The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1840-02-21


this immense mass Of tanks and almost un-
told amount Of bank capital was created by
Legislatures having large and decided Van
Buren, majorities.
These undeniable facts place the respon-
sblity of the great and injurious increase Of
banks where it belongs in more forcble
manner than days of argument could do it.
Public Oficers-.their accOuntabiIity--re-
mOVaI official influence and patronage.
HARRIsON's REMEDY.
Under the several administrations of ]. Q.
Adams, Jackson and Van Buren,, great COM
plant hast constantlyibeen made of the prac-
tice of removal from public Office for opin-
ions sake. From tw twenty-five to thirty thou
sand officers hold their stations at the will
of the President, and removals are constant
ly being made without any known cause
other than the political sentiments and opin-
ion Of the officer removed
The public Offices do not belong to the
president or to any party; but the people
have right to require of those who hold the
appointing power that they should be filled
by men who are capable and honest, and
with this they are bound 70 be satisfied
When the appointing power was placed in
the hands of the executive it was by no
means intend to give him the means of sus-
tanning or supplying political party. Far
from it. When discretionary authority is le-
gally exercised by an Office it should be done
with the most scrupulous and punctlious
honor, and in spirit of the utmost impartial
ity and frankness. For the trust can be hon
esty administered in no other way. Now,
the people have right to know hotO the Pre-
sident exercises this trust. 1t is their UNI
questionable right to know whether the ap-
pointing and removing power is exercised
for the public good or for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF political party. And as the motives of
the executive may not be enquired into ex-
cePt in case of Impeachment, and as great
dissatisfaction does exist and is constantly
flowing from this source, General Harrison
proposes a remedy, which, at the same time
that it evinces great frankness and candour,
will perfectly meet the public expectation
and put for ever at rest the loud complaints
of prescription, favoritism, reward and pun
ishment for the sake of the free exercise of
thought and conscience.
GenenerGL Harrison proposes that the Pre-
sident should hold hinsse!fGt all times in TeG-
diness to giUe his reason for all removals from
office. That SOheneVer his reason is called for
ii shall be stated distinctly.
He will act upon this principle if elected,
for he has so pledged himself. No man will
be removed from Office by him because he
thinks thus or so, b ut only because he does
not faithfully discharge the duties of his Of
fee. and the specific fault must always be
at hand ready to be given.
Will not people reflect moment and see
how by such practice, an immense amount
of Executive influence will be Topped off! 1t
is agreed on all hands that the President has
too much Discretionary power, but Van Blu
rem and his party are utterly unwilling to do
the least thing to diminish it, because they
well know that by production of this infu-
ence, the sceptre will pass from them. Why
will not Mr.. Van Buren, come up along side
ofGen. Harrison and disclaim the right to
exercise improperly the appointing power!
Is there any good reason why the president
should dismiss an officer, except for cause?
And not be stated when asked for? If Van
Buren, is not disirous Of exercising power
improperly, and solely for party purposes.
why is he not willing to place himself under
the rule proposed by General Harrison! We
defy any man to give an answer. fit is ex-
pedient to give to the President the power
to remove from Office and to nominate sue
cessors, there is no reason within the broad
pale of republicanism why the power should
be exercised n the dark recesses of secrecy
and under cover of the impenetrable veil of
mere executive will. In this single instance
of difference in principle between the two
candidates for the presidency, is seen the
broad demarkation which separates between
RepubIieanism and Federalism. Gen Harris
on thinks the Presiden: should exercise no
more authority than is absolutely necessary,
leaving all else with the people. Mr.. Van
Buren, thinks the President should exercise
all possible power which he can hold, and if
he can avoid Impeachment under the cons
titution il is all that can he reauirad of him