The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-10

the people placed in thai ilustrious man, to carry
ry that proposition at that day And a. last was car
Vice President So unsatisfactory was that decision.
that the question has been revived again and again Ia the
Senate has been discussed with great and distinguished
ability, and every consideration has been bestowed upon
II that talents and full scrutiny could give to T. And
happy TO that occasion like this, the grounds
sd Is Se s %
as 10 show how erroneous il was. Those who have
looked into the debates that question will have found
tive departments of the government. clause was al
first inserted providing that the head OF the department
should be removable by the President After this decis-
ion upon the question, II was moved that this clause
should be stricken out and that should stand without
any such provision whatever upon the principle that the
Congress should even prohibit il in express terms L,
power q removal was iahsIsn. in the prssidsp. q the
United States Of any prohibition Of Congress-
Now sir, according 70 the decision Of 1882 the orgi-
ns moon q ,ns senator ns from Ssw nsmp
would still have been removable by The President But
would have voted for that even, and upon the grounds
Of the Senate against the propriey of removals shall
vote upon It now, as amended on the suggestion OF the
senator from Illinois, with more willingness, because
think thait will express the opinion OF the Senate, at
least that Congress has the power to restrict the power
Of The Executive the officers Of the country shall
of Congress n l7s9 which was obtained By the casting
vote o the Vice President OF the United States,
great error twas great errora most fatal errorand
The retrace steps the better Even now,
after the lapse OF than half century, shall
slider it sign OF real progress shall vote Tor this
Ing Aa i G ss the an,s1
in its future legislation that they have the power to con-
troll this subject Of appointments and say 70 the Presi
BY and with the advice and consent OF the Senate you
please though do not say shall approve OF that
only give il as an illustration OF my dea-you shall not
remove without giving your reasons il that shall be the
preferred form OF restrictions he may have power to
suspend from Office in the until Congress shall
have an opportunity to approve or.dsapprove be,sys
have most saluary influence upon the country, and be
an ample protection to the public interest in all cases re-
curing the prompt in,epostien Of the Executive in ma
Iose for the purpose merely Of stating that, accord
ing to the principle understood to be established in
l7S9 Congress has been held not competent 10 impose
such prohibition proposed by this proposition, and
say that shall vote for it, with the strong conviction
that Congress has such power and we can 90 on 70 to
other officers hereafter.
Let it be understood. however that do not make
these observations from any want OF respect for, or
6dence n the present administration. beeve that it is
when have the greatest confidence, that we can with
the success, attempt any such reforms as these
do not beve that more honest person can be found
than the present occupant of the presidential chair but
would control not only him, but his in their
power Of removals shall vote for is the amendment
Mr. BRADBURY. MIR. President previous 10 the re-
marks OF the senator from Tennessee. was about to
would be less objection to amendment which might
/ be made by adding after the word President the
words by and with the advice and consen! of the SEN
= that the section would read, and shall be re-
movable BY the President with the advice and consent OF
Mr.. DOUGLAS. If the senator from Maine will al
low me one word the amendment OF the senator from
New Hampshire has already been modified by the add
ton Of the words which he proposes.
the question. Think the phraseoogy have suggested
preferable TO that which would contain an express prohi.
biton upon the President against the removal Of these
officers understand the settled construction oil the
constitution TO be- that the President possesses the power
OF removal regard the class Of officers auded To- in
dependent Of the Sena,e but DO not understand that the
principle settled goes far is contended by the sena.
tor from Tennessee The decision Of 1859 falls short OF
the position taken BY the senator The question at that
Madison shat there should be established executive
department. be denominaed the Department Of For
egn Affairs at the head Of which should be an ofcer 70
appointed by the President by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, and removable by me Presi-
ton the President possessed The power Of removal act
ing independent OF the Senate or whether the Senate
must with him, and consent to the removal that he
might not prescribe fixed and definite term OF ofice
which would be respected by the Executive but whether
the power OF removal was in the President aone or must
be exercised, like that OF appointment with the concu
renee Of the Senate. These apprehend, are different
questions The senator from Tennessee seems to sup
ss nsy ss are ,ss eh scn
limit or prescribe the tenure Office II the construction
honorable senator from Tennessee should object 70 the
amendment which suggested, and should not oner it
Whether the construction OF the clause OF the cons'ltu-
ton referred TO which has been given was correct or not
do not propose to inquire. II has become the settled
construction upon which every branch OF the govern.
think it, i wise to oyerarn settled decisions by an amend
ment OF this character upon such q bill a. this.
The question raised is which has engaged the at