The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-03

most influential in Tho country, has greatly weak
ensd the moral sense Of those who serve In subordinate
places The expenses OF tho United States, including
interest on the public debt, arc more than
six times as much as they were seven
years ago. To collect and dsburo this vast amount
requires careful supervision well as sys.e naic vgi
lance. The system never perfected was mucn diso:-
esnized by the tenlre Of oilco bill : which has almost
destroyed official liability. The President may
be thoroughly convinced that officer Is incapable,
dishonest unfsthlui ~ the constitutions but under
tho law which | have named tho nsmoas
he can DO IS to complain to the senate
and ask tho privilege OF supplying his
personally politically hostile 10 The President II ID
natural and not altogether unreasonable for officer 10
expect that II viii take his part far as possible, re-
his executive superior An officer has other
chances OF IMMUNITY arising from accidental do.
secrcry Of hearing. II 10 not wonderful that Of
ncal maifeasance should become bold in proportion
denqnents learn TO think themselves safe am en-
trely persuaded that under such rule the President
cannot perform the duty assigned to him o seeing
laws faithfully executed, ana that disabIes him most
especially from enforcing rigid accountability which
is necessary the due OF laws.
The constitution invests Pres dent with authority
decide whether removal should be made In
any given case The act OF congress declares
SUBSTANCE that be shall only accuse such as he
supposes TO be unworthy OF Their The cons'itu-
ton makes him sole judge In the premises. but the
statute takes away his jurisdiction, transfers IL TO tho
Senate, ana leaves him nothing but tho odious and
Tho prosecution Is to be conducted before tri-
bunal whose members not like him
sponsibe 10 the whole people, but TO separate
constituent bodies, and who may hear his
station with great dssavor The Senate IL absolute,
without any known standard Of decision applicable 10
such Its judgment anticipated for IL
Is not governed by any rule The law docs not define
what shall be deemed good cause for removal II ID
impossible even 70 conjecture what may or may not be
considered by the The or the subject
forbids clear proof IL the charge be incapacty, what
evidence VIII support IL Fidelity 10 the constitu-
ton be understood misunderstood in thousand
different aud by violent party in violent party
times, unfai huness the constitution may
20 o. considered mes,soriou, an oicer o. accused
ferred from acis unconnoced with public duty from
private history from general reputation, by await
ing the commission Of an actual misdeiDeanor
in offco9 Shall he 10 the meantime risk tho char
acsr and interest OF the nation In the hands Of
men to whom he cannot givo his confidence Must he
forbesr his complaint until mischief Is douo and cannot
DO prevented II hiA zeal in pubic service should I'M
pei him 10 antcipa0 overt acts, must he move at
peril OF being tried hmsel for the offence Of sandeTng
his subordna,es 10 the present circumstances Of the
country must be held responsible for official do
inqmencies OF every kind II isextremey difficult TO say
where that responsibility should be thrown. ir II be
not left whore has been placed by the constitution
But all just men Will admit that the President ought 70
be entirely relieved FROM such responsibility IL he
not meet by Of restrictions placed by law upon
bis actions. The Unrestricted power Of removal from
Office Is very great one to he trusted 10 magis
chosen by general suffrage OF the whole people,
and accountable directly 70 them for hts acts II il
doubtedly liable abuse, and at somc periods OF our
history perhaps, has been abused II be thought de-
sirabe and constitutional that IL should he limited
TO make the President merely common iniormsr
against other public agents. no should least be per-
mted TO act in that capacity before open tribunal
independent OF party politics, ready to ins essae the
merits OF every case, furnished with OF taxing
evidence and bound 10 decide according 10 csab.
shed rules This would guarantee the safety OF an
accuser when be acts In good faith, and at tho same
the rights Of tho other party. speak Of
with all proper respect for tho present Senate
bat il does not seem 10 me that any egs.
lative body can be so constituted a. 10
insure is fitness for thess functions. 1t il no, tho
theory OF this government that public Offices tho
property OF those who hold them. They arc given
n trust afor Ave-.
