The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-01-23
THE WHEELING POSTMASTER IN
THE U. y. SENATE.
Remarks OF Hon. W. T. wiley, on the
Presidents Appointments in West
VIrSInIR----"ChoIee ExtraeLs'' from
the wheeling ReEister---IuIsrestIn
TO AppOIntees yet UncOndrmed.
From he GIobs Report Of thc l7th.

TO ApPOintees yet UncOnfirmed.
From the GEObs Report Of hs I7th.
Mr.. Wiley. Mr.. President, have
long entertained the opinion that the
appointing power, and especially the
power of removal from Office by the
Executive of the United States was a
very dangerous power, liable to abuse,
and that if it could be constitutionally
done there should be restrictions placed
upon it. My opinion in reference to
that subject is not the result of recent
events connecting themselves with that
question, but il has been one long en-
tertained. 1 believe that il is contrary
to the theory of our Government, dan
gerouS to its integrity and to the proper
balances of the coordinate branches /:
and was very glad that a proposition
was introduced for the purpose of ap-
plying, if possible, some proper limita-
tions on the exercise of that power.
think it is demoralizing as it now
stands, or rather as it has been exer-
cised in times past, both upon the Ex-
ecutive and upon the people, furnish
ing motives of corruption on the part
of the Executive, tempting him for po-
litical or personal purposes to the
abuse of the power which the Consti-
tuition seems to have placed in his
hands, and especially in that construc-
tion given to it by prescription and by
usage. On the other hand, it is very
demoralizing upon the people, upon the
electors.
Iam not going into the question and
did not rise to discuss it particularly,
but to express my regret that the Sena-
| tor from Vermont did not adhere to his
original bill, and resist attaching to it
any of those appendages which Sena-
tors are essaying to put upon it. /
should like to see the broad proposition
carried out by some general provision;
. ~,
4 proper operation of the principle will
be embarrassed, If not destroyed, by
| attempting to place upon it these vari-
| Gus minor restrictions and penalties to
which Senators have alluded. 1t does
seem to me that il is derOgatory to
/ the character and office of the Presi-
dent of the United States to attempt to
surround him or those under him with
these little pains and disabilities which
have been suggested in the amend
ments offered by the Senators; and
however much the power may be
abused in the hands of the Executive,
I think the only punishment commen-
surate with the dignity of the execu-
| tive office, when corrupt abuse of it
really exists, is that already provided
/ in the Constitution, Experimentation
and nothing less.
But, sir, rose principally TO notice
] some of the remarks which the Sena-
I made yesterday while he was discus
sing the pending amendment. That
| Senator then said:
'.So man can give any reason why three
hundred thousand voters in q state should
I have all the Offices in the State, while two
4 hundred and nlnety-nye Thousand voters In
| that State have no offices at all Not even
I those who aSsail the President most sternly
I and unrelentingly, think, will argue thai
/ there Is any justice and any prOpristy IN
! that II these offices belong TO ANYBODY and
] for any other purpose than the public service
itself and IL there Is 70 be any rule adopted
1 for the guidance OF the appointing power
/ perhaps that practice Is just as good as any
! other but the minority would Be entitled tc
Its share as well"
I confess to some surprise when that
honorable Senator made his statement
as TO the number of removals from
otfice during the last year. have nc