The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-01-08


change. A contest is commencing, in relation to
the Executive power Of removal from Office,
wherein leading men Of both the great parties will
have reversed their former opinions, or least have
totally changed their positions A democratic SEN
ator from Maine has offered resolution, calling
upon the President to furnish 10 the Sendte copies
of the charges filed in any Of the Executive off-
4 ces, against all persons removed from office since
the fourth of March last, with specification Of the
cases wherein the parties accused have had an op-
portunity of defence. The call implies me Ilght
and intention to serunze the motives Of the fresi-
dent and investigate the grounds OF his oeclsloni
in the exercise or his power to remove from office
| The presumption is that the Senate is competent
to sit in Judgment upon the motives OF the Presl-
dent and can rghtfully act upon his appointments,
when preyented for their confirmation, not merely
in reference to the fitness of the persons appointed,
and the expediency of the appointment for the
public service, but as judges Of the Presidents
action in making change.
This was, in former times, emphatcally the doc
irine Of the wings. That party maintained it, in
their opposition to Gen. Jacksons removals, and
insisted that the Senate was entitled to be fully
consulted on the reasons for removal as well as on
the application for their assent to an appointment
The present Secretary of State, Mr.. Clayton, was
one Of the most strenuous in upholding this right
and declared that, a Senator he would feel
bound to vote for the rejection Of nominee after
nominee, ad iafaeituaa, unless satisfied with the
grounds upon which the previous incumbent had
been removed.
This doctrine IS now apparently put forth by
democrats and it is highly probable that the wings
will take up the ground formerly maintained by the
democrats in supporting their President, that the
power of removal in the Executive is not liable to
the supervision of the Senate, and that their func-
tons limited 20 the examination of the expedi-
ency Of the office, and the fitness, in capacity and
integrity, of the person nominated. The Republic
the official organ of the Cabinet at Washington,
takes the broad ground that the Senate have nc
| right to inquire into the cause Of removal--thus
rejecting at once the whole doctrine formerly ad,
yanced by the present Secretary Of State. 1t is
evident therefore, that the friends of the Admins
tration viii generally oppose the call of Mr.. Brad
bury; and that its support will come from the othei
side-positions, as we have said, reversing com
petely the old attitude of parties in respect to thi.
question.
| Still, although the democrats have majority il
the Senate we do not think it will be so united as
to carry the resolution. Besides the awkwardness
of SO complete change of doctrine, some may
reasonably have scruples about the expediency, in
a party point of view of making an issue, which
must end unproftably If the President, in the de-
fence of his constitutional rights refuses answer
or withholds the information, as not within the
constitutional competency of the Senate to ask for
he sustain himself by the Best democratic pre-.
cedents and authorities; and the Senate will be
| without remedy, except in some such bootess ex.
preston Of censure the wings tried against Gen.
jackson, and got the Expunge for their reward
The democrats had better let all such examples
Alone and Oonane themselves to practica bic and
consistent modes Of testifying their dsapproval Of
the acts Of tbs President.
Its said that the call for charges and spscfca.
tons Is made necessary for the vndieatien Of per.
sonal character. The ground is assumed that Gen.
Taylor1s language, while a candidate and since,
and the tone Of his supporters, in relation to the
appointing power, make removal by him stigma
upon the officer removed as dishonest or incapable
We do not see how frutless demand for reasons,
which the President is not bound to give, will cor
rect any such Misrepresentation misapprehen-
sion it be. Besides that end, if attainable, can be
reached in direct way, by the ordinary action of
the Senate in its Executive character All nomi-
nations are referred to committees empowered to
inqnre into all the facts of the appointment, as
well the character and qualifications of the party
nominated. Such committee can get, in regular
course of its duty all the information which reso-
luton of the Senate could bring, and would avoid
| the appearance of an open conflict before the
country.
/ We do not doubt that on such an application
the President would readily remove the grounds Of
complaint that he has designed, in the exercise Of
his powers, to mark every man removed as I'M
worthy and incapable A few generous words,
which he is capable of uttering, would relieve
many upright men from a very Notifying position,
and correct, what are very sure, is a very mis-
taken opinion of the rule of his Executive conduct
AT all events, this would be wiser policy of the
democrats than that Of setting up new doctrine
about Executive powers, and wasting themselves
in conflict from which they can reap no adj
vantage
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