The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-28

the aggregate Wing votes flom the States Oh
Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Delaware and
Rhode Island. All of these States, however,
through their representatives, go INTO caucus
together and what is ofcourse the consequence
Why nothing less than the entire suoVeisioh VI
fire independent sovereign States TO- II may Dc
the insane party government of one other, whose
general interests, in principle and policy, II is
not altogether irrational to presume, may be en-
trely opposed to theirs. Yet this is result OF
party tactics, and especially of Caucus action.
But the case may be presented in much
stronger aspect. Suppose that one man in
Congress is enabled to control majority of the
members from Kentucky, when previously to
going into genel al Caucus, they hold their pri-
vate Caucus meeting. What then is the con-
sequence? Nothing less, as corollary, than
the blind subsection of five entire States in all
matters of grave and important legislative func-
ton TO the selfish, and what has often proved
the case, the destructive policy of only one man.
Will not the constituency of such Representa-
tives and Senators who thus submit to the gall
ing chains ofparty tyranny have voice to speak
upon this subject? Much disgust has been ex-
pressed at the system of log-rouing, which is
often resorted to in the Federal Legislature,
but how much worse this Caucus system than
that. In pursuing acts of log-rolling, there is
some idea of Independence after all, involved
IN such a course; there is at least condition
for vote understood and agreed to between the
a
blind and disgusting submission to the a0lH OF
some irresponsible man.
And in connection with this system Of eau
Gus pledges since it is to a certain extent sug
gested by the subject itself, we propose to say a
word in relation to the contemplated amend
ment of the Constitution by the new lights in
Whigism, in respect to the abolishing of the
Veto power. What would necessarily follow,
as result under the Caucus system, if this ne
gative legislative power was stricken from the
hands of the President where the wise trainers
of the Federal Charter placed it2 The whole
power of the Veto would Immediately find its
way virtually into the hands of some irrespon-
sbe leader-some selfish Presidential asplrant
in Congress- under whose ominous influence 1t
would be used for purposes of personal aggran-
dizement alone. We will illustrate what we
mean. In Caucus, majority of the Wing par
ty controls the entire body of representation,
and they map out the programme OF party ac-
ton. That majority, for all party purposes,
constitutes the Wing Congress, for they APP
point all the committees-lhey control, by
a. a..
solve to pass or to reject all nomlna-
tons for federal Offices made by the Presi-
dent; they respond or do not respond as
1t may suit their will, to the various re-
concentrations which the President himself,
or through his Cabinet, may lay before Congress
for the general good. Yet there may be, nay,
there is, almost invariably one man who possess
es sufficient degree Of influence to control this
majority Of majority party in Congress.
And thus, instead of this legislative function OF
the Veto residing in the hands of the Chief
Magistrate, who exercises it as Constitutional
functionary under oath, and under the existence
of personal responsibility to the People, it is at
tempted to be placed under the control OF some
perfectly irresponsible agent-in truth, one en-
tirely unrecognised by the country at large.
This is, indeed, one man power with ven
geance this, indeed, savors Of the regal robe
and inqusitora rack Still, the efigy Wings
accuse the President of treachery because he
refuses his name and character to a doctrine
that Thomas DAquamada might have blushed
to own.
An additional word in conclusion. We may
be compelled to deal further with this subject at
another time. Strange arrangements are spo-
ken of which carry his enslavement of the Re-
preventative mind even further than we have
limited at--arraugements through which new
and astounding powers are given to the commit
tees of the most important legislative body in
the world-the casting vote Of Chairman OF
committee to decide upon the character and
qualifications of a nominee for office, as an
example. We are almost reluctant to believe
this, though miracle of mischief Gf we may be
allowed the expression) on the part OF the Man
festo Wings would scarcely astonish us. Yet
SUCH it is whispered, is entirely the case.
We are proud to say there some few men
of both parties who refuse to abide this tyran-
nous requsiton. They dare to think for them
selves, and hold themselves responsible alone to
| their constituents.
TYPOGRAPHICAL.
They must have most miserable printers in
the United States Gazette Office. The frag-