Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-01-19
NEM oITr eoyERNMENT.


NEW CITY GOVERNMENT.
On yesterday the new city government
was set upon its legs, and now stands
forth thing Of life for two years to come.
la breathing into it the breath of an ami
mated existence, some little difficulty
4 was experienced in getting oil the paris
n work 10 unison. Difficulties arose
which had not their origin in the mechsn-
ism Of the city government alone; ou1
the game have been met with IN the
great National Government, of which
this is only model. We refer TO the
( relative movers of the executive and the
lsUislative departments to fill Offices.
The Constitution of the United States
confers the appointing power of offices
upop the President, but by and with the
advice and consent Of the Senate. IL IS
evidently the intention of the law that
these separate departments of govern
mept shall have co-equal powers IN the
annoiutment of officers. The Pres
sdent has no right to dictate to the
senate IN the matter Of filing offices;
and, upon the other hand, the Sem
ate should not presume to exer-
else the authority Of appointment with
out the suggestion from the President
6rst. Both branches of the government
are Of the people. and represent equally
public opinion. 1t is not for the one or
other to pretend to be the more correct
sxponent Of public feeling, when they
are creatures alike Of the same creative
mower. We are aware that Congress
has. by the late enactment Of the tenure
of-ofice law, stripped the Presidential
Office Of its appointing power to great
exleot That is, while the power to aug-
eest has not been interfered with, Con-
eress reserves to itself the right Of
removing officers after they have been
appointed. This originated the quarrel
between Andy johnson and the Senate,
and resulted in the final impeachment of
the President.
Now, TO bring ourselves to consider
the action of our City Government on
yestevdey, it may be seen at glance
that the only difficulty arose was upon
this very point. The Mkyor had noni-
mated certain officers who we're not alto
gether acceptable to the General Council.
While the Mayor had no right to say
that he would nominate none other than
those who had been first named, the Gen
eral Council, on their par, committed an
unpardonable mistake in assuming to
Ncta,e to the executive whom they would
prefer. The two branches Of the city
government have coequal and joint
authority 10 filing the Offices of
our municipality, aud when there
is On objection on the part OF
either, the other department should give
way in the selection Of suitable neu.
The Msyor should not assume to force
his selections on the General Council;
neither has the General Council the
shadow Of authority to elect man who
has not first been nominated by the
Mayor. The one is az little exousable
as the other. We viii 90 further, and
state that the Mayor has no right to be
heard on the floor Of either house with
out the consent of its members. BE is
DOT Of the legislative sranch Of the gov
ernment. and when it is IN session can
not assume, st pleasure, TO arise and ad-
dress the members thereof.
This may sound little strange to the
ears Of some, bat it is. nevertheless, 10
accordance with the ussges aud practice
OF our republican system. The chatter
has pointed out the way in which he
ehould communicate with the General
Council, and that is iD writing. We are
inclined to make these criticisms from g
jusi appreciation Of order and correct
government.
The appointments are the beat that
could have been made, and the selections
by the Mayor have met the hearty iodorss
nent Of all except those who may have
been ct the time aspirsnts. We ere more
pleased with Mayor johnson, and Bis
mode Of doing bHsioess, as be continpes
10 exercise the functions Of bis Office.
Mr.. D. b. Sheppard was made City
Comptroller. Of whom a more judicious
selection could not have been found.
BE is well-knevn 10 the business com.
muniiy, and is much liked By all Who
have an insight iuto bis character a.
q ssoileman and accountant His
former experiences Sc banker can be
turned 70 sSEantags 10 managing the city
indebtedness.
The next caieer sppsiplei vas oolorel
Charles N. Carroll, wb0 rsesiEs9 the