Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-04-06

ton, then President OF the ". states.
Let 4 be remembered, that Mr. Madison, who Is one
of the best constitutional lawyers country has
produced, was member Of that Congress, and advo
ca'ed the opinion for which contend. He was mem
Der Of the Conve non that framed the Constitutions had
met the best talents of the country In the Virginia Con-
Convention; had there discussed in all its bearings and
tendencies; and them in 1882 engaged i'm putting
the Government into practical operation. Fisher Ames
whose fame and talents great enough not only TO
make New England, but all America feel proud that he
was her citizen, advocated the opinion which prevailed
In order that II might be understood how every Pre-
sdent and Senate Lave thought and acted, from the
commencement OF the Cover nnen, have looked into
the Executive Journal and find that every Chief Ma
gs'r ate has acted upon this power, exclusively ap
pertaining TO him. hold in my hand copy OF Gcne-
raj Washington's commission I, Mr.. Jefferson as Sc.
cresry OF State probably the first issued under the
Government. That commission reads, that the oIice
is TO he held during the pleasure Of the President OF
the United States. Alto, the commission to Mr.. Nor
RE, Minister to France. Under every President,
all commissions to execute Offices have issued in the
sane way.
On the 81 day of May, I7o2 Edward Cro.. wa, re.
moved, and Edward Wieplesworih, appointed Collector
port Of Plymouth, in North Carolina, was ren,ov-
ed on the 10Th Of November, 1892. Mr.. Carmi
chse' torrien minister, was recalled. Executive
Journal, p. 157. The Collector Of Yorktown nas re.
moved. as appears by Executive journal, Vol. H.
i6o-a Collector in Maryland, p. I72-a Collector in
Jersey p. l73-a Collector in South Carolina. p l94
an In'rcctor of Revenue in Jersey, r. I76an In.pec
tor Of Revenue in South Carolina. p. 2o3 These re-
movas were mcde by Gen. Arlington, without con-
suliirg the Senate.
Mr.. john Adams, Immediately upon coming into Of.
hcc. dismissed the Collector Of New York. I name
nov mis- with view 10 show his love of power; my
feelings towards his memory Of different, kind; hut
power az so clearly existing that no difficulty present.
ed u'ef in the exercise OF it. He also removed the
So"cc'or H. CharIes,Swn; Consul at Bordeaux, in
France; Supervisor Of the Revenue, in N. Iamp.
sh"e; Surveyor ard Inspector Of the Revenue, in
virginia. tn" Collector and Inspcctor Of Perth Amboy
Cercy2 On The 18th Of Nay. 1870, Mr.. Adam, re.
moved MIR. Pickering, than Secretary OF State.
On the 9Th Of Jan. 1902, Mr.. Jefferson nominated
twen'y-ihree person. TO the Senate to ill vacancie.
cas'oned by removals made by ian.
,.n Mr. Madison removed the Marshal Of Georgia in
io"o' on The 18th Of March, 1911, Mr.. Meg. was
nominated TO the Senate az Postmaster General aud
motion was made in the Senate the object of which
was' TO ascertain from the President, whether the Of
nee was vacan and, If so how il had become so. Thi.
.r'pohon was nega;ivcl, and the nomina alton OF Mr.
Megs approved.
Mr. Monroe. on the I2h Dec. 1917 nominated
consul, Receiver OF Public Money! and Naval OF.
hcer at Wilmington. NJ Carolina, to supply vacancie.
occasioned by removals
On the 9Th of March, 1925 Mr.. John Orkney Ad.
ans nominated person as Consul to ill a vacancy oc
casioned by removal
have selected The referred to- for the purpose
OF showing, that every President has exerei.ed thu
POWER now contested for the rt time since 1889; and
no question raised in the S-nat. xcept upon
me nomination Of Mr.. Mcigs Postmaster G. neral;
an" tl'n a majority OF the Senate decided, that the
Trrsnieut coud not be qu-.tcnci upon the subject.
when gentlemen contend against this power and its
rNercc by the President they seem TO forget that the
resdeni IL elected by the People and ponsble to
em; and his tenure Of office il short .r tian our
own. Besides, he must for long time have stood be-
lore the public and hi. conduct have been yeIexam
ined' 10 This think there il security. II gen.
uenen VIII only exercise little patience in about two
years and half they can try thi. son between IN.
present Cicf Magistrate aud themselves, before the
great American tribunal-THE PEOPLE.
