Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-03
A&&X4 NDAI.As
TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 3. ;aeo
THE CABINET.

he OAblNEI.
We have been prevented from finishing III.
observations we commenced OH Saturday ma.
this head, and have only time 10 continue Inc.
this morning.
We find in the official lis, of the Cabiue, u.
name Of MIR. MCLEAN, as Postmaster G.r.,.,
next after that Of Mr.. Inghan. Mr.. Mrr.,,
in the administration Of the affairs Of hi, 4,
partment, has certainly proved himself to h.,
very able public officer His politics have NJ.
yer interfered with his business, and Of cour,.
has mat,ered nothing with US, whether he vs.,
friendly or not 10 the Administration We ~.
pleased that Gen. Jackson has retained him,
the situation, both OF account Of himself ,,a
Of the Post Office Department. But it Certain.
~ is questionable, whether he should have b..,
made Cabinet Minister. Atlhe orgsniz.,io,
of the Departments, it was never intended ,Ar
the Post Master General should rank with h.
Secretaries, much less that he should have
seat with them as advisers Of the President
Ii was only at the last session Of Congress ,b,,
bis pay Con account of the increasing du,ie, Of
his ofice) was raised up to that Of the Seeru.
ries. The present Course is unprecrdenrsd
and we beg tina, our readers will take 10 con.
nection with these remarks, The article from
the National Journal, published yesterday. II
the Presideh, has the authority he here Claims
contrary TO law and usage, why may he moi call
Others to his Cabinet? Why may he no, e.,
tablish privy council, or even 60 further and
destroy the independence Of the Senate, by I'D,
hitting the members Of tina, body to his eour,
ellis? O6sia priacipiis is an excellent motion
politics. There is NO knowing to what eIeu,
encroachments upon established us,om NAV
not be carried; and il is somewhat remarkable
tina, Gen. Jackson's first public &C, shouldh
so exactly in unison with the predictions Of his
opponents. Instead Of following in the ue Of
his predecessors, he has already 'shos midh
from his sphere" Heaven grant his future ,b,
berraIions may not be Of more consequence
The next gentleman in The new Cabinet il
Mr.. BRANCH, Of North Carolina. This ar
poin,ment has, perhaps, created more surprise
than any Of the others. Mr.. Branch does not
stand prominent before the nation in any point
of view. His talents are very moderate; bis
name as party man not much heard Of; and
his ex perience in the department 10 whlchh
is called, abIutely ,oaniing. Besides, there vas
Valuable incratitude in neglecling Mr.. Wood
berry, and recklessness Of public opinion mo.
verIooking the claims Of men far more dsir
guished and better qualified than Mr.. Branch
The South was already represented in the Ca
binet, and the appointment could not have been
made on that ground. We look upon the NlT
Department, in our present condition, IS Oued
the most important connected with The GOssl
men,. Besides, it requires not only an active,
but a talented man 10 conduct its affairs. lis
extent, the variety Of its uses, the extent ofln
interests, all press upon the consideration
We feel no hesitation, therefore, in saying that
Mr.. Branch is not competent for the office II,
as many suppose, the Cabinet has heen formed
principally for party purpose, Mr.. Branch may
indeed, serve to curb the ambition, or nIeteFs
with the intrigue Of Ingham, & nulify the 0''s
quiousness Of Eaton; but he cannot himself ever
be leader, or benefit in material manner Tho"
with whom he is interested. II is suHiclea'
evidence Of Mr.. Branch's favor with The Peo'
pie, and their exalted opinion Of him, when
is believed that not one half OF them e"'
dreamed of his being of sufficient consequence
TO be noticed. Was the prediction Of G'"'"
Jackson's friends realised in this in''anee-
Were their wishes realised! Were the ln"'
ests or feelings Of the country consulted il"
partial men will answer-No. Hone'p'
men will answer-No.
(ro be continued.)
We have before Us. says the Nallob" -
7e,te, letters from Vera Cruz down 10 inc '''
ult and from ,he MAJ; an raoifai 10 the lilhi