The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-26
The Tenure Of Public omces.

History presents parallel TO American institutions
We are surrounded and protected by laws. which we
scarcely feel, consisting OF those Of govern
menls all supreme within their respective Jurisdictions
all working with harmony exciting the admiration OF
the world We have na'ional government, with linn
lied powers, extending whole terrory--S,ate
governments, with authority coexiensive with their lin
is and city, county town. and school district jorsdc
tons. with differing grades OF power, all operating
tor the public good. The power which gave the breath
OF life 10 the whole is derived from the people in the
exercise OF their free and sovereign rights Those who
work all this machinery the agents of the people,
lecled by and accountable to, them for the execution
OF their rusis The people adop, constitutions. and pass
judgment upon the laws, and determine whether they
shall continue or be repealed Neither birth nor for.
tune qualities TO be such agents in making or exc
cutting the laws. One noble feature of our institutions
is that each of the sovereign people may in turn be
called upon 10 make, conslrue, and enforce the laws
The hope OF doing so, tune, contributes largely
10 the qualifications necessary for that purpose among the
people a, large. and essentially aids in promoting the
object, OF social organization In such govern
men,s no one ran properly expect monopoly OF public
Office. The healthfu operation of institutions ssquires
changes OF public servants Oar national Constitution
limits the OF service OF the President 10 four years
The Senate sir, The House two, and the Jsdges during
life All other national Offices depend upon Congress
for their tenure. The President. senator's. and members
may be reelected often he people shall prefer Them
to others their agents. This brings the manner in
which they have discharged their duties before them pc
rodlcaly for review, when they can approve or con-
denim. Without this accountability the responsibility of
the agent would be nominal, and never felt 10 mos,
IL. Ia, ~ al.
compelled submit their qualifications and conduct an.
nualy the people II is conceded on all sides that this
periodical renewal OF public agencies has proved highly
advantageous TO the public interests.
In most Of the States all civil trusts are limited by
law constitution, to short periods, except in the Judi
ciary-,o one, Two. or three years. With limited ex-
cepiions, ibis is Otherwise under the national gov
eminent. While the States ara daily improving and
conforming their action 10 the popular will, modified
and regulated by experience, national laws, in
mosi casea, remain unimpFoved, and not adapted 10
the age in which live. The OF May is, 1920
limiting four years district attorneys, collectors.
naval officers and surveyors OF the customs, navy
agents. receivers and registers OF the land Offices paw
masters in the army and oommissary general and post
masters, where the Offices worth annually thou
sand dollars (9er act OF 1850 and marshals under
the act Of i7se--contans nearly all the exceptions
These constitute bu, small portion OF the persons
who hold even civil offices under the federal gov
ernment Ministers and consus abroad, heads OF
bureaus here clerks OF courts, commissioner eerks
and Others in various public Offices. inspectors of the
customs light house keepers pos,masers receiving less
than a thousand dollars per annum mail agents, naval
constructors. engineers. several classes of disbarsng
agents with numerous other Offices and agencies. are
limited in their tenure They must ell remain for life.
which is in drec, hostility with the spirit Of io.ti,u
tone or the appointing power must exercise the painful,
il not odious duty Of removal. Changes mus, and will
be made by all political parties. Except when made
distinctly and openly upon political grounds, removal
implies deg rsdaon Ia ali cases, the time OF change be-
ing uncertain the incumbent IL liable 10 Idle thousand
deaths in fearing one"
Our reflection. on this subject have led 10 be-
heve tina, il would be an improvement in our sys-
lem 10 extend the provisions OF tue ACT Of May 18Th
1890 20 nearly all the Official employees OF the gov
ni or other define ali Official iensres by statute
Although moi prepared LAY that should extend 70 tue
army and navy where re-exsmioauon of auahca''o "a