Washington sentinel., 1854-03-31

various custom-houses, and after debate, and
without taking any question thereon, the Sen
ate adjourned.
In the House Of Representatives, N. G..
Taylor, member elect from Tennessee, in the
place Of Brookins Campbell, deceased, ap-
peared and qualified. The bill providing for
the construction of six irst-class steam-frigates
was considered in Committee Of the Whole on
the state Of the Union.
THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE Gov
ERNMENT OUGHT TO BE KEPT SEP
ARATE.
Every schoolboy knows that our govern
ment is divided into three departments -the
Executive, the Legislative, and the Judicial
Every school-boy also knows that the purpose
and object of this distribution of powers was
to prevent concentration in one man or one
set Of men Of all the powers of government
The theory is, that these departments shall be
separate from and Independent of each other
As there is less relation and less communica-
ton between the Judiciary and the other two
departments than the latter hold to each other,
there is less danger Of the Judiciary acquiring,
an undue share Of power than exists in the
ease Of the other two. There being q constant
communication and correspondence between
the Executive and Legislative departments
there is ground for apprehension that the one
or the other will, by forcible or insidious
means, possess itself Of more authority than
would accord with the Constitution. Forcible
means are not much to be apprehended but
subtle persuasiens, promises of reward, and
such like insidious means are quite as effective
as force. The danger is, that the Executive
will overreach and override the other depart
ments. 1t has the advantage Of q permanent
residence, Of immense patronage and Of unity.
The Legislature, on the other hand, is during
part Of every year dispersed. The members
Of it have no fixed and permanent place. They
are very numerous, and their views and opin-
ions diverse and conflicting. Moreover, many
in such body must be needy, many more am
bilious; and it is in the power of the Executive
to satisfy their wants and crafty their ambi-
tions. In addition to this, there are many who
want places for their constituents, in order to
get popularity at home. All these things may
be accomplished by acceding to the wishes and
demands of the Executive, if the Executive be
so unfaithful to the spirit Of the Constitution
and the genius Of our institutions as to make
such terms.
We have said that the theory in this country
is, that the powers Of government are dis
tributed ameng these departments. Is this the
practice? For the reasons already briefly ad.
verted to, we are sorry to say that the practice
has, in many instances, been different from the
theory; and that one branch has not un-
frequently permitted the execution Of its own
exclusive powers to be influenced and directed
by another branch.
We have been drawn into making these re-
marks at this time, by seeing in the newspapers
and hearing in conversation remarks severely
rejecting on the independence Of the Legisla-
tive department Of the government, and on the
ambition Of the Executive department.. When
Congress has an officer Gifts own to elect, with
out any nomination by the President, men are
accustomed to say such one is the administra-
ton candidate, and Congress will not dare to
disregard the wishes and the influence Of the ad-
ministration. Every man in Washington, who
has ears to hear, has heard such remarks time
after time.
Now, the Constitution gave to the Executive
all the power it intended him to have. When
he has the power to nominate officers to the
Senate, he has the right to use his influence to
procure their ratification. Such nominees are
emphatically administration candidates. But
when either house Of Congress has the sole
power Of electing, las is the case in regard to
their own officers without any power of nomi-
nation in the Executive, then the Executive has
no right either directly or indirectly, to inter.
fere. To put up what is called an admins
tration candidate, is indelicate in itself, disre-
spectful, and dictatorial to Congress, and sub
versive Of the Constitution; and yet, how often
does it happen that miserable subordinates,
whipper-snappers, and managers, 90 about on
such occasions, with bustling selfimportance, to
spread the order that as such q man is the
administration candidate, Congress will be ex
pected to elect him. If they do not elect him
it is understood that an affront has been given
to the administration, and that prompt punish
ment will be inflicted. We take this case be
cause lattcrly II has been dinned into the ear.
of everybody in Washington, and because it i,
one of the strongest cases that can be cited to
illustrate the danger Of encroachment. If thil
country should at any time be cursed with cor
rupt Congress and corrupt Executive, then the
whole theory Of balance Of power and q sepa