The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-03
THE MA.DISONIAN.

Separator Of the Pablo Money from III
Executives Power."
This proposition, promulgated by the Con-
servative Convention of Syracuse, taxes
"iike wild fire DER messy heath" \ ne
friends of this Democratic Republican mea-
sure, and opposed to the Snb-treasury, VIII
peruse with interest the following exceiien'
letter from the Hon. Mr.. Mitchell. NJ Z.
from New York We do not see with what
propriety any person can call himself demo-
crat, who continually advocates the enlarge
ment of Executive power.
LETTER
OF THE HON. CHARLES F. MITCHELL,
TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.
LocKroRT, Oct. IS, 1888
srs-I have received your favor Of the I:th instant,
requesting opinions the subjects embraced IN :he
following resolution, adopted by the Democratic Repub
hcan Convention, held at Syracuse, the Sd and 9TH
days OF the present month--viz:
Resolved, That the several members Of this Con-
yenon be requested TO ascertain the opinions of Can
ddates for popular favor at the ensuing election upon
an amendment Of the Constitution, requesting the
Treasurer Of the United States 70 be chosen by Con-
have no hesitation in communicating to you freely
and frankly my opinion touching the several important
TOPICS embodied this resolution. Nor this all The
highly respectable source from whence il emanates
seems demand something beyond literal compliance
with your request, and SHALL therefore, with little
proxty may be practicable give you the reasons by
which my judgment has been controlled,
Allow me first. however. far TO digress, to
press my unqualified appreciation Of the Of the
Convention, adopting this resolution, IN form not
contemplating pledges from those TO whom it should be
addressed as have insuperable objections to the
practice (Which to considerable extent has sprung
up OF requiring pledges from candidates for popular
favor This course ties up those faculties the free
ercise of which are indispensable enlightened
legislator The true course as it appears to me, is
bestew our surages upon those, and those only whose
principles and whose measures are such meet
Notwithstanding their practical application to the
discretion and judgment of those who to act in the
premises There is oftenmes much in the mode Of
doing thing there IN the thing done, and too
frequently men protesting certain principles, adopt
ing measures give them life and tangblity, which
directly tend to their subyerson Need illustrate the
truth Of this by the amentahle examples before u.s. in
the conduct Of the present administration! With tho
profession Of democracy constantly on their lips they
the same persist system OF measures which
at to subvert it. Protesting great regard for the
voice Of the people, at the time dsobeying their
mandates and insulting their wishes-proessng great
and profigate ex,ravagancy These evils only to be
remeded by change Of rulers, and putting those in
power OF known integrity and sterling princples(par-
don this dgression)
The question Of making the Treasurer Of the United
States and the officers connected herewith more d.
recy responsible to the people than the case. by
comforting upon Congress the power Of their appoint
ment and dismissal. is so reasonable-is in accord
ance with the theory Of government, that cannot
conceive how any one protesting Democratic principles
can be opposed to it. By the law Of Congress
ing the Treasury Department it was unquestionably
contemplated to make its head responsible to that body
Instead Of reporting to the President is the case
with the heads Of the Departments, that officer, by the
law in question: is required "to report 10 Congress-"
annually the state Of the finances and upon all subjects
connected herewith There must have been some
motive in this distinction. Nor is it difficult define
what 1t was II must have been to enable Congress
and the people to know The situation Of their exchequer
the annual amount of revenue and disbursements
and the in which the duties of officer Of vast
Importance to the prosperity OF the country were
Quoted Now Of what avail is this information SO long
as Congress have not the power of applying the only
remedy IN case OF delinquency The Secretary Of the
Treasury may be corrupt-may xhlbit
great want of capacity in the discharge of his duties
yet there is no remedy for the people. Congress
cannot remove him. This alone be done by the
Prosiden., and Il he shall show himself the ready nsru
Of that iunctonary, it Of late to be regard
ed as the only qualification requisite If he refuses TO
do what the President invites him to do he dismissed
and his place filled by one who will prove more plant
Might not the President himself well be constituted
c1 oco the head of the Treasury as to have such alb
soute control that officer! see no practical
difference, and | never believe that those who
framed the law, contemplated placing such tremendous
engine of power the hands Of the executive as exists
under the present practice 1t Is contrary to very
spirit Ofthe evils resulting from it we have deplora-
BILE evidence the displacing of faithful officer by
President Jackson for n do ieral and
putting his stead instrument OF his WILL and the
retention by President Van Buren, at the head of this
department Of Levi Woodbury. whose utter incompe-
tency-to use no stronger expression-s so notorious
to have entitled him to the unenviable appellaon Of
the "buRgling Secretary" The evils that have grown
out OF this power by the executive have home 10
the door OF every individual in the country-if we ex
cep perhaps that exclusive class Of Office holders who
known to prosper in proportion to the evils that
others suffer Had the power Of removal belonged
where Congress intended it should belong what intense
suffering 1t would have prevented With the expe-
rence have before me-with the view of carrying out
the spirit Of the law Of Congess-of conforming in
practice TO the republican principles by which profess
to be governed-of checking the alarming centripeal
power Of the executive | should regard an amendment
OF the constitution Of the character under considerations
measure OF the utmost Importance the interests
OF the country 1t becomes the people to be Jealous OF
those guards and checks created for the
their liberties II suffer the executive to expert
ment to-day-o-mofrew 1t becomes precedent and the
day do. Such the easy progress Of power that
what it at time asks favor, it next claims
rlght-and upon this principle to account for
the tremendous power claimed and exercised by the
present executive In paroxysm OF excitemen, the
people were disposed to pass over without serious
alarm, pointed animadverslon great stretch Of
power by the late executive The result Of that ex
pertinent has been followed by succession Of usurpa
tons and experiments which require all the vigilance Of
the people to check.
The Subtreasury scheme comes next in order
Upon this, much has been said and it is destined &c
become 4 theme OF much further discussion unless