Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-05-29

Jney be Ffliedf
Editor Of Star. There 10 now before the Ter
ritorisl Legislature an important issue In the
question: How shall be filled the positions
which are TO be vacated on the 1st proximo,
when the old municipal charters expfreP" In
the determination of this question 1t should be
remembered that the places to be filed are al,
In their character and purposes, purely ex-
eeutive In the very nature Of all govern
ment. II unity and vigor be desired in
the Executive-unity Of action and purpose
in the Administration OF its functions-all
il Inferior members should be subordi-
mated and made responsible to the head or
chief executive. Hence, should not all the sub
ordinate members ofour Territorial government
be appointed by the Governor, its chief execu-
BILE to him? That Is the plan Of the Constitution
of the United States In referen to the national
executive. The Secretary Of the Treasury, all
nue. and customs, all the different members of
the executive, are appointed by the President.
They are thus made responsible to him. He, in
and in no other way can there be proper
subordination or responsibility in the adminis-
trstion Of the executive functions
All will remember the mischievous cross-pur-
poses, and consequent scandal and injury to
our people, growing out Of the old system of
electing these subordnaee executive officers.
At one time We had Register refusing to sign
the checks Of the Mayor-the chief executive
for school purposes, causing no small confusion
in the municipal government, and no little
Injury to parties interested. Again, We had
even for the payment Of the just debts of the
corporation, practically stopping the wheels OF
government producing Q widespread scandal,
and much Si, suffering among many Of the munici,
cOnf1ict, the responsibility was Of course with
the Mayor, not with the Register; yet the Regis
defeat the measures of the chief executive, and
render his administration q mischievous farce.
Nor was there, under the old charters, any
remedy for this malcontent action. The Regis
ter. being an elective officer, the Mayor had no
power to coerce or command him. He was
practically Independent Of the Mayor, who was
in consequences really subject to the whins or
designs of q dsaffected subordinate. These sub
ordinates, to be sure, could be impeached; but
IL they had q majority OF either Council Board
in sympathy with them they laughed at i'm
parchment, and continued with IMMUNITY to
render the municipal administration q misera-
bic abortion, defeating the measures Of the
Mayor, and even overwhelming him with NOR
tihcation and obloquy.
Surely IL Is not the purpose OF our legislators
to continue in cur new Territory such an abor-
ton Of government. Have any OF its members
would sustain them In such q purpose; and IL
they did. how long do they suppose that Gov
ernor Cooke, or any man OF equal character
and ability, would consent to be the executive
of such q government. Manifestiy, in the crea-
ton Of the new Territory, it Was the leading
purpose Of Congress to rid our people Of the
cipsi eovernments. Il had no notion OF perpet t-
uating the old abortion under the territorial
form, but designed to institute real, thorough,
and practical reform In the rule Of our District.
Thus, while investing our people with the power
of self-government by the election Of the lower
branch Of the Territorial Legislature-with
ns s OF and
fare Of the District without 6rst consulting it;
Congress also labored to secure for the execu-
tive branches OF our new government unity and
m IN N orta fnry Ip%a
ligent and effective executive administration
chiefly depended the success o. our territorial
experiment Hence Congress invested, nomi-
nor, the appointment Of Secretary Of the Terri
tory, the Board Of Public Works, the Board of
Health, and the upper House Of the Legisla-
bers Of the executive branch Of the government;
they are thus, through the President, made re-
sponsible to the Governor. None can doubt,
therefore, Ii also intended that the other execu-
tive me mbers should be appointed by the Gov
erDor. Congress knew that In no other way
could an harmonious and effective administra-
ton be secured, and this 1t evidently believed
would be apparent TO the Intelligence of the
Legislature.
The Governor, through the President, is made
Tnssponsie,e to Congress for his administration:
to hold him responsible for the action OF men,
though subordinates, yet over whom he has no
Official control? Would ii not be as absurd as
unjust? 1t cannot be argued that these differ
ent subordnates, If elective, may be made re-
movable by impeachment. The Legislature will
sit but sixty days in the year, and the impeach-
ment OF single official may be made to con-
sumo most of that time, thereby defeating all
leg Station upon important affairs Of the Terri
tor. impeachment itself would therefore be
heavy infection. Besides, during the Tong reces es
OF the Legislature, the widest confusion in the
government, and extensive injury to ouD Terri
toria interests, as in the past, may be caused by
conflicts OF authority raised by malcontent sub
ord. mates, for which Impeachment, even If Or ac-
ucable, would furnish no adequate remedy.
Clearly, then, If the Legislature wishes to per-
feet the designs OF Congress in the creation of
the Territory-if il wishes to establish a benefi.
cent government for the District,-to abolish
the old conflicts of authority, and their conse-
1uent scandal and mischief, and to establish an
harmonious and effective administra alton of our
territorial atairs,-if it wishes to work q real,
thorough, and practical reform In our govern
ment-it will, by investing in the Governor the
appointment Of his official subordinates, model
our territorial upon tue plan of the national
executive government, securing unity strength,
harmony, ana effective vigor in its chief, and a
due responsibility among its several members.
Washington, May %, 1871. RADICAL,