The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-11-02
Tn. Prs.,deas,. Cabinet.

Since General Taylor came into power, and forced
by his ignorance and inexperenee in civil affairs 10 in
trus, the duties OF the chief magsacy to his cabinet
thai body has become formidable and controlling power
in the State As necessary consequence Of investing
officers, purely ministerial with executive powers and
authority the composition Of the cabinet and the per-
sonal and political character of its members, matters
OF high public concern. We propose, therefore. to SET
forth the relation which the constitution establish
between the heads Of departments and the President
and in future articles, contrast with the relations
which exist practically under the present administration,
and TO show some Of the inevitable evils which must
flow from the present condition OF aAarsin realizing
the English idea of power behind the throne greater
than the throne self"-in building up an irresponsible
power behind the President more powerful than the
President HIMSELF on account Of the entire absence Of
all responsibility
When the powers and duties OF the Executive were
under consideration in the convention which framed the
constitution, the idea OF establishing executive
ell was entertained and than plan OF consti-
tutng such body was considered and discussed. Blu,
they all properly and wisely discarded, because il
would be manifesy difficult, not impossible, to create
such council without destroying the great principles Of
our institutions, viz: that the highest OF
public officers are but representatives and that they
who exercise authority must be amenable for their
acts, and responsible TO the people for their official
conduct Power without responsibilities responsible
ity which be made effective by the peoples
al war with the genius Of our governments and there
is no plan which would incorporate that obnoxious
principle into our institutions more surely than an
executive council, no matter OF what material il might
be composed-whether OF members OF the Supreme Court,
of persons nominated by the President and confirmed
BY the Senate The trainers Of the constitution showed
great sagacity, therefore, in rejecting every proposition
which was submitted 70 them, having for its object the
creation Of such body They had the foresight TO per-
ceve that divided Executive produce 6ckleness.
vaclation and consequent feebeness in the admins
ration; or become star chamber council, which would
destroy that just accountability to the will and authority
Of the people which mus, always exist in representative
republican government division Of power enables
public officers having the same constituency to evade
responsibility; and when responsibility is evaded and
destroyed the forms Of a republican government may
possibly exist, but they will be mere forms confering
Of the real benefits Of repubIicanism upon the
people.
All the propositions for creating executive council
having been rejected unwise and at war with the prn
cples Of constitutional liberty the constitution ex-
pressly declares that "rHE ExrcuTvE POWER SHALL M
VESTED IN PREsDEsT OF THE USnED STATES And
as the President could not at all times personally supen
tend every branch Of the public service executive depart
mepts provided for aud the President was empow
cred to REQUIRE THE OPINION IN WRITING or THE pRrN-
crPAL OFFICER IN EACH on THE EXECUTIVE DEPARrMrSrs
UPON ANY suBJEcr RELATNG TO THE DUTIES or THEIR
oyrrcEs- II is plain that these provisions
forbid the establishment Of any executive council or d.