The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-27
who Has the Power to Nominate ONCE
Holderss

who Has the Power to Nominate ONCE
Public attention has been Of late much
occupied in watching the action Of the Sens.
tors and Representatives at Washington, in
regard to the treatment Of applicants for
official positions, and OF their sentiments in
regard to their right to the distribution Of pa.
troDsge. That much interest should be felt in
their actions is natural, and ths, considerable
surprise should follow the development OF
their opinions need not be deemed singular.
AS we have no personal feeling in the matter,
no personal ends TO subserve, nor any bitter
ness TO cause resentment We can afford 70
view the claims of the members Of Congress
in the light Of calm discussion aud not Of feel
ing. The caucus of the Pennsylvania mem
bers, We are told, agreed TO ask the Pre-
sdent 10 let each member who is Republican
name all the sppointees TO Office in his
own district, and that the Senators should
name all the officers in the dis
tiicts represented by Democrats, and
all the general positions not located
in any particular district. Is such an assump-
tion of power warranted either by precedent,
justice, or the spirit OF our ins,itutionsf II
it is, then we have no fault 30 find, but IL not,
then We must esteem the interference with
the appointing power great wrong and one
which should be disregarded by President
Grant. We are free TO say that we iud
nowhere any ground for such an action as
that of the Pennsylvania caucus. The Con-
stitution of the United States defines the duties
of the several departments Of government.
The Executive is distinct from the legislature,
and the powers and privileges OF the one are
entirely independent OF the other The
responsibilities OF each are different. Mem
bers Of Congress are selected 60 lesislaie.
They are to make the laws. As the chosen
representatives of the people, they should
he entitled TO respect: and their opinions cf
men in their own districts, while not con-
elusive are nevertheless Of value. hecsuse Of
the confidence which the people have reposei
in them. They therefore should he heard
in all their utterances with attention. This
is all they can demand. The Senators, how
ever, so further than this in their claim OF con-
sttutional privileges, They are 10 advise aud
consent 80 the nomination of men 90 Office.
The whole Senate is 10 do this. Bat tley
have nowhere the power 10 leave the advice
and consent TO two Of their number, nor have
they any right, exoepI through courtesy, TO
recommend any one to SD appointment. The
Contribution is explicit The Presiden, shall
nominate, and by and with the advice and
consent OF the Senate shall appoint" etc.
When name comes before Them, they have
the right 70 reject the continuation, but
they have no power and 10 right 70 Say to the
PTegident:-"You muEt not nominate any one
without consulting us; II you do, wen oppose
the confirmation" The duty Of executing
hin alone; AID &c the choice
Of his own suboIdinstes is essential 20
his proper pOnsibiLty, the selection
should be absolutely Lett with him. 80 much
for the Law Oa the subject. Ia regard 70 the in
deliescy Of such osvrse az that proposed, NE
need not speak.
II Is beyond al doub! tgae that the right Of
the Piesidsnt 70 sslsc. his own officers is incoR-
sistsnt with the exercise 0f the 30 called
right Of the members Of Congress, sad one
which would, iftolsrsted, rs1u@e the Executive
~ the attitude 0i mere m0uthpieoe, 70 say
~ the Senate words which the Senate should
PIT into his mouth. "A,. President, NC
want Dir. Jones Minister 70 Italy" gay
the Senators for State. And the response IL
" come thus, 81 n0minste Mr.. Jones'" Ths
Senate then confirms. Whsre, we would like
10 know, IL there any executive power in
such proceeding' IL II MOI deIogst0ry 70
the Presidential dignity, and calculated 10 do
away with executive efficiency again, Il is
subversiys Of the very spirit Of our institu-
tions. member Of Congress Is sent 10
Washington to lsgislsts for his constituents,
and TO represent aud obey them. what does
he doi He goes and fills the district with
his followers and personal friends. Hs has
an assessor, with his assistants, In every
ward, and his eubordinateg In every pre-
clnct; collector, with his score OF clerks
and deputies; postmaster, with his clerks
inspectors, supervisors, and all the other
officials are named by him. What is the result
lie has just 80 many men bound to follow him
and work for him, and a. they live oil Of him,
they seek to secure his denomination. He
makes himself the head Of band OF men who
live on his favor. The patronage OF the Gov
eminent Is not, therefore, divided so as TO
effect most good in the public service, bat 80
as to most strengthen the reigning prince.
The people are slighted and ignored, and the
whole district, with its l2O, 900 residents and
~, OOO voters, circles around one man. and he