The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-25

merry festivities Of Chrs,mas-day no paper will be
issued from this Office on Thursday.
THE POLICY OF THE ADMINISTRATION
In REFERENCE TO THE FINANCES
OF all the recommendations or suggestions that
have ever come from the Executive Of the United
States, been made TO Congress, that in the late
message submitting that committee OF that body
might b. probably employed In inspecting, at such
intervals might BE- deemed proper, the affairs and
accounts of officers entrusted with the custody of the
public moneys" is the most novel and extraordi-
nary. He continued the frequent performance
Of this duty might be made obligatory the COM.
mittee in respect to those officers who have large
sums in their possession and left discretionary in
respect to others. Thew might report to the Exc
cutive such defalcatons found to exist, with
view to prompt removal from Office, unless the
default was satisfactorily accounted fort! And he
furthermore suggests that, this class of officers be
subjected "to examinations by a committee Of Con-
gress at periods Of which they should have no pre-
vious notice" We must confess that we were
utterly amazed as well as Inundated when we
read these recommendations Of the Chief Magis-
trate.
. Let us examine little into their true import and
character. Congress and the Executive are coequal
branches of the Government; the one Legislative,
the other Executive. The Constitution limits the du-
ties Of to making the laws; and OF the other to
approving them and carrying them into execution.
Indeed the President takes an oath 10 see the laws
faithfully executed" for that be is responsible to
Congress and the country; and failing TO do So is
liable TO impeachment. With what propriety then
could the President propose to Congress to appoint
committee to discover defalcations or irregularities
with officers Of his own appointment and for whose
acts he is rcsponsible1 And much So with what
propriely could Congress yield to the suggestion
Why, there would be an end of the power or right
TO impeach the Executive; because, Congress would
have taken upon their own shoulders share Of his
duties for which he was responsible to them.
We are the more surprised that such proposition
should have come from one who stands pledged to
tread generally the footsteps Of his Haarioas predc
cessor. What said General Jackson as to the duties
Of Congress and the responsibilities of the Execu-
tive Why, that each is independent Of the other
in its sphere of action" though says he, for spe-
cial purposes (Which he named) there is an occa-
sonal intermixture Of the powers of The different de-
partments; yet, with these exceptions each Of the
great departments is independent q he others in Us
sphere, is responsible to the others further than
IL
General Jackson the custody of the public property
under such regulations as may be prescribed by le-
gislatve authority, has always been considered an
appropriate function of the Executive Department
in this and all other Governments J" ",he superin-
PENDANTS and keepers Of the whole appointed by
the President, responsible to him, and removable at
his will" Again, he said, :" the whole Executive
power being vested in the President who is respon-
u;bI Gov ;tps 10
that he should have right to employ agents of his
choice to aid him in the performance Of his du-
ties and TO discharge them when he is no longer
willing to be responsible for their acts"
Does not the Constitution exis, now upon the same
principles as when General Jackson uttered the
above doctrines in his celebrated protest2 Then,
why does Mr.. Van Buren, propose an intermixture
of part of the duties appertaining to the Execu-
tive with the legislative branch Of the Government
He appoints those whom he selects TO assist him in
his executive duties, and selects whom he pleases
and can appoint agents to examine into their con-
duet and report to him; and when he is no longer
willing to be responsible for their acts, he can forth
with remove them from office Then why is THAT he
made the unprecedented proposition to Congress, 10
participate with him in the responsibility of share
of the Executive duties? As harsh as the answer
may SEEM we believe sincerely it was for the pur-
pose of seducing Congress into his scheme of
Sub-treasurers, crimes, felonies, and ignomnious
punishments. 1t is the natural disposition of man
kind to accept power when i, is voluntarily rendered.
nay more, TO grasp at It.
We are greatly mistaken if Congress do not look
on the proposition as an insult TO the body. As we
said on former occasion, a Congress committee of
thief catchers! And would they not be such in re-
aly2 The recommendation, in part is that this
proposed committee OF Congress shall pounce
upon these officers of the Presidents appointing
and removable at his will, at periods Of which
they shall have no previous notice" And why2 Is
il from fear they will abscond If previous notice
shall be given theml For what else can ii be : So
the President recommends that Committee Of Con-
gress shall be appointed to perform the part of shers
or constables and he would treat his officers precisely
in the same manner that they dopersons charged with
crimes and felonies whom they are seeking TO arrest
without giving them previous nocew
We regard the proposition as an insult Congress-
and as degradation of national character, If it
shall be entertained for moment in that body.
The proposition made by the Executive, that he
shall be at liberty to employ banks, and "to seek
their aid at his discretion and pleasure is that
should excite alarm in the breast of every Ameri-
can citizen who feels regard for the safety of
Republican institutions
First, Mr.. Van Buren, seeks TO acquire the unlimi-
ted custody and control of the public treasure in his
own hands. This, said General Jackson, is a pow
too great and dangerous to be LEFT in the hands
of the Executive. 1t ought TO be controlled by law.
Then General Jackson staked every thing to put
down great concentrated money power, which he
looked upon as dangerous TO the people and their Ii
berties and so far as banks were employed by the