Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-10-10
PMI8 GAZETTE.
MARTINsBURG. ocroBrR 10, 1888.

mr.. Tdney.-Since the appointment
ofthis gentleman to the secretaryship
of the Treasury department, question
has been started, whether, under the
circumstances of the case the Senate
will confirm his nomination. The
Globe and other leading administra-
lion prints, have been somewhat star
tied by the idea, and have endeavored
to arrest its progress by bringing before
the public the irreproachable private
character Of Mr.. fancy, and express
ing their horror at the suggestion of
his rejection, and even by denial to
tho Senate Of the right to reject. We
imagine that the question will not turn
upon the point Of Mr.. Taney's private
integrity, but upon considerations of
much higher importance. We may
here allude to the notorious incompe.
tency of Mr.. fancy to the discharge
of the official functions which have
been imposed on him without reference
to amy other qualification, save the sign
ing Of his name to an official order for
the removal of the government depo-
sites from the United States Bank. We
greeted his first appearance in the Ca
binet councils Of the President, for he
then occupied post for which, and for
which alone, his former pursuits had
fitted him. He was a powerful and
acute expositor ofthe law, and as such,
capable of adjoining the Office of At
torney General. But faancier!!-
why the very mention of the term in
connection with the name of Mr.. Ia.
ney, is said to have curled the lip of
many an old acquaintance who, with
due respect for his talents and genius,
had looked upon his incapacity for the
details Of business, especially Of moLey
concerns, as proverbial. This, how
ever, in our conception, is not the main
point to be argued.
The denial Of the right to the Sen
nte to reject this nomination, arises
from that braggart tone of defiance
which is used towards all who inter
fere with, or endeavor to thwart, the
projects of the administration, or even
10 question their propriety. Our Go
vernment has been often, and Justly,
we think, called a Government of
checks and balances. All power ema-
mates from the people, but by the pro-
visions Of a wise Constitution, this
power, after leaving the legitimate
source, runs through different chan
nels, into several distinct branches,
each in its sphere controlling the &C
ton ofthe others. One Of the results
of this system, is the power, vested in
the Senate, to confirm or reject nomi-
nations made by the President. With
this power delegated by the Constitu-
ton, can the Senate aduise and consent
that the President shall surround him.
self with u Cabinet selected entirely
with reference to their ability or will
lngness to execute his will, however
arbitrary, impolitic or unlawful may be
Its dictate? Will the Senate hearken
TO the bravado of the President. who
spurns the advice of Cabinets and Lee
gislatures, and CALAMITY consents to
take all the responsibility upon HIMSELF
The Secretary of the Treasury incurs
some responsibility, and we conceive
that Congress will not accept as a JUS
LITIGATION for his official acts the plea.
that the President has so uiHed ii. The
appointment has been conferred upon
Mr.. fancy with a view of rendering
the office of Secretary ofthe Treasury
subservient to the project of removing
the deposites from the U. S. Bank
Can the Senate justify that measure?
We think not. We look upon it then
as their duty to reject the instrument
which has done the deed. The same
reasoning that was so powerfully urged
In the consideration of Mr.. Van Bu-