Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-03-20

n
iamination into the Constitution, ought 10
be allowed 10 transform our iiee oo'er"
nett into practical despoi'sp.
| If greater STABILITY can be coniorineu on
Ilhs .sanrs b .shie6. Pgablliaeie6' IIs!h f dt
nendent on the capricious pleasure Of one
man. They will feel, as they ought TO feei
thai they have an equal right with other
4 citizens TO exercise the elective franchise
without responsibility TO any man. Their
continuance in office ought not TO depend
upon the independent manner Of its ex
ercise, bot upon the ability, integrity. and
fidelity, with which these official duties
are performed Filled as most Of the Elk
ecutive offices are with paftisans Of the
present Administration, he (Mr. CO could
not be Justly accused Of any improper mo
tive in proposing measure which may
give greater security to their abiding IL
them
The Constitution expressly provides for
one and only one mode Of removal from
office, by Impeachment. IL may be expe
dent TO authorize some more summary
process in case Of ascertained unGtness Of
delinquency The resolutions look to tina
object. but seek to provide remedy a
gaIDst the possible prejudices, passions
or imperfections. of one man tie seri
ously and solemnly believed that the ac
accomplishment Of the purpose contemplst
ed by the resolutions, IN some way oil
other. was essential TO the purity and
durability of the Government.
With these feelings, views, and opin
ions, he submitted the resolutions 10 the
Senate, and moved that they be printed,
and be made the special order OF the day
for the first Monday in April next. All oi
which was ordered accordingly.
The resolutions thus offered were the
following:
L. Resolved. That the Constitution OF
the United States does not vest in the
President power TO remove at his pleasure
Offices under the Government Of the
United States, whose offices have been es
tahlishrd by law.
2. Rosolued. That, in all cases Of Offices
created by law, the tenure of holding
which isnot prescribed by the Constitution
Congress is authorized by the Constiiu
ton to prescribe the tenure, terms, ano
condition on which they are to TO holden
5. Resotrcd, That the Committee on tht
judiciary be instructed to inquire into th,
expediency Of providing by law that in al
instances Of appointment of Office by the
President, by and with the advice an,
consent Of the Senate, other than Diplo
matte appointments. the power of remova
| shall he exercised only in concurrence
with the Senate, and. when the Senate is
not in session, that the President may
suspend any such officer. communicating
his reasons for the suspension TO the Sen
ate at its first succeeding session, and, il
the Senate concur with him, The officer
shall be removed, but if it do not concur
with him. the officer shall be restored TO
Office
4. Resoiced. That the Committee on the
Post Office and Post Reads be instructed
to inquire into the expcdiency of making
provision by law for the appointment, by
and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, of all Deputy Postmasters, whose
annual emoluments exceed prescribed
mount.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 1884.
THE NEW BEDFORD MEMORIAL.
Mr.. REED said, he had been re-.
quested to present the memorial of the
citizens of the Collection District OF
New Bedford, in the State of Massa-
chusetts. This memorial (said Mr.. r.
is signed by 1922 citizens living in N.
Bedford, Fair Haven, Wareham, Ro.
chester, and Dartmouth. 1t had been
signed by almost all the citizens OF
those towns who were at home, and
who had an opportunity. Perhaps
twenty have declined. But it cannot
be pretended, that there is any dispute
or division ofopinion upon the subject.
They will send no counter memorial
here, for party and political dissensions
are suppressed and forgotten, in the
general and deep distress which per.
vades that part Of the country. AL
unite in the desire to present to the Go.
vernment Of their country their true
situation, and, if possible, to persuade
the Government to change its present
ruinous policy, and thereby relieve all
from present and future embarrass.
ment and distress.
In presenting this memorial, hest
tate not to declare, (said Mr.. r. that
the slgners are as intelligent, honora-
bic, industrious, enterprising, and use-
full citizens as can be found in any O..
Their part Of the country, and have a
Just claim to the regard and considera-
ton of this House.
Here the Speaker interposed, and
said, the gentleman from Massachusetts
must confne himself strictly 10 the rule
and briefly state the substance of the
memorial.
Mr.. REED proceeded: | am fully a.
ware that the privilege of presenting
memorials this day is, in some mea.
sure, favor, and | shall not abuse that
privilege. | do not propose to pursue
the course which has prevailed of late
in this House; but the memorial which
| hold in my hand is an unusual and
extraordinary one, for the part of the
country from whence it comes. No
memorial containing that number Of
names, or any thing like it, was ever