The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-21
Fror fAs National Infsiiisenesr.
EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY.

M cfthe treat evils growing out ofthe Eapad ane
consansly increasing assumptions, py the ne -.
ATOMS of power never grsnisu esnes ~
I.s.r ~ .irit OF the Constitution, - the conms,on =
~.,;.nent which seems 10 have been created ~ ne
;ds ~ many men in regard 10 the true and consti-
,,onai division Of power and duties among the uii-
fr,rnt branches Of the Government. Many persons
seem to have lost sight entirely Of the TACT ,hai .ne au
horty and duties Of every department. OF the Govern
ment are distinctly laid down and divided IN the Con-
stitu.ion and BY the legal enactments undert Gen.
JACKSON. prssuming upon his oyerwcening Popuian-
" and the too con6ding disposition OF the reoPe,
often assumed 10 himself the exercise OF power mol
granted by the Constitution and laws but IN de,ogs
ton Of both and made the attainment Of his object
his great sole end without regard TO the means ~
which Il was attained And since that time the
legitimate and constitutional functions OF the dinerent
branches of the Government to have been utter
y set at naughf by hmself and his successor men
have consequently lost sight Of the ancient landmarks
ohe Constitution set up by our patriotic orefatncIs
like beacons to warn us Of the shoals and sunken
rocks upon which all other constitutions Of society,
founded upon the principles Of sefgovernmen' nave
been wrecked.
We are led to these reflections by our observation
Of the course pursued in the matter OF subordinate
pointments by President TYi.ga Wehave remarked,
with infinite satisfaction the clear and intelligent
manner in which he has - far put into practice the
true spirit and intention Of the Constitution, IN ms
every act, rejecting the means Of exercising undue
power, or Of interfering when the law does not re-
auire IT, in the duties Of those whose functions are
distinctly specified by law
This was be expected ofhim, for if there 10 any
man in our country who has steadily kept bis eye up
on the great principles of Constitution and honest
ly acted upon his convictions OF duty IN all nus
public acts without regarding the consequences TO him
self-unnluenccd either "by the fear or love OF pow
er Fit is JOHN TYLER The American feopie tnen
nav RELY upon il that the mnging and entanglng OF
the separate powers and duties Of different depart
ments ofthe Government Of the different branches
the great DIVISION which have tor "ears past
created so much confusion in the country and afford
ed means and shield for the most ty'annic.l anu
arbitrary exercise Of undelegated power BY the Execu
tive will not take place under the administration Oh
the present able experienced, and apright Chez ma
gisirate AMI his able cabinet.
For the information Of the Sobns OF the uiooe,
and others who are so much alarmed at the course
pursued by the Secretary Of the Treasury and the
collectors ofihe customs in relation 10 subordinate
appointments and ofthe Postmaster GeRerai, we re-
fer these sise gentlemen TO the act OF Congress OF
March 2, l799 sec. 81 which provides that the Cot
lector SHALL with the APPRECIATION # the principal ON
Ger ofthe Treasury Department, Employ proper per,
sons as weig hers Measures inspectors at the several
ports within his district, sc.
(Here is a striking similarity with the language OF
the Constitution specifying the dles and powers OF
the President: He shall have power, by and with
the advice and consent ofthe Senae." &c
In regard TO the powers and dutis Of the Postmaster
General respect the appointment Of his assistants
about which the Globe complains the law Is equally
clear and explicit. BY the act ofMarch 3, 1925 the
Postmaster General directed to appoint two asss-
tants and such clerks may be fol the per-
Torrance Of the business Of his Office and as au;ho-
lied by law.
The 10Th section of the act Of J,y % 1886 enacts
that there shall be employed by tie Postmaster Cen
era a third assistant postmaster general" &c.
We hope now that we shall hea' no more complaint
from men who seem to have forgsten that there are
any laws constitutional provis ms that the Presi-
dent does not discharge the proper ues of his station
and that the able gentlemen Of the Cabinet do not I'M
derstand their legal and constitutional duties.