The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-12
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1919.
Atua Of the President Voting in the Ca5,net-
Faisehoods Erposed &c


Abuse of the President- Voting IN the Ca5,net-
Faisehoods Exposed, 5-e.
The reckless spirit which evidently actuates the
U"ion in Its unceasing attacks upon the Presldcsa
and his cabinet, is SO palpable, that they ca. be
productive OF little injury, excepting In quarters
either wiling to believe any lalsehood or with
people who may thi-s that unless such grave
charges as are made by the ex-organ are noticed
and toniradicted, they must contain at least a
modicum of truth. II is ,aretfy good plan, both
in politics and war; to carry the war mo the enc
mys country, but then it should be done in a, NM
thing like skilful way. Did the articles in the
Cnion possess either talent or wit, it might mea-
surably compensate for their coarseness; but mere
personal abuse OF private we'll as public charac-
ter, blackguardsm. and falsehoods, can create but
one ieehng-disgust. Surely contest carried on
by one great party against another, should be-
characterized by at least pretence Of the de-
cencies OF he and we have yet to learn the moral
distinction between written and a verbal false
hood. As John Randolph would say, the Uai,a's
attacks are those OF mere mechanic, hacking
with his Jack-knlfe, whetted on a brick.bat
For weeks past the President has been daily ac-
cused Of being an imbccile, fool, Nero, &c, &c.
hisTaihcr late IN the day to bring such charges Tho
people OF the United states well appreciate the
Character OF the man who led our gallant TROOPS TO
victory IN every battle where he commanded
lhey can value the modcsty and the high toned
honor which has ever formed distinguishing fsa-
lure IN Gen. TaylOr's life. And appreciatlny and
valuing such qualities, they can udsr whethe, the
posscssor O them can be either a fool or an linbe-
cue. The President Is OF a studious cast of mud
ne has followed a profession aiiording much
leisure time, and he has not permitted those no.
ments To be wasted.
One OF the greatest charges against him is. that
he votes IN his cabinet councils, and that all nat
tfs mere are decided by the majority. Where
The CH,o-i obtained this information. It docs not
ILforDi Iis readers; bat, the other day. IL quntsd
IN confirmation Of a.. an extract from the Wash
lngton conespondence OF the Baltimore CY,yper.
which proiessed 10 give a detailed account of how
the votes were taken. &c. Ths correspondent Of
the CfipTr " std democrat, and la W ritina as
he dad, merely gave the reins TO his Imagination.
But, supposIng the President does s,lde n, tiers
by vote IN HIS cabinet, will 1.-The Union deny that
snch procedure Is contrary to the plan pursued
by the earlier President, the immortal Wlshing-
tonl In Jen.r-on's Po-rhi.ons Works, vol. l,
nnder date of May q, I79I, Jefferson writes, in
speaking 81 matter before the cabinet, which
consisted OF Knox, Randolph, Hamilton, and hIm-
"The President was against il. bu, observed,
that as there were three for u, IL should 90. This
was the fret opportunity had seen ~ an o5pouu-
nifty TO decide by mere majority, including his
own VOTE"
Thus ID will be seen, that even if President Tay-
Tor decided matters IN his cabinet by vote-ne
voting hmseli-he would merely be following IN
the Footsteps OF Washington. But the whole mat
ter, SO Tar az relates to the President, Is a nero
hsment. We state u upon good auisOrity-antho-
rty which even the tntyn would scarcely dis
putc- that the course pursued ia cabinet now is
Ircclscly the same a. was acted upon by the last
and by former administrations.
The President, as a mater OF course, coasults his
Cabinet upon al matters which he is NOT personally
acquainted with. He hears their opinion, aud then
forms his own decision upon the question In the
matter OF appointments, II he does not know the
parties, be INFORMS hrins,lf by applying to the Sc
cretary, in whose department the appointment BE-
longs, for the papers, aud. having satisfied himself,
bs decision ~ Al once prompt aud final Tie is
not the man 10 SHRINK from responsibility; he
knows that he alone Is responsible for the proper
performance Of the executive functions If the go-