Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-06-08
THE VIRGINIAN.
LYNCHBURG,JUN 3, 1929.

Uater Uorks.-The progress of the Lyncb.
burg Water Works since the operations recon.
menced last spring have been very rapid. The
pump has been put up, the pipes from the river
- the reservoir upon the Hill are all laid down,
& the dam is in "a rapid state of completion. II
is expected tina; the water will be thrown into
the basin, prepared for il upoa the hill, by the
fourth of July next.
mcgee
PJtOer of Removable will be seen by the
early agitation of this nbjeet by such men as
Madison. Hamilton and others, wha, was the
opinion entertained by The trainers of our Con-
stituiion OF the power of the President to re.
move officers. II was by a close vote that this
power was given 10 the President, and at tina,
time with the expectation that no Presiden,
would ever he found so reckless of conseouen-
ces as TO remove meritorious officers 10 place ia.
rOrites in their room. Mr.. Madison expressly
declared that such wanten abuse If rower
would subject the Pres dent himsefto iapeacIi.
ment and remordl from his own high trust
Much reliance was then placed in the rirtue
of the Senate. to check President, should the
country ever be cursed with one so bold AID
daring in the abuse oil this power, as 10 have il
unblushinely proclaimed thai his course would
be 10 rs,rard his friends and punish his enemies.
TO make the rule of his conduct, the removal
from office Of all who did not cry all to the
ChieE-no matter how long tried, meritoliqus
and faithful, and place in their stead his bois-
terous satellites. Have we reason TO place the
same confidence in our present Senate VIII
they. regardless of party considerations, try to
redeem the lost character IF their country, or
try 10 check the President in his wanton abuse
of power. We hope they will. The follow
ing communication from the Boston Centinel,
our readers will find interesting:
POWER OF REMOVAL.
M Mddison's notions on this subject On
the organization OF our government, one Of
the first subjects that came up for discussion
in Congress was the power of the President
to remove public officers. The Constitution
itself, which was specific in regard to M.
pointments, was silent in regard to rcmorois
generally .-lnasmuch, as the concurrence Of
the Senate was essential 10 the appointment
of the more important officers, many were
of opinion, that the assent of The same
power, was necessary 10 their removal
Washington was the President and even un-
der so pure an executive, the subject was re-
garded with great anxiety by the first Con
gresS. When the QUESTION OF the removal by
the Erecuiire alone, came directly before Con
gress, the members were nearly equally divi.
ded. 1t was contended by those opposed To a
broad construction, OF the power of removal,
that il was liable 10 great abuse that il would
sender officers entirely dependent on the iDiH,
perhaps the ,chim and caprice OF one man-
Whatever confidence might be placed in the
Chief Magirtrate then, at the head of the Gov
eminent, equal confidence could not be expec-
ted in his successors: and that the concurrence
of the Senate was as necessary and proper in
the removal, as in the app 0intHlen! OF officers,
&c.
On the other hand. II was urged that, in gen.
eral, the construction of the constitution ought
to be left with the Judiciary but that in this
case, il ought to be left with The President.-
Much stress was also laid upon the supposed
virtue ola President, and il was admitted, that if
he were disposed 10 abuse the power, evils
would grow out fit. The question was finally
decided in the House. in favor OF the Presl-
dent sole power to remove, by majority OF
only tWeire In the Senate, the vote was still
closer that body was equally divided, and the
casting role Of the Vice President. was in &C
cordance with the other House.
Pitkin's History ofthe United States, vol. ii,
p 800, says,
Wthrespect to removals from whim, caprice,
respect or any UNIV orthy motives il was alleged
that sufficient checks were provided against such
want N abuse OF the power. That The principally
not the only inducemeni for he remOrai 0fd ner
itorious officer, WOntd be, 10 place some fdrorite
in his room. The President indeed ght re.
move, but he could not supply the vacancy
without the assent ofthe Senate The nomna-
ton of a successor, would elicit inquiry in that
body, and produce n rejection Of the iavo,ite
nominated to ill the vacancy.
TWAS also stated by some mem bers, particular
" by Mr. Lawrence and MIR. Madison. that for
such wanton abuse of power, the President
himself would be liable to impeachment and
from Office
=" lffhe President, said Mr.. Lwrapnce )" a.
luse his trust, w'll he esuape the popular ceb-
lure, when the period which terminates his
elevation arrives Aud would he be liable
IDLE man, who enjoyed tire confidence Of the
jcople ~
"rhe danger. then" Mr.. Madison observed con-
lists in this the President can displace from office
manwhose merits require that he should be con
inued in it, What will he the motives which the
President can feel for such abuse of his power,
md the restraints to operate to prevent il? In
he first place, he will be impeachabe by this
House, before the Senate. for such al act of
for | contend, Hlat the
santon removal Of meritorlous officers would
ubject him to Impeachment and val from
lis own high trust ~
Mr.. Hamilton WIS not a member of that Con.
ress. But his opinion was unequiyocalIy op.
osed 10 the right Of the President alone 10 re-
move. In No. Il, p. p. Alb, Ala Of the FEEDER.
list, appears the following
4" 1t has been mentioned one of the advan.
ages to be expected from the co operation of
he Senate, to the business of appointments.
naf it would contribute to the stability OF the .