DoDDnIDeE said he would now assign his rca-
sons tcf ti!e Proposed change the Executive and
ne would do So without adverting any of the ex-
sing abuses in is constitution In the first place,
ue so IL theory, to it's power Of appointment
a" sufficient to show chat the Executive Department
sh"uid undergo new organization. IF VIC agreed
on any one principle which has been discussed a.
nongst us 1t Is that the Executive Legislative, and
judicial departments of the Government, should be
separated and that the duties ot neither, should b.,
exercised by another department. This With some
exceptions, wosld be admitted as general rule
What is the executive Of firg;nia, It is nothing
more nor less than emanation of the Legislative
power lie is appointed every year, and is responsi.
HE only TO those :" whom lie is looking nr reappont-
'rnent Anti the executive magistrate by inerpre-
taion of the Constitution has been derived oe all
executive power. Hy 4 construction which was given
to it, IL the time Of General Wood it was decided that
when the executive Council divided, the govern
ar had no power to give CASTING vote. This
the prevailing doctrine to the present time. The
Governor requires other qualification than be
gentleman, To be euahied to fill his office. Al he has
to do, IS To write his name when commanded and
tui lie is commanded by the executive council be
DO He is the creature Of the legislature and not
of the people, and he is responsible TO the legislature
alone, except when the process Of Impeachment
sorted to-and from the of office. it would
useless lie understood from the notes of Mr.. JefFer
at the Legislative power. lie had not ;he notes here
now but he had read them often. and they made
such an impression him that he could readily
give their substance. Mr.. Jefferson proved tina, the
executive was not coordinate branch af the govern
ment, tat it was pat responsible to The people. The
conclusion was that the executive p1wcr resulted in
body suiiciency OF independence. Their tenure ia
i:,in tilu scsc benc gesserint. This dii make
xnd5e independent because aiier providing IN ale
giate aaaSy, the words (Which shall not be denied III.
eng the continuance Of Office" are omitted.
The Legislature could Thus Judge nn,
OF oi.,ee The Judiciary is Gne dependent on the
Legislature, What are the words of MIR. J~fferson--
when all the powers of government, Legislative,
executive and judicial. result the Legislative body
and the concentration of them is i'll the hands il
is precise definition of despo,c powes. Indepen-
dent of this authority IL not f1et What can
prevent the executive council from doing unpop,
lar act since they not further accountable TO the
general assembly; and nn,tve To INDUCE them
to act Property except tia, e general assembly ma,
omit to re -etect theisI7
Another defect Is that efecualiy ond eci IN. Is the,
ape in no manner responsible. IN the coupc which,
CONSISTS Of eight members Unless there majority
every question the governor has ms responsibility
The executive councils periodically removed ap
pointed, and tins was most odious and Disgusting
Office Two of the eight must go and this crcnm
stance creates amongst them disposition election
i'll the general assembly against ench other The
Result ls the dishonouF CT him who is removed from
Office
Among the complaints which brought this ConveR-
sion together and which were published in the Ga
eattcs of the Country WAS the executive.
After the extension of the right of suffrage, what the
people next desired was the establishment of in.
dependent, responsible executive. ST the executive
council be abolished, the governor will be responsible
foR whatever abuse may be committed, and there viii
be necessity to refer for the Ayes and Noes the
executive council book. The objections against the
executive would with greater force, especially
IS las be invested with the power of making appoint
ments. -
The objection therefore to the constitution of the
present executive being emaBaton yf the Letis-
iiiye body--as lacking independence, and not pos
sessng the power necessary for the executive Of ANY
country He would not go fNPher IN his argument
II said that abuses existcsl-Ihat had tax
en- place undeV the present system. lie not pre-
pared to go into this suhect-yet all had not given
satisfaction. Many OF the appointments have given
dissatisfacton-ihey have been many, made intepen-
dent Of and against the nomination of the county
courts. There anothep sub ect which he hal omit
ted TO mention. An increase of power has devolved
upon the executive by an enactment Of the Legisla
ture. lie referred TO the administration Of The litera
~ fund, and of the fund foY Internal improvement
the distribution OF which the executive possesses not ir
virtue of any constitutional power it enjoys in this
pcct, but by enactment of the Legislature. The
cilPtl he Df helm
a greater responsibility on the part Of the executive
lie had brica, and mperfectly assigned his obiecon
to the present s. STEM AS to the power Of impeach
inpraci,ing people. There but Impeachment
which took place here and that made Ut the
request of the gentleman himself, But tn the i'm
parchment OF governor whose tenure of office /;
but year, il uselcs, his time would expire
/ heiore the imp eaChment could be effected.