Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-16

The principal, upon whom such RESPONSE
lily ~ placed for the acts OF subordinate,
ought TO BE- left as free as possl ole In the MAJ
ter Of selection and OF Dismissal. To hold him
20 responsibility for an ON cer beyond his con-
troll, % leave the question OF the fitness OF such
an agspt 10 be decided for him and not " him.
70 allow such subord nate, when the Presi-
dent, moved by "public considerations OF a
assume for himself an 81 u al right 10 act upon
bis own views Of spublic considerations, and
TO make his own conclusions paramount 10
those OF the Presiden;-to allow all this, - 10
reverse the Just order Of admins ration, and TO
place the subordinate ABOVE the superior.
There are, however, other relations between
The Pres dent and a head OF Dspar men. be-
yond these defined legal relations which nee s.
sarily attend them, though not expressed
Chief among these 10 mutual confidence. This
relation Is so delicate that II Is sometimes hard
70 say when or how it ceases. A single nagrant
act may END IL az once, and then there is no
difficulty. But confidence may be inst ef-
fectually destroyed by q series OF causes too
subtle for demonstration. As it rs apl.nt Of
such has been the process here. i
viii not pretend 70 say what acts
or missions have broken mp this
relation. They are hardly susceptlble of state
ment. and still less OF formal proof. Never
theless. no one can read the correspondence of
tne 5th Of August without being convinced
sides; that while the President was unwilling
10 allow Mr. stanton TO remain An mas adminis-
uation, Mr. stanton was equally unwilling 10
allow the President 10 carry on his admInistra-
tion without his presence.
In the great debate which look place in the
House of Representatives IN 1859, IN the first
Organization of the principal Departments, Mr..
Madison spoke as follows:
Alt IL evidently the intention OF the CoHsti-
tuition that the first magistrate should be re-
sponsible for the executive department. So
tar, therefore, as we do not make the officers
who are TO aid kiBs in the duties of thai depart.
= ! a :
10 the country. Again, is there no danger that
an on1cer, when he Is appointed by the con
currence of the Senate, and has friends In that
body, may choose rather 10 risk has establish b.
ment on the favor of that branch tha q rest II
upon the discharge of ms duties 10 the salts
faction OF the executive branch, which - con-
siitutionally authorized 10 inspect and control
his conduct And if IL should happen that the
officers connect themselves with the senate,
they may mutually support each other, and
Tor want of efficacy reduce the power of the
resident TO a mere vapor, in whisb case his
responsibility would be annihilated and the
expectation Of II is unjust The high eSecu-
tive OH GERS, joined In cabal with the Senate,
would lay the foundation of discord, and end
IN an Assumption OF The executive pewer only
10 be- removed by revolution la the govern
menI"
Mr.. Sedgwick, in the same debate, referring
10 the proposition that a he ad OF department
should only be removed or suspended by the
concurrence Of the Senate, uses this language
''But II proof be necessary, what is then IN
where ;he case is very Gear 10 the mind OF
he President thar the man ought C. be re-
moved. the effect cannot be produced, because
uis absolutely Impossible 10 produce the ne
cessary evidence. Are The Senate 10 proceed
without evIcence, Some gentlemen contend
not Then the object will be lest Shall 9
man, under these circumstances, be saddleC
upon the President, who has been appointed
Tor NO other purpose bat 70 aid the Prasiden
IN performing certain duties, Shall he 81 con.
IN Dued, ask again, against the will OF tn'
President If b. is, W here is the responsibility
Are YOU 10 hook for IL IN the President, WHIT
has 40 control over the officer. no power 70 re.
move him IL BE- acts unfeelingly or upfaith-
fluffy, Without you make him responsible
you weaken and destroy the strength anC
beauty of your system. What Is to be done il
cases which can only be known from a Ions
acquaintance with the conduct OF an officer =
had INDUCED the hope that upon the a.
semblipg of Congress, Mr.. Stanton wouls
have ended This unpleasant complication ac
cording TO the mtimation given an his note o
August " The duty which I nave felt mysei
called upon 10 perform was by no means agree
able bnt feel that am noi responsi ble iol
the controversy or for the conseq q1enCes.
Unpleasant as this nece ess5ry change in m
Cabinet has been 10 me upon personal consid
-ratioBs. have the consolation 70 De a suret
that, far as the public Interests are an olved
here Il no csuse for regret SalGtary reform,
have been Introduced by the Secretary dd "a
feris,. aud great reductions Of expenses have
hes n Effected under his administration CT the
War Department, TO the saving OF millions "a
he Treasury. ANDREW JOHNSON.
WAsHINGToN, December IL, Iess.