Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-07-27
IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.
MAY 4, 1896

Mr.. BENTON, from the Selec, Committee. to which
was referred the proposition to inquire into the
expedency Of reducing the Patronage of the
Executive Government of the United States,
made the following
REPORT:
That after mature deliberation, the Committee
are oil opinion that it is expedient to diminish or
TO regulate, by law, the Executive Patronage of
the Federal Government, whenever the same can
be done consistently with the provisions of the
constitution, and without impairing the proper
efficiency of the Government. Acting under This
conviction, they have reviewed, as carefully, AZ
lime and other engagements would permit them 10
do the degree aud amount of patronage now ex-
ercised 10y the President, aud have arrived at the
conclusion that the same may, and ought 10, be
diminished by law For this purpose they herewith
present to the Senate six bills, entitled:
j. hill to regulate the publication of the laws
of the United States, and public advertisements.
2. bill to secure in office the faithful Collec-
tors and Disbursers Of the Revenue, and to dis
place deihulters.
3. A bill TO regulate the appointment of POST
masters.
4. A bill to regulate the appointment of Cadets
s. bill to regulate the appointment Of Mid
shpmen.
q. A bill to prevent Military and Naval Off
GERS from being dismissed the service at the pleas.
IRE of the President.
The Committee do not doubt but that there are
many other branches OF Executive Patronage, in
addition to those which are comprehended in the
provisions of these bills, which might he advan-
,ageousy regulated by law. Far from thinking
that they have exhausted the subject, they believe
that tEey have only opened it, and that nothing
more can be done, at this time than to lay the
foundation of system 10 be followed up and COM
pleed hereafter.
In coming to the Conclusion that Executive
Patronage ought to be diminished and regulated,
ON the plan proposed, the Committee rest their
opinion OH the ground that the exercise of great
patronage in the hands of one man, has con-
slant tendency to sully the purity of our nslilu-
tions, and to endanger the liberties of the coun-
try. This doctrine is NOT new. jealousy of
power and of the. influence OF patronage, which
must always accompany its exercise, has ever been
a distinguished feature in the American character.
1t displayed itself strongly at the period OF the
formation, and of the adoption, of the Federal
Constitution. At that time the ieebleness of the
old Confederation had excited u much greater
dread OF anarchy than of power -"of anarchy
among the members than of power in the head"
- and although the impression was nearly uni
versal that a government of more energetic char
acer had become indspensably necessary, yet,
even under the influence OfIhis conviction--such
was the dread of power and patronage-ihat the
States, with extreme reluctance, yielded their
sent to the establishment of the Federal Govern
ment. Nor was this The effect of idle and vision
airy fears OIL the part OF an ignornt multitude, with
out knowledge Of the nature and tendency Of
power. On The contrary, it resulted from The
most extensive and profound political knowledge,
from the heads Of statesman, unsurpassed, in
any age, in sagaci,y and patriotism. Nothing
could reconcile the great men of that day to
constitution of so much power, but The guards
which were put upon il against the abuse Of pow
err Dread and jealousy of this abuse displayed
itself throughout the instrument. TO this spirit
we are indebted for the freedom of the press, trial
by jury, liberty of conscience, freedom of debate,
responsibility TO constituents, power of impeach-
ment, The control ofthe Senate over appointments
to office; and many other provisions Of a like
character. But the committee cannot imagine
that the jealous foresight Of the time, great it
was, or that any human sagacity, could have fore
seen, and placed a competent guard upon, every
possible avenue TO the abuse Of power. The ma
lure of constitutional act ex udes the possibility
OF combining minute perfection with general ex-
cellence. Alter the exerton of all possible vigi-
lance, something of what ought 10 have been
done, has been omitted, and much OF what has
been ATTEMPTED has been found insufficient and
una sniing in practice. Much remains for us to
do, AMI much will still remain tor posteriiy TO do
- for those unborn generations To do, on whom
will devolve the sacred task ofguarding the Tenn
pie of The Constitution, and OF keeping alive the
vesial fame of liberty.
The committee believe that they win he acting
in The spirit OF the constitution in lahoring to m,d-
liply the guards, and TO strengthen the BARRIERS a
galnst the possible abuse OF power II com
munity could he imagined IN which the laws
should execute themselves in which the power
Of government should consis, in the enactment of
laws--in such state the machine of government
would carry on It's opera ions without jar or fric-
ton. Parties would be unknown, aud The move
menis of the political machine would bur little
more disturb the passions of men Than they are
disturbed by The operations OF the great laws OF
the material world. But this is not the case. The
scene shifts from this imaginary region, WHERE laws
execute themselves 10 the theatre of real life,
wherein they are executed by civil and military
officers, by armies and navies, by courts of JUS