The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-22

rambling missionaries, defending every abuse
of ofhce-their own the most indecent-u
order to maintain power in the hands OF then
patron All who have reflected on the fore
going facts must be ready to affirm that TX
ecutlye patronage has increased is increasing
and ought to be diminished
hope then, by an early amendment of the
Constitution, to see a reduction of the President
veto. The regulation of patronage would prop
erly follow
There can be no good reason why the veto
should not be overcome by bare majority in
each House of Congress Of all the members
elected 10 t--say. for the benefit of reflection,
at the end of ten days from the return OF the
bill. An amendment to this effect would leave
the President--the general representative OF
every State and district-armed with the votes
of all the members absent at the moment from
the respective Houses and there will always
be some absent from both.
Rotation IN OGee.-The inquiry under this
head is not definite in any letter before me. It,
/ however, spresumed to Refer To Governors
and Secretaries of Territories and some of the
Judges therein; district attorneys collectors
surveyors and naval officers of the customs
marShals, pOStmasters whose commissions
amount 10 Il thousand dollars per annum: navy
agents registers and receivers of land Offices,
surveyors general of lands and Indian agents
AL of whom are by law appointed for a term
OF four years, but subject, by express enactment,
! except the Judges to be removed at pleasure.
,. TO high class of civil officers next to the
chiefs in the Executive departments ut Wash
! lngton; other high NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. min
listers, secretaries of legation, and consuls post
masters whose commissions amount to less
than a thousand dollars per annum; superin-
tendents of Indian affairs. Indian sub-agents
&c, &c, all appointed without limitation as to
time yet subject, in practce-not by express
law-t0 be also removed at pleasure and g.
To the assistants allowed by law to very many
OF the principals included above, which assist
ants are generally called clerks--some Of them
deputies appraisers. weighers, gaugers, sub-in-
spectors storekeepers, lighthouse keepers &c,
&c.-all appointed and subject to removal, as
under the second head.
| am asked whether in my poor opinion. all
those tunctiOnaries amounting to many thou
sands or any of them, ought to be periodically
superseded by original appointments If yes
when! And if part only-which!
We have seen that great number of Offices
are filled for IA term Of years, and more with
out any limitation as to term l. however, can
draw no line of just distinction between the
claims OF the two classes upon the favor of
country or Government
Promising that regular periodical changes
in the subordinate servants of the country
merely for the sake of change would neces-
sariy swell Executive patronage already too
much swollen, am obliged to add that more
than doubt, on other gounds, the policy and
justice of such changes /. Because, for the
able and prompt execution of public business
much official experience in a great number of
particular stations is known to be necessary
2. Because many otfice-holders, appointed under
even reckless adminstrations-such as we
have seen-will always, after time be found
OF tried integrity and of equal industry and
abilities. 3. Because, again, some may be
found in Il state of honorable poverty. the re-
suit no less OF stern integrity than of Il long
ana exclusive devotion to the interests of the
public and I. Because to remove such servants,
or not to reappont them at the end Of term
would not only discourage successors in II
faithful discharge Of duty, but could not fail
to outrage the moral sense of entire commune
ties speak on this head from what wit
messed in lS29-30 of the cruel experiments, on
large scale then made upon the sensblities
of the country, and the mischefs to the public
interests which early ensued
What ! would therefore humbly advise il
this to turn out not only on u change of
President, but IN any and every week of the
year, all Office holders known to be deficient
IN either honesty, capacity, or industry, and to
appoint IN their stead men known. to possess
those qualities. Without an anxious attention
to this rule, Government of the people, rest
ing on virtue and Intelligence, cannot long be
successfully maintained for blind or vicious
distribution OF enormous patronage would soon,
by the force of the highest example beat
down all that is taught in the church the
schOOl-hOuSe, and the college
One Presidential Term-Of the eight Chief
Magistrates that preceded General Harrison
whom the nation yet mOurns--the first, third,
| fourth, fifth, and seventh, presided over this
! Union, respectively, two successive terms the
other three but four years each and every
one of the eight whilst in Office, became can
| dldate for Il second term.
consider the sublime example set by the
Father Of his Country in declining a third cleo
tIon-whch has been duly followed by four
| popular Presidents, and would no doubt have
been observed with equal good faith by the
other three under like circumstanccs--as es-
tablishng barrier against third term as
HIdHSabit uh III IL were lIlDOuIpu III tile Con-
stitution itself But do not consider it respect
inl to the people, nor otherwise proper in n can
dldate, to solicit favor on pledge that if elect.
ed, he will not accept "A second nomination. It
looks too much like bargain rendered to other
asplrants-yleld to me now; | shall soon be
out OF your way--too much like the interest
that sometimes governs the cardinals in the
choice OF Pope-many voting for themselves
trlt
most superannuated, in order that the election
may the sooner come round again am, how
ever, in favor of an amendment of the Const-
tuition, in one of the forms prescribed declar-
ing that no citizen should be eligible to n re-
election to the Presidency and also of an cx-
tension of the term to that of n Senator'S
period of six years
Agency of the President in Leg,slation.-l.
am persuaded that this should be strictly
limited 2 To the veto qualified as suggested
above. 3. To the command of the Consttu-
ton, he shall from time to time, give to the
Congress information of the state of the Union,
and recommend to their consideration such
measures as he shall Judge necessary and ex-
pedient;" and 4. TO furnishing, through the
appropriate Executive departments such de-
tails for bills rs any committee of either House
OF Congress may specially call for
Leading Measures Of The late Extra Session Of
Congres.-lf had had the honor of vote on
the occasion, it would have been given in ia
vor of the land distribution bill, the bankrupt
bill, and the second bill Cor creating fiscal
corporation having long been under n con-
victlon that in peace, as in war, something
efficient in the nature of II Bank of the United
States, is not only necessary and proper, "
but indispensable to the successful operations
OF the Treasury. as well as to many of the wants
of our commerce and currency
Secret or Oah-bOund Socteiies-I have not
been member of II masonic lodge in thirty
odd years, nor vlSiter of any lodge since ex-
cept once-now more than sixteen years ago.