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

rectory 10 exercise executive power and that they en-
rey exclude the idea that the heads OF the execut 20 de-
partments shall form executive council, which shall
be empowered to administer The government and in any
manner relieve the Chief Magistrate from any portion
OF his just responsibility to his constaentshe people
and the States OF this coniedeacy Under the consu
ton, the President may require the written opinion OF
the principal officer in each OF the executive departments
but expressly limits that power the subjects relating
to the duties of such officer. and the President cannot
rghtfully require such opinion upon any other sub
ect But is 10 find man SO dogmatical that he
does not desire to have the opinions of others in con-
Quoting important affairs reckless not 10 seek for
council and assistance II therefore, natural that
the President having the power to nominate the heads OF
departments, would nominate those in whom he reposed
trust and confidence and should after their appointment
endeay0rto profit by their consultation and councils This
course was right and proper for the constitution never
intended to isolate the President, cut him of from all aid
and assistance, and throw him entirely on his own
sources II left him free. man. to consult with whom
he pleased and Of free to consult with the heads
OF the executive departments The President could not
require the heads Of departments to state their opinion,
to such subjects as related 10 the duties Of each
speciive officer But the heads OF departments were
left free to give their opinions either verbally or in
writing, on any question which might be submitted
to them Under these circumstances, it natural that
even the earlier Presidents should consult freely with
the members Of the cabinet and dispense with the trouble
of written opinions, except in grave and important
matters Thus strict Interpretation OF the constitution
permits the President to regard the cabinet advisory
body without the power to make that advice authora
tive but the President must take upon himself the
sponsblity Of being swayed by that advice. much
if it emanated from his private friends who held no
official post The members Of the cabinet not elected
the peoples they not responsible to the people and
politically speaking, they unknown to the people
And any construction OF the constitution must, therefore,
be untenable well as OF dangerous tendency which
makes the members Of the cabinet the absolute deposo
res of any portion of the executive power and authority
Up to the 4th Of last March, the views which have
hastily presented were adhered almost without excep
ton in the practical administration OF the government
The earlier and the later Presidents submitted subjects Of
difficulty and importance the heads Of departments, and
cabinets and held themselves and exclusively respon
themselves responsible, they held by others-a
responsibility which their best friends wished
to see avoided But since the administration Of General
Taylor commenced the principles of the constitution and
the rghul practice Of the earlier Presidents and Of the
later Presidents, and emphatcay Of his immediate prede
cessor Mr. Polk, well know have been abandoned
limitations given even during the last canvass,
that the wing party intended, in the event of General
Taylors election, that his cabinet should not only be
advisory body, but body which pouid be permitted
to decide questions Of administrative policy The advo-
Of General Taylors election could not but admit his
ignorance of political affairs and his want Of experience in
civil dutes and in order avert the odum of sustain.
ing for the presidency consssediy unfit for that high
posi- they endeavored to excuse themselves by saying
that Gen Taylor would if elected, surround himself with
cabinet, composed OF able and experienced statesmen
which would prescribe the course of his administration
Designing foresaw that they might, by elevating
the cabinet into directory, give bitter party char
acter to the administration even of a man who had
no decided party views and, in despite OF his pledges
and promises. give increased bitterness 10 party war
fare They saw, too. that they would be enabled by
this device 10 avoid submitting their system of pub
lie policy to the decision of the people, and, through
the insirumentaty OF executive cabal gain all the
party advantages which would result from fair and
open triumph before the people The scheme although
unpatrotc and dangerous to the principles OF the govern
ment, cunningy devised II succeeded and the
whg party enabled TO elect General Taylor by his
pledges Of moderation and forbearance and BY his cleo
ton to smuggle into power strictly party Executive in
the form Of irresponsible cabinet inrus,ed with the
powers Of the presidential Office Soon after the fourth OF
March became apparent that Gen. Taylor had practically
abdcated his powers the heads Of department. and thai
instead OF merely consulting with them. he allowed them
override his opinions and decide the principles which
should be carried out He had made promises to the
people, but he surrendered TO others the power which
was necessary in order enable him to fulfil those prom
ses. As natural consequence, those promises were
openly disregarded, or violated without shame. The
members OF the cabinet elected and they had
given guarantee TO the people. They nesponsi.
ble and have no fear Of condemnation which cannot
reach them But space does permit us to pursue this
subject further at the present time We will soon recur
to it, and endcavor to show the evils Of the present sys
tenn
The New York Herald rcpublisbes the letter OF e."
from the New York Courier and seems to attach much