Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1842-01-20

w NV hASht4her IN Encianu, should he under n
rparaie aud independent administration. Let a
new DEPARTMENT. hen. be created. comprehendiog
these functions exclusively. which, Together Nth
he numerous and complicated delaik incident 10
the movement AMI transfer OF the public funds.
would ndlfd ample occupation for distinct and re-
s?'usihle drpnrimani. Let a board OF c~x-uficio com
n ss'oners. formed upqn The model of tho Commir
sionens Of iht Sinking Fund, consisting for example.
OF the Chief Justice Of the United States. OF the
Presidentof tho Senate. and II the Sneaker Of the
House OF Representatives. for the iiIEe being. be
placed al the head OF This Department. aud be chang
ed win a general supervisory or vsiioril power
over The Treasury ofthe United Safes. which would
require nothing more at their hands than one or
Two periodical inspections of the condition OF the
treasury m the course Of ike year. aud an annual
report OF its operations to be made TO Congress
wi'hin the first month OF each session. This board.
being Thus constituted the head OF tho new Depart
ment, TN Ter that clause Of the Constitution which
suihurizes Congress by law To vest the appointment
OF such inferior officers as they think pruper in the
heads OF Departments. &c. provision mightb made
Tor Vesiing the appointment Of Treasurer. Of the
members of the proposed Erchequer, and Of all
other officers concerned in the active duties of the
Department. in the Boatd OF Commissioner. who
should alone, too, have the power Of removing any
OF these iunctiOnarss from office in case ofmnlver-
salon oi incompeIency. | throw out these sugges-
tons for the consideration ofIl,e Senate. not as hay-
ing very thoroughly poniered Them myself, though
they have often passed through my mind in The
deep anxiety | feel for the accomplishment OF the
object al which they aIR--an eutire Withdrawal
Of the Treasury from any conneHion with. or de-
pendence on. the Executive. lfthere should be nv
constitutional impedImeHt TO their adoption, and |
confess avn not inclined 10 be asiule N searching
Tor one IN such n cause. they would he the means
Of eheciing a great political reform and Of aGjrdink
n security for the public liberty. the importance Of
which, IN The general sentiment ofth0 country, can.
not. | attn sure, be Overated.
IT, however.upOn conslderaiion. il should be thont
that the aciual provisions OF the Constitution, not.
withs'andins the practical construction il received
IN the case uf the Commissioner Of tl,c sinking
Fund, oppose an inSuFmountable obstacle To the ar.
Tangement here sug sested, there is yet another mode
rendering the members of Ike proposed ESchCq Ter
Board virtually independent ofIhe pjNor orlhe Pes
'deni; IN regard - tho consiitutionaliiy OF which !
presume, there can be no doubt in the minds. of a
majority of this body. mean by providing thl
they shall not be remUred from Office in any ,uss
uthoHthe eoHcarreHce 4 lie Senate; r,sening. how
ever. TO the President The power of suspension in
ease OF misconduct or inflelity, and OF appointing
a Temporary sub,tilu'e during the recess Of The Sc
nate, which, as soon as il meets, shall determine
whether the officer shall be restored. or he finally
from Office. A provision ofIhis kind by lhrsw ine
oser tho Uhirer The shield OF Scnctorin. ju>t.ce
would render aim independent ui the mere will Of
The Executive, and give him the requisite frmness
IN ilc Conscientious discharge Of his duty. A. 10
the constitutional power Of Congress thus TO rcsu ate
The tenure Of Offices created by II | think there j.
no reasonable gruund of q ubi. The decision OF
Congress, in l1S), on the general question of the
power OF removal decision in which. ur,dcr the
luminous reasoning Of Mr. Madison, my judgement
has always acquiesred-wenl no further, az corii "
10 my apprehension OF it than TO affirm that, in tie
absence CT legislation 10 The contrary. the powe r oi
removal resulted Ia the President. | have never
understood Il as preclId.ng the power of Congress
whenever II thought pepper Ia do - by express pro.
visions, 10 regulate Different the tenure % Offices
created by H., and to declare ia what manner. as
well rs for what causss, the incumbent shall be re.
mpycL.
