Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-26
RICHMOND WING.
THURSDAY MORNING. MAY as.
RErRENcuMENrANp REFORM

RErRENCuMENTA REFORM
The House of Representatives has passed the
Navy Bhl-redueing the appropriations bslow the
estimates OF the Department nearly a million and
hail. This is a most commendable deed. The
beginning Of all Reform is a diminished expsndi.
ture. To this end, Congress must pu, a curb upon
the extravaganza OF the Exeeutive-and this. as in
amply demonstrated by the past, can only be effect
ed by Withholding the means. Grant liberal sup
plies, and waste and corruption will Le the order Of
the day, as they have been Tor ten years.
VIC are pleased to observe that Mr.. Gilmer fiom
the Committee of Retrenchment has suggested Sc.
'eral economlsing reforms, and some which look
more directly TO curtament Of Executive influence
vi this latter kind is the following:
"RssOiped, That it is expedient to require the
President of the United States, in all cases Of re
movais from office, TO communicate the reasons or
cause for each removal to tho Seuatcn
This, tho well enough, does not go fer enousb
IL ought 10 bc.declared, that the President shall
make no removal, as he can make no appointment.
without the consent OF the Senate. TINS would he
IN accordance with the true meaning OF the Con.
stituion. The contrary practice only obtained
originally by the casting vote of the Vice Presiden MT
(the elder AdamSl There is no reason whatever
for It, If the power OF removal Le an incident TO
the power OF appointment 1t must be subiec, TO the
same conditions and limitations The President
cannot appoint, except by the concurrence Of the
Senate; in reason therefore, he cannot remove save
by the same concurrence
This view is not less fortified by the genius O.
Tree institutions, than 1t is by reason and analogy
IL has authority. too, TO sustain il. The hes, Re
Puhlcans IN the land have ever maintained that the
power oi absolute dismissal did not, and should
abide with the Executive. Leading men Of both
OF the great parties in the country have held the
same doctrine. MIR Calhoun achieved some of his
most brilliant Senatorial laurels in urging this prin.
eiple. MIR Clay has always advocated it with the
zeal and ability Characteristic uf him. MIR TYLER
before his elevation was staunch and Jealous cham
plon OF the same doctrine.-and wrote sundry ESSAYS
IN this paper, Of very respectable ability, expatia
ting upon the Importance Of its recognition to III,
welfare OF the Republic. MIR Webster, upon thc
Capitol Square, beneath an October Sun, bore hi,
testimony to the vital consequence Of the prnep
and took issue with Mr. Madison upon the true con.
sIrueton oithe Constitution.
Under these Circumstance, tho occasion is mos
opPortune for return to the true Interpretation
the Constitution. The Administration through il,
! principal organs, (the President and the Secretar,
ofState) are committed to it. Mr. Calhoun, in tn,
last conversation we had with him. with all tn
energy OF manner peculiar TO him. affirmed tina
there could be permanent reform, until the Office
holders were liberated from Executive thraldom
All his weight and influence will doubtless b,
thrown into the scale. The Wings are all for it
for it has been with them a cardinal principle from
the beginning.
a simple resolution, then, reversing the conslruc
ton which was adopted by the casting vote of tn,
elder Adams, and declaring that the Presiden, ha
no authority under the Constitution 10 remove from
Office without the concurrence Of the Senate, woul,
certainly command the approval OF large ma iorit,
OF both Houses Of Congress. A law might b
passed, providing for the suspension Of an officer
in the recess of the Senate, or until the Sennt
could &c. upon the case.
This would indeed be reform. Its healthful in
huenee would be confined no, to the present day
but would be felt for generations. Ii would con
| tribute vastly to curb the ons.man power, and b,
setting at liberty the Office holders tend to removals
the repnbReanism in our system off overnment-ar
ingredient which ought to be chiefest-but which
from practical INSTRUMENTATION, has become III,
least in our system We commend this subject Il
! the most serious consideration OF Congress. IL i
one in which party ought not 10 enter. The con.
iuncture is favourable to its consideration irrespec
tive of party influences. Ifthe present opportunity
be neglected. one so favourable may never agar
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