Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-05-05

The question being upon a resolution
calling on the President for the cause oil
removal Of certain officers, Mr.. BARTON
rose and addressed the Senate
Mr. PRESIDENT: Upon the impor-
tant question Of the power Of the Preside
Of the United States to remove from office
and of the Senate to restrain him in an a.
busive exercise Of that power, depend the
questions whether we are to have, in each
succeeding Presidency, four years des-
p0tIsm with an irresponsible tyrant, if he
be so disposed; or Republican Govern
ment of laws, with q checked and restrain
cd Executive?
To The discussion of these questions,
( involved in the calls for information of the
Feauses ofremovaIs COW pending before the
Senate, / come avowedly as a CLEANER at
ter the Senator from Delaware, Mr.. Clay
tom aud if / can tiaG any heads Of wheat,
worth notice, in this clean shorn field, over
which he has passed, will endeavor to
gather and preserve them; but If | find
none, it will be no dlshopor TO rake ard
bind after such a GRADER. 10 such field.
1t Is no longer a dispute about names,
such as Federalist or Republican,; Ultra
Federahst or Democrat; National Repub
hcao ar State veto Republican,; or ANY OH
e can words or phrases, with which TO de-
ceI'e TIE pu5tc and rally artisans around
our respective standards.
It Is d dispute IN which is involved the
preservation of oar republican institutions
and our constitutional liberties.
The issues are now fairly joined upon
the great fundamental principles Of the
government without regard to party names.
The minority contend that the President
has the power 10 remove Federal oticeIS,
of the class non before Us, and that the
Senate has no right to inquire INTO the
cause OF removal; but must presume the
cause TO be lawful! And cannot re-
strain the President IN an abusive exercise
Of that power; but must rely on Impeach
( mo INN by the House Of Representatives!
The minority deny al these positions
except The removing power for causc; and
claim that tne settled practice Ofibc Seaatc
shall be adhered 10. That the PROVISIONAL
power of removal rom office by Presi-
cent. when It exists at all, is higI legal
trust. 10 be exercised only for the public
booctitla scuad discretion lOr cause relat-
ing 10 tie aGical conduct or fitness for the
incumbent, and should not be perverted
from lrs nigh purpose to those OF partisan
warfare, or personal vengeance, for opIn-
IONS sake, or the exercise Of the elective
/ franchise, or to make room for rewards for
votes, or influence in oue Presidential cleo
/ tlons-or, IL a word, TO purposes Of tyran-
ny and bribery combined.
We contend for the restraining powers
Iof the Senate Of the United States, as un-
derstood by the cotemporary eXpounders Of
the Federal Constitution, in matters Of dis
placing as well as appointing Federal OH
GERS; in opposition to arbitrary Executive
discretion, and servilty to executive will,
and Of rendering the Senate the yenal re-
rister of Executive cdictsl For the free
dom of inquiry into the exercise OF Execu-
tive discretion and Official trusts; IN oppo-
siuon to Executive nrcsponsibilhy, and
screening the Executive from the light Of
truth by a suppression Of free inquiry into
our public affairs, as in the Identical cases
of removal now before the Senate.
We contend for the freedom and purity
of elections. awed by official puniShments.
and interrupted by official rewards; IT,
o9position 10 removals from office FOR such
causes as those above stated.
Here are the issues Joined between Us;
and from your decision, should It be against
us. and against all your own former de-
cisjonss of the same questions when other
men were 10 power, we shall appeal to the
neoolc oflhe United States, on whose be-
+ h,If we contend, and who are always hon
est. when rightly Informed Of the merits of
cause.
lis no question whether a President
NAV remove. AT his own will and pleasure,
his Secretary ofStatel That was the We
ry question before Congress in the great
debate in 1889.
Such an officer rs the mere pen M the
hand ofthe President TO write wllh-bound
to do Just such things rs are prescribed by
the personal orders of the President, ~
matters for which the President himself is
responsible as the head of TIE Executive
( Department; and consequently he must eS-
lercise his freedom Of selections, or how
could he pc responsible!
In such case the act Of July, 1889, SET
ties the question, by acknowledging the
lawful right IN the President 10 dismiss tins
instrument when he pleases
Nobody would wish TO force a disagree
able member Of the Cabinet on the Pres
dent. The public interest requires har-
monv between tbem And The Soma