Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-03-17
TUESDAY, .M.gR CIR NJ, 1875.


cd to fix upon the prcsdcn, the odum of wiliu attack
on their rights, which might appear in the end that he
d'd not design. This was the which his judy
ment and feelings Dictated and he had been happy TO
ind that one who had been known quail before
power the late lamented John Randolpl had acted on
similar view of the subicct-fr while he asserted his
principles in resolutions before the people still cherish
cd until late period, hope that the President would
dlsca'n the doctrines imputed t, bim, and had visited
tribute 10 such result. When u period subsequen mt
to the expression of Mr.. b. opinions the message
companyng the Force Bill was sent to Congress and
the doctrine reiterated that other right of redress be-
longed to the States in their politi al capacity than be-
ionged to any other fraction OF people expectation
at an end with hm.1hc Proclamation in his cstina-
ton sunk under the weight of the Federal construction
OF 1.-THE exposition by the official paper, the close
of tho ensuing summer unsatisfactory i'm itself was too
late to change the character of the document the
tree had fallen, il would lie and the Proclamation
would be viewed, through NIL iimc, with appreciation
sons creed; and by the State Rights Republicans with
reprobation.
lie said the next great cause of diminished confidence
in the Administration was the series of measures by
which the equilibrium between the several departments
of the Federal Government had been disturbed and
undue power concentrated in the Executive. The as
sumption of power by the government collectively
much to be deprecated by the States, but the
ton of those powers in department. free from the
checks of coordinate departments left no Safeguard
whatever against oppression.
The party which elevated General Jackson to the Pre-
sidency, commended for cheap and economical govern
ment for the retrcncncnt OF expcnsesthe reduction
of Offices, and the imposition of burthens the
absolutely necessary TO carry into effect the few ard
simple powers vested in Congress How little their OK
pectaons had been realised might be from the fact
that the expenditures OF the government were enormously
increasedthc number of offices considerably multiple
ed and the patronage of the Executive the fountain
OF favour aud distribution, greatly augmented.
The power Of appointment and removal from Office
under the imposing of reform, had been exer
cised as TO add much TO the influence of the Executive
The meaning of that term, reform understood by the
Jackson party of leo that unithful public officers
who neglected their duties or came down into the
of politics, and perverted the influence and emounents
OF their Offices for the contoul of popular elections
eventually TO themselves in their seats ought
to be dismissed from the public service. The odi0us
doctrine was not maintained at that day. that honest
faithful and capable officer, he discharged for
opinions sake that the power of appointment and
removal be exercised for the reward of the friends
and the punishment of the opponents of the Executive,
or with any other than single eye to the promotion Of
the public interest.
tive, or the power of its Chief to for sufficient
cause, any subordinate officer of whatever grade
That doctrine settled by the Republican party in
i.e9 Tor reasons which were satisfactory to his mind.
But it was never for moment conceived that the pow
or was to be exercised upon the principles laery
duced 1t was intended to enable the President pre-
serve harmony and efficiency in the Executive corps
10 maintain capable and faithful persons in oice-and
thus secure the due execution of The laws But il was
not imagined that he should dispace the officer in or
der that he might take upon himself the performance
of the details of the Office 1t gincd that
he should dismiss an officer at his will and pleasure
without such good and sufficient would be
sustainedby an impartial public opinion Ii sound
he was strictly accountable TO the hountry and
signed, IN the slightest degree TO add to his political
power Mr. Madison, when contendng for the unity of
the Executive, reported to have SAID as an evidence
that the power was not unlimited, that Il caprcious or
wrongful cxcrti of it would subject the President to
impeachment That said Mr. B. was the lcgitimate md
proper exercise of it, which made every officer from the
highest to the lowest feel Independent of the personal
dispeasurc OF the President and little bound pro-
mote his individual views, if lie in way
catcd with lin--whic made him feel that whilst he
faithfully discharged the duties of his Office he per-
tectly secure IN the possession CT his place and might
enjoy all his rights citizen, without offence his
superior That the abuse of it, which made it the
instrument of individual oppression-thc means of ac-
CURING political niucnce-whcter for the person
department of the Excculiveor of cmbodyng 4 nume-
rous corps of dependans subservent the caprces
designs of the President and his party
The measure which had most awakened attention to
the alarming increase of Executive authority was thn
of the removal of the Dcposites Ii not only involved
abuse of the power of removal in the dismissal the
Secretary, but in reference TO the object aimed at it
might be called assumption Of power the currency
of the country-He said assumption of power-for If
the object which gave character to the means, be-
yond the sphere of Executive authority was quite as
pesPcuous and correct to say that the power employed
IN It's attainment unlawful assumed, it was TO
say that ii was abuse of power Had the Deposites
been removed merely 10 put them within the control
Congress, which, in the opinion of some had mart
ed with its power them, for the purpose of
further legislation, whilst it might have been I'M
wise, it would not have looked like effort of tho
Executive to extend the scope of its influence
But was the general impression at the time, warrant
ed as he thought by the expositions of the President
the secretary oil the treasury, that IT done to de-
monsratc TO Congress, the practcabty of dispensing
with the u States Bank, by showing how well the reye-
nue. and the currency could be managed by the Joint eff
forts othe Executive and the State Banks-a
ton which, if satisfactory and legal would have equally
proved the inuty further legislation IL did alpeaT
to his mind, that the object OF the Executive not
simply TO provide temporarily fiscal agent discharge
the necessary duties which the United States Bank had
iacd to perform, but 10 arrange substitute for the IT,
States Bank which should perform the like functions in
all respects, under the control of the Executive in
other words the object TO regulate the currency
to provide currency to take tie place OF the United
States Bank notes-to make sound paper currency
by means Of Treasury compact with the State Banks
Now, even If IT were admitted that the power to make
or to regulate any currency whatever except that of
gold and silver, belonged TO the Federal Govern
Incnt, in all its branches did II belong TO the Tx
ecutive singlY The object might have been dcsira-
bic one, but had the Executive authority to compass it,
The collection, custody and disbursement of the reve.
entrusted TO the Executive, but where was the
authority for employing che money whilst in its custo
dy TO effect any object whatsoever not especially point
cd out by law? In the absence &C legal provisions the
only legitimate incidents Of the custody were its safety
and convenient disbursement; but lie understood The Elk
ecutive as claiming The right in virtue Of the custody
where the law s ut to dispose Of the revenue dur
ing the interval between It's collection aud dsbursc tenl
IN such 20 exert important influence over
the currency Of the counirya claim Of power for which
justification had been sought the past usage offbe 20
yernmcnt, when no place Of deposit fixed by law
lie considered the Executive being in the actual ex-
crcse Of that alleged right, when it announced to
Congress that the experiment in progress that the
arrangements complete and that the sUifccncy and
excellence Of tic system would soon be demonstrated
1t was true the aspect Of the altered and
the Administration through its supporters IN Congress
rr.l. h.. a..