, 1869-03-13
s1ATE.MAK1no AND sLA1x.BRxAK1ao.

0$NH4
In 1e45 James K. Polk was elected TO
the Presidency, having succeeded John
Tyler, who had epostatized from the par
" which elected him, and who had, as
Andrew johnson diI, filled all the impor.
tant eftlces with friends taken from the
opposite party. These Democrats had
sought the cHlces from Tyler from
double motive: first, for the sake OF Office,
and, secoId, with view Of being in pos
session in case Democratic President
was elected. They proposed 10 plead
their Democracy against any attempt to
remove them. Against this claim OF nc
cupaaion tho Democratic "ou:s" most
vehemcntly protested, ard In that protcs.
they were supported By their represent
atlves in Congress. When Mr.. Polk be-
came President, the Democratic Repre-
sentatlves and Senators from each Safe
met in CAUCUS AID prepared q lis.
Of all tho leading offices to be
filled by Executive appointment
in their respective States, and
famed the persons agreed upon 10 fill
them. lnthis wsy were elcc:cd the Mar
shal or Mar.h>ls, District Attorney, COL
ltcsors Of the Ports, and all the Pos.mxs.
ters (then comparatively few who were
TO be appointed by the President All
minor appointments were len to the local
representative, or in case that representa-.
tive was OF the opposite party, the Stna'
'or had that patronage gwen TO h,m.
These !ists, OF estates" as they were
called. were signed by the delcg alton, and
the President WAS required to appoint
the persons thus nominated. This prAc-
lice frat BECAME party law In
1916, though previously the President
was generally expected to carry out the
Recommendations Of the Congressional
delegation. In 1910 the Wings adopted
the same rule, and In 1858, and hgsin in
1857, the Democratic Cougressmen In
sisted upon 1t as a right pertaining tc
them Occasionally the delegation was
divided, and Jailed to agree upon nomina.
tions. in which cases the President after
gairly endeAvoring to bring about unity
generally Offended both facnons by diyld
ipg the appointments between the tve
lists presented 10 him. In this way The
pewer OF appointment has been prac,I-
cally taken frim the President and com
misted to an irrespop sible body hayIn,
no executive functions. It Is pertcc,l,
proper that President, or the head OF
department OF the government, in max.
Ing appointments where. in many Cases
he Can know but little Of the persons
fitness Of the applicants, should take h
advice, and avail himself Of Ii
knowledge, Of the Congressman of th
district CT State where the appolntuen
IS 10 be made; but the practice which ha
almost acquited the force Of law Is op
pcEcd TO the theory Of our government
dc1ogato,y 10 the character OF the Exet
uu7c, ard Is fruitful source Of cor1up
ton.
The country has no doubt seen tha
Presicent Grant, while disposed to hes
and respect the recommendations Of Ih
members Of Congress upon the subject {
appointments, proposes TO exercise ii
power himself. The responsibility Is upo
him. The duty Of executing the Law
collecting The revenue, and dlsburstng
/ ADAN3kt4 AAA ENVAV04CAAy AC C4AAA
avoid. II his agents and subordinate
tail he fails. II is his duty 10 sclcc. b
subordinate officers, and in pc.lormin
that duty he proposes 10 select the be
men, judging from the best llg hts avail
able.
, The American people are very dccpl
. inttrestcd In having faithful public &c
: wants, and ca1c very little who the
! servants are. II A and 3 are equall
: capable and honest the people d., nt
care button which Of them is appoiu
. ed. Congressional dic.stion As Ia FEEDER
b appointments is inconsistent with r
: sponsiblc adminis'ration Of the gover1
l ment. Advice is another thing, and G =
T. eral Grant will undoubtedly avail himst
e Of It 10 q great exsent but II he finds
: Necessary, in order 10 secure rigid r
: sponsibuiiy aud Accountability on Il
= part ofall hts subordinstes, to dis1cga
, that system, he can rely upon tue full 4
Il proyal Of the pcople in 60 doing,