The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-11-02
VIVA YOCE.

Ii there be one feature IN our Republican
form Of Government more deserving Of preser-
walton than another, il is that of responsibility
in the Legislative Councils of the Nation
The Representative does but reflect the senti
ments of his constituenls--those who place in
him their confidence for the transaction of such
business as will conduce to the prosperity and
happiness of the People. 1t is therefore impor-
tant for the public TO know whether confidence
has been bestowed upon men of honor aud 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-
tives 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 10
accept Of the smallest gift-not even the empty
compliment of 'the freedom of city," In
England, 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
porlant trust but man Of the strictest integrity,
and to whom no suspicion can be attached
But we do not depend, for our police, in this
particular, upon Britain although, if all men
were pure, the argument would possess much
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
bic 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 a few years ago the House
of Representatives Of the United States adopt
ed the rird roce system of voting for their prin-
cipal officers, in addition to the usual open and
verbal vote on leading political questions. 1.-THE
rules, too, wisely provide that one-ilth OF the
members present may call for the yeas and
nays. This system was continued through
two or three Congresses. 1t seemed 10 be
agreed on, as a matter Of course, that this should
be the way of etfecting 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
i
ton of their choice There may be a few who
take a different view Of the question, and for
reasons no doubt reconcilabe 10 Themselves
We find no fault with the latter, not knowing
the motives by which they are actualed. We
simply express our hope that this good rule will
prevail during the next Congressman the con-
may know where to find their Repre-
sentatives on all occasions, by consulting the
votes upon the legislative records of The country