The honorable : nainr from Keniucky,( M Clay, :
i'll mistake not, brought fnrw ld a pr1, usitim n
1885, providing That no ofli 'cr appointed hy the
President. b. and with the advice and consent OF
he Senate, suhJcri, however. 10 tenn Orary susp-u.
SION by the President, When necessary, during the
scccss of the Senate. The ap,lIcatnn nf this priu.
cIplc Is especially ,ai!cd Tor ia regard Ia all officer,
entrusted with the custody and inlgc,ueui uf the
public moneys. IL has been - felt AMI acknUwl
edged IN The institutions ufoar sturdy British anccs.
t'rs from lime Imrnrnnrial Tor. while Ihe mass m
tuhlic inncIinn1ues there hold Their ufTi Is during
the pleasure Of the Cr'yn. the ,fircrs 1T ihe Eckc
Y1cr. The great cruseryator." rs 1t Is rallied. "uG the
- 49," - wv NNNAfNAH aHN III hEA NENAlNNA II
tenure OF good hchlvinI " and hold their situations
when once appointed. independently olihe alsur,
VI the Crown. Surely our national Treasury. min
iaining precisely The same relation 10 The public
revenues. should be rendered. at least, as indepen.
dent OF The power of The Executive here am
ready. Then, for one, To- JOIN the honorable Senator
from Kentucky, heart and hand. in carrying out the
ptInsiple OF his position, in regard To the member,
"f The proposed Board Of Exchcqucr, and all ulhei
nfIrers connected Win the public Treasury. The
hons rahle Seuaiur has Just laid upon our table d
proposition ioS an amendment OF the Consultation. Il
vest IN Congress the appointment Of the principa.
Officers Of the Treasury. with a view TO scparai,
That Department mrrc etT,ciually irum The power %
the Executive, and To subject Il Ia the control Of IN,
Leg Stature. lie will Parl"n TIC. ! am sure, f.
suggesting whether 1t would not be better Ia pnrsu,
his object by a resort tO the means which the Con.
siiuttOn. rs II stands. puts nj our disposal, rather thar
by %proposing an amendment 10 the instrument
which, nOw that the concurrence OF twenty out 81
tweniy-siK independent sovercignties los become
necessary % effect It, may he a Thing 10 DO wished
hut whIch. M no case, ! am persuaded, hall Wo eve
see accomplished.
That the plrn submitted to MS by the Secretary
Of the Treasury would receive important mOdifcn
lions frm the hands of a committee, in regard Il
It's machinery, as well as ~ other respects, there cat
be 10 ground 10 doubt. The President himself
10 a very Becoming spirit. invukos The wisdn u an,
patriotism Of congress To mould Inc scheme. 50 as Il
suit Its own views of what Is necessary and prOpe
IN lis organization. lie particularly urges upoI
Congress To "iakc from the Chief Executive Magis
Irate. by my aud nNl constitutional means, n ccntrnlI
ing power over the public Treasury" aud il, ia tn
plan proposed. "ihat separation is not as complete a
they may desire" he invOkes Them 10 make u 20
In The same spirit, the Secretary Of The Trcasur
presents his plan as one which will stand in need q
notifications and n oarcf1l revision by The twI
Houses Of the Legislature" And yet, in aniicipl
lion ofall notifications and amendments. CenilemeI
~ this body, distinguished political leaders. ia tn,
zeal Of an apparently predetermined opposition
rise on n mere motion Of reference, and one of Them
indeed, tAir. Be lton) as som as The President
Message Is read, and denounce The whole scheme
both ~ its principles and is details. / r%ejoice. III
IN the contrast 10 this procedure. which has bceI
exhibited by tie altitude nf gentlemen. on this sid
Of the House Whatever sentiments Of d~issaiisfac
lion they may be supposed 10 entertain in regard 9
The past, they have exhibited no temper Of cage
condemnation Of what Is now proposed. They ar
willing 10 consider Tho aurre.ftpug M the Admin.