The national Republican., 1867-01-05
THE APPOINTING POWER AND
80 FORTH. ..

The sentiments which we expressed briefly,
perhaps roughly, in an article captoned as
"Our Three-legged Stool" in which we gave
some hints respecting the triunity Of our
Governmental powers, seems to find an echo
in some Of the leading Republican presses.
The New York EVening Post Of Thursday
says:
"In watching the proceedings Of Congress,
since its meeting, one is struck with the large
number Of bills and resolutions Of inquiry
directed in SO many ways TO the one object
Of limiting the powers or counteracting the
influence of the Executive Department Of
the Government chiefly in matters con-
nected with the appointment and removal Of
officers
Members appear to forget that the dis
pute between Congress and The PREsDESr
was referred to the people, decided by them,
and is now out Of the way. As matters stand,
and as the two Houses will be constituted
until the 4th Of March, 1869, the whole power
Of the Government is in the hands OF Con
gress. The President has really no power
worth speaking Of, except by the permission
Of Congress.
"And yet bill has been reported TO the
House, with the recommendation Of the Com.
mittee on Retrenchment that itpass, by which
TIE PRESIDENT is deprived Of the power ol
removing any officer, except the members oi
his Cabinet, for any cause or crime, however
fragrant, except with the concurrence Of the
Senate, on cause shown. 1t is a radical sub
version Of the Constitution, as that has been
held from the beginning by all parties and
by the people. 1t changes the form Of our
Government, from q republic administered
by the will Of the people, to bureaucracy
thu worst Of all forms except slaveocracy.'
The Post recognizes the importance Of
maintaining the checks and balances in our
governmental machinery as they were ad
justed by the founders Of our political insti
tutions, and it well says that "the power oI
appointment and removal was properly as.
signed in the Constitution to the executive
branch Of the Government. Its possession
was deemed essential TO the discharge Of the
great trust, Of seeing that the laws are exc.
cuted. Our late experience has shown the
great importance Of having the eIecutiv,
department strong in al its functions il
times Of great emergency. No man can as
sure us that we or our children will not SCI
occasions Of still greater peril and difficulty
where the salvation Of the country from alb
solute ruin may depend upon the vigorou
and prompt exercise Of this power"
In order to realize the force Of this argu
ment, let us reflect upon the beginning o
the rebellion. Suppose Mr.. BUCHANAN hac
been informed with a knowledge Of th'
threatening danger, and had been all alive
with energy in averting It and suppose tha
some absurd legislation Of Congress ha'
taken from him the power TO remove from
Office men who were doubtless aiding tn
schemes OF those who were trying to spill
the Union asunder;,; in such case Mr.. Br
cHASAN would have occupied an extremel
unfortunate position, although he nigh
have pleaded excuse that he cannot no'
avail himself Of II party were plotting
rebellion against the Government at som
future day they would, without doubt, favo
this plan Of tying the hands and feet Of tn
Executive. But there are men, extremel
radical in their views, who, foreseeing wha
would be their own position in the PresldeI
tial chair, protest against the curtailment G
the constitutional powers wisely placed b
the wisest men in the hands Of the Presiden
OF the United States.