The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-02
VIVA VOCE.

Ii there be one feature in our Republican
form of Government more deserving of preser-
walton than another, it is that of responsibility
in the Legislative Councils of the Nation
The Representative does but reflect the senti-
ments Of his%constituents- who place in
him their confidence for the transaction Of such
business as will conduce to the prosperity and
happiness ofllhe People. Its Therefore impok-
tant for the publicsto know whether confidence
has been bestowed upon men'o " honor and strict
integrity, who will remain true to the tenets by
which they seemed to be governed during the
| canvass which elevated them to power.
| No matter with what corruption Representa-
| lives have heretofore been charged, we incline
TO the opinion that never, since the formation of
the great political parties which now exist
in the country, have they been less obnoxious to
the charge than at the present day. 1t is
true that in all ages mankind have yield
ed to improper influences; but they have
and will become honest in proportion to the
progress of civilization and the blessings of
free Government. AS if 10 guard our diploma
tic agents abroad, they are, by law, forbidden to
accept IF the smallest gifl-not even the empty
compliment Of ''the freedom of city," In
ngland, however, there is no such provision
for the reason, as alleged by one Of her states
men, that no one should be selected for an i'm
por,ant trust but a man of the strictes, integrity,
and 10 whom no suspicion can be attached
But we do not depend, for our police, in this
particular, upon Britain; although, if all men
power However, of one thing we are certain
upright men never shrink from responsibility (;
and, rather than have no boundaries prescribed
for their official actions, they will welcome any
regulation that may have a salutary tendency.
But In this country the Representative, in the
Legislature especially, is held directly response
Bile to the People. and the responsibility has
been so strongly insisted upon by all parties,
that each endeavors to- enforce it. So apparent
was this fact, that few years ago the House
of Representatives of the United States adopt
ed the rira roce system of voting for their prn-
cipal officers, in addition to the usual open and
verbal vote on leading political questions. THE
rules, too, wisely provide that one-fifth OF the
members present may call for the yeas and
nays. This system was continued through
two or three Congresses. 1t seemed to be
agreed on, as a matter Of course, that this should
be the way of effecting the elections; and
whatever little complaint was made at first by
those who opposed it, was soon succeeded by
the most satisfactory demonstrations. Many
who are free TO express their individual prefer
ences, will have no objection 10 make proclama-
ton of their choice. There may be few who
take different view of the question, and for
reasons no doubt reconciable 10 themselves
We find no fault with the latter not knowing
the motives by which they are actuated. We
simply express our hope that this good rule will
prevail during the next Congressional the con-
stituency may know where to find their Repre-
sentatives on all occasions, by consulting the
votes upon the legislative records of The country.