The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-11
EXECUTIVE CORRUPTION REFORM

A remarkable characteristic is observable in
the arguments employed by some of the speak
ers, who have participated in the debates which
have for some time past occupied the attention
of the House of Representatives, as well as in
the measures proposed to effect the reform so
zealousy advocated from every quarter. The
reasoning seems to be based on the assumption
that dishonesty aud corruption are inseparahe
from the Executive authority, and that integrity
and purity are the exclusive gifts of the Legis-
lalure. To the conseq lences inevitably flowing
from this assumption, we have already ad verted,
and we do not now purpose to repeat our obser-
vations, We now regard it in another aspect.
That watchful eye should be kept OH the acts
of the Executive, is republican principle
That the Legislature should regulate strictly
the exercise of its power, by law, in order that
abuses and usurpation may, as far as possible,
be prevented, is indubltable But II is equally
true that it is incumbent on The People to watch
the movements of the Legislature, in which
there exists propensity TO lntrude upon the
rights, and to absorb the powers OF the other
departments" Our remarks not confined
nistration, but extend to every other. For we
have always observed, that whenever the spirit
of reform was raised into activity, the same
assumption Of Legislative purity and Execu-
tive iniquiy, has always been made implicitly
by some advocates Of the necessity of purifying
the Government. Nor do we intend that our re-
marks should apply to subordinate agents.
~,
ecutive officers in Washington. We once read
a maxim, taught by man OF great celebrity
for his wisdom, which inculcates the lesson that
all our communications with a man, Of whose
character we had not most intimate know
ledge, should be such as if we regarded him as
an enemy. But this maxim certainly should
not rule our conduct in relation to those in
whom the People have manifested their conf
dence, by placing them in the highest office
Of the country nor to those whom the Head OF
the Administration may have chosen for his
counseors, with the appreciation Of the Senate
from personal knowledge of their fitness fol
the stations for which they have been selected
! II it be true, or probable, that the Chief Execu-
tive Officer, chosen by the People, is, in every
instance, corrupt, would not the weapon Gu
the other way also, and would it not be equally
tue or probable, that each individual Represen
tative chosen by the people IS corrupt
We know that in multitude Of counsellor:
there is safety. II is unquestonably nmprobabl,
that majority, or even many Of the chosen
Representatives OF the People, sh' uld be dis
honestz-WhllSt il may happen that The single
individual holding the Executive power may b.
unworthy Of his station. But the insult oiiere'
TO the People, by the assumption on which W.
anmadvert, does not consist in claiming purlt
f Of motive and conduct for the whole body O
Legislators, while it imputes dishonesty to tn
Executive branch of the Government but II
attrbuting to the Legislative Body perfection