PERIOD sometimes durlug good behavior, but generally
thsy liable to DO terminated at tao pleasure OF the
appointing power which represents the collective
majesty and speaks the Will Of the people, The forced
retention 10 office OF q single dishonest person
sy 70 The public service NO. r aho
power TO remove, but from the power to
appoint For this u was that the trainers OF the consti
tuon loft the power OF removal unTestrced while they
gavo the senate right 10 rcioct all appointments
which, 10 Its opinion were not ~ 70 be made lttIc
reflection this subject will probably satisfy all who
good of the country a. heart, that best
course IL 10 take the constitution for guide walk In
tho path marked out by tho founders OF the republic
and oosy The rules made sacred by tho Of
our great predecessors.
the present condition Of finances and circulating
medium Ia one which your early consideration Is
vitsd The proportion which the currency OF
try should to thewholo value OF annual produce
circulated BY its means, question upon which poll
t,cal economists not agreed, be
by legislation but must DO LETT 10 irrevocabIo awi
craing medium will ever BIO to those points whore Il
In greatest demand Tho law Of demand and supply ID
nerrns - that which regulates the tides OF ocean.
indeed the currency IKE Tho tides has It's Gibbs and
flows througbort Tho commercial world Al the beginning
OF the rebellion the bank note circulation Of tho country
amounted ~ not much more than. two hundred million
dollars Now the circulation of national bank notes and
those known legal tenders ID nearly hundred
millions While It Is urged by some that tins
should DO increased others contend that decided re-
ducon absolutely essential TO the best OF tho
country In view OF these diverse opinions II NAV be
well 10 ascertain the real value OF paper issues
when compafot With q metallic or controvertible
vency. For this purpose LEI Us inquire how much gold
and silver could be purchased by hundred millions
Of paper money, now In circulation. PROBABLY
not moro than half the amount OF the latter,
sa ing AVA r.
$3.50 coo 000 Ths striking fact makes il the obvious
duty Of tho government ss early ~ may DO cons sten
with the principles OF sound political economy
such will enable the holders OF s and
those OF national banks them without loss
circulating medium need not necessarily follow This
however, would depend upon the law Of
demand and supply. though n should 30 borne
bank notes convertible into cola or It's equivalent,
the present specie value tue hands OF thor holders
would be enhanced hundred per cent Legislation
for the accomplishment Of result so desirable 10 de-
manded BY the highest public considerations. fhc
stituon consempatss that the circulating medium Of
the country shall be uniform 10 quality value At
the time OF the formation OF that instrument the
try bad just emerged from the war OF The revolution
and was suffering from effects OF . redundant and
worthless paper currency. sagss OF tho period
were anxious 70 protect their posterity from
evils which the themselves had experienced Heuce,
in providing circulating medium they conferred upon
Congress the power TO coin money and regulate the
value thereof; At the same time prohibiting the States
from making ANYTHING but gold and silver tender in
payment OF debts Tho present anomalous condition OF
our currency In striking contrast with which
originally designed. Our circulation now embraces,
nrsi-Notss OF national banks which arc made rccsv-
able for all duiios 70 government, excluding I'm
ports, and by all is creditors excepting In pay
msnt OF interest upon IT, bonds aud securities
themselves sccond-Legal tender notes, issusd
BY the United States, and which the Law requires shall
Be received we'll In payment OF all debts between c
Of ali government duea excepting imports; and
thirdGod and silver coin BY the operation OF
present system OF fnances however metallic currency
when collected l. reserved only for GLASS OF govern
msnt CREDITOR, Who, holding s bonds, seni-annualy
their Interest," In coin from the national Treasury
They are thus made 70 occupy "a invdious position,
which may b used 70 strengthen the arguments q
those Who would bring Into disreputs The obIiea-
tons Of the nation: Ia payment q al lie debts
the plEhted faith OF the should DO nvioa-
bly, maintained; but while Il acts with 1dsy towards
the bondhodsr who loaned his money that tho integrity
Of the Union might DO preservsd u should ~ the same
people who having rescued the Union from tho psriIs