The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-14

If the Senate be dissatisfied with the Presidents
| course, they have the power to control him. II
they dislike either his remOoai OF an old oficer the
nomination the appointment OF a new one, they
may reject it-just as they have properly done SO,
/ and by an unanimous vote, the nomination of the
consul general TO the Barbary States.
One other extract from this ''lucid" speech
| Of Mr. GRUNDY, which. in the opinion of the
present editor of the Union, ''settled the ques-
| ton,'' we beg leave to refresh his recollection
with. Mr.. GRUMPY said:
"Why is it that we hear so much complaint ON
the subject of removals from office II is owing to
a congenality of feeling among office-holders,
State and Federal, throughout the whole country.
They have a common interest in giving public
opinion direction in their favor. Hence,
whenever removal takes place, ALL or most of
them, unite in condemning it, and they have sue
ceeded in giving currency to the idea that there is
actual ownership Of Office in the possessor and
they speak of their offices they do of lands and
other property, which they have bought and paid
for when in truth, Il speak of Executive ofhces,)
the offices created for the public benefit and
officers employed as mere agents to perform
the duties SO long as their services will be more
advantageous to the public than others who can be
|
who will, in the opinion of the appointing power,
better promote the public interests, they ought to
be displaced. Much has been said about turning
men out who are unable to make livelihood in
any other way. When l hear this, know that
right has been done. In this wide extended ooun-
try, furnishing such variety of means for mental
and manual empleyments, if an individual cannot
live without Office, pronounce him unfit for that.
If this dea which is earnestly pressed is to pre-
vail, your Government will become parish for
the support of prodigals and spendthrifts, who,
having destroyed their own substance, will claim
employment and support from the public treasury.
II is also urged that some removed who have
been many years in office. think the error lies
in furnishing this argument to them, by having
retained them SO long. The offices held by these
individuals have either been advantageous and pro-
ftable, or otherwise If the first, they ought not to
monopoze the benefits for too great period;
they should give place to others, and not exclude
all their contemporaries during their whole lives.
If the office has been disadvantageous they ought to
be relieved from the burthen.
Gentlemen say it is an imputation the char
acter of officer, to be deprived of his Office. 1t
is not 80, except far officers have made it 80,
by pressing it as an argument for retaining their
places. 1t only proves that there is another man
well qualified he is to perform the duties; and
that the Government can be administered without
his aid.
CATER all, consider this subject of removal
matter wholly between the Chief Magistrate and
the people, with which the Senate has nothing to
do, except to that unworthy men are not APP
pointed. How this power ought to be exercised is
left to the Executive discretion, not to ours.
"When Mr.. Jefferson came into power, he found
most of the Offices filled by his political adverse
ries. He made liberal use of this power, DEEM
ing its exercise healthful to the body polite In
answer to the New Haven remembrance, which
against removals, he insists that, in order to
fair participation in the offices of the Gov
eminent, he must this power, as few die
(speaking Of the oficers) and none resign
"Were to give my own opinion, as a citizen,
should say, that all who had prostitutcd their Off
cial influence and power for electoneering pur-
poses should be removed; likewise all who loved
their party more than their country, and had man
ifested such feelings and dispositions as made IT
apparent that they would rejoice at failure OF the
administration, rather than its success. For a
Free full, independent exercise of the right Of suf-
fragc, no man should be removed. These are my
opinions nor am aware that the present admins
tration has gone beyond them
81 now say 10 gentlemen, that all their charges
of prescription and Of Cutting vengeance but
the nibbling of minnows at mountain; they can
not remove pebble from its base; and although
am aware that can add nothing to the strength
or beauty Of that vast pillar of renown, which the
great and patriotic actions Of the present Chief
Magistrate have reared up for him, will say
thing to the gentleman from Maine, (Mr HoLMEs.)
When minor men shall die, and rot, and be forgot
ten, the name Of Andrew jackson will be held in
reverence by all posterity, and his great actions
will he a ahi li0ht %