New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-26
POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE.

LIMITATION NEEDED IN THE CONSTITUTION.
To the EditOr OF The Tribune.
SIR: Being a constant reader of your valua-
bic Journal and convinced that it is conducted in the
real interest Of reform and good government venture
to bring attention to reform which is regarded by many
a. Of vital importance to the stability Of govern
refer TO Senators and Members Of Congress re-
cevng civil Offices under the United States during the
term in which they have served rs Senators
or Representatives. As this reform will render neces
sary an amendment TO the Constitution think 1t will be
well to have the subject a4dtated and discussed.
il must be known to thinking who have
watched the progress Of political events for the
past few years that there has grown up
strong organization among tho o6ice-holdcrs OF the
present Administration which seeks extend the powers
Of the Executive and establish what 1t calls strong
Central Government 1t follows that such a change
would the expense Of either both OF the other
two great and Independent constitutional powers and
destroy the harmony Of the Government instituted
under present Constitution However, by this organ
izaton the Constitution regarded little out of date
The Force bill" was exponent Of this doctrine and its
through the House clearly illustrates the danger
for it, at least eight ten think have been appointed
civil offices under the United states, and II there had
been four or five more rcpuliaed Senators Senators
falling to be reeced) Is question but that this
bill would lave passed the Senate received the imme
date sanction OF the Executive and become law, and
established The President of the United states would
have been invested with an almost absolute power
over the rights of the people and the press
His power would have been as absolute as
George ILL., strove hard to gain from the
English people during his reign Removing the Senate
and House from the influence OF Executive patronage
would tend prevent this kind Of legislation and pre-.
the equilibrium Of the three great constitutional
powers. Gen. Jackson in ting upon this subject IN
1925 says But if this change In the Constitution should
rot be obtained and important appointments continue TO
devOlve the representatives in Congress II requires
no depth OF thought be convinced that corruption Will
become the order Of the day, and that under the garb OF
conscientious sacrifices tn establish reccdens Tor the
public good evils OF serious importance to the freedom
and prosperity Of the Republic NAV arise IL Is
through this channel that the people may expect To Dc
attacked in their constitutional sovereignty and where
tyranny may well he apprehended to spring up IN
some favorable emergency" II the action OF the
Executive and the House during the last session
of Congress has not proved that Gen Jackson
words were prophetic, I am much mistaken In 1873,
Senator Benton introduced in the Senate the following
resolution looking amendment of the Constitution
to wit "NO Senator or Representative shall be APP
pointed any civic Office place or em0ument under me
authority Of the United states until the OF the
Pre- sda In which such person shall have served
as Senator or Representative" The resolution was
never pressed to passage and AZ have said before
such an amendment can never pass unless the people
take into their hands and compel their represent
i;ivfs to fulfill their wishes MCkiNLEf'
Baltimore May II, 1871.