30 icns as The present continues YOU secure
responsibility Now, the president, i. Looked to as ac-
couh,aolc Tor the manner in which the whole Execu-
I'VE Depait nent Is conducted; and long he can
lone remoTe the subordinate officers this accountability
i Iu' fut he moment you force men, AMI continue
mem upon him. you furnish him with arguments which
WIZ eAhoneraie him before the nation. May he rot
lus'y say, mat he has no control over the inferior Off
GERS IN the Executive Departments that his wishe. are
dregarded, and that he ha. no power TO coerce ,ho.c
engaged IN performing different duties, to execute hi.
will! The state of characterization which must follow
10 fracce, from the opinion conended for the other
sd, viii destroy all harmony AMI responsibiy n
+ power OF controlling the Executive be assumed by
ne senate, all the great powers Of the Government
VIII be concentrated in this body. Already we can
prevent the representative will from having effect nv
negativng the bills Of the other House; by the power
oil me Senate now contenjed for, bring the Ex-
ecutive feet
why IL IL that we hear SO much complaint on the
suulect OF removals from Office? Ii i. owing to a
gehiahy oil feeling among office holders, State and Fee
defa'' throughout the whole country They have a
onhon interest in giving public opinion dire in
theIr own favor. Hence, whenever a removal takes
place, ALL or most OF them, unite in condemnng it, and
'hey nave succeeded in giving currency TO the idea
that there 10 an actual ownership Of office in the pos.
SCISSOR; and they speak Of their Offices ne thew do of
ilns and other property, which they have and
paid for; "hen in truth q speak of Executive ofice9
The ohces are created for the public benefit and officer,
are employ ell as mere. agents 10 perform the duties 40
long as their services will be .dvan,ag eous to the
public than others who be employed; and so soon
as others can he engaged who WILL in the opinion OF
Tie appointing power, better promot. the public inter
ests, they ought TO be displhced Much has been said
ABOUT turning men out who unable TO make live.
llhood IN any other way When hear This know
tia" light has been done. In this wide extended conn.
ny, futnhhng such variety OF for mental and
manual empoymens IL an individual cannot live with.
out office, pronounce him unfit for that this idea
which ia so earnestly pressed. is to prevail your Gov
crnment VIII become parish for the supper, of prodi-
gas and spendhrifs, who having DESTROYED their own
substance, will claim employ and support from the
pubic Treasury. Ii IL also urged that some are re.
moved who have been many years in Office. think
The error lies in furnishing dis argument 10 them by
having retained them 30 long. The officers held BY
these individuals, have either been advantageous and
profitable, or otherwise If the FIRST they ought not 10
the benefits for too great period thew
should give place TO Others, and not exclude all their
contemporaries during their whole lives If the Office
has been disadvaDtsgeou' they ought to be relieved
from the burden.
Gentlemen say IL il mputa,ion on the character Of
an oifcer to be deprived Of his office. I, IL not co. ex.
cept so far az officers have made so by pressing il az
an argument for retaining their places 1t only proves
ths there Is another man as well qna 81 as he /, 10
perform the duties; anil hat the Government can be
administered without his aid
Alter ALL consider this subject of removals. mat.
ter wholly between the Chief Magistrate AMI the p.o-
pie, with which the Senate has nothing to do cxcspt
power ought to be exercised is left totho Executive
disrre ton, not to ours