The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-03-16
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.

The New York Herald, of March II, con-
cludes an editorial essay on Executive respon-
sibility, etc., with the following paragraph:
It was the original plan of the Federal Con-
vention that the President should be elected
by Congress That method was twice rejected
and twice readopted, and it would have been
better had it finally been adhered to. The
vacillation and shifting was between the cleo
toral colleges and Congress. and at the last
moment the Convention decided in favor of
the electoral college system, which has proved
so idle and abortive. change in the direc-
ton of the English system would necessarily
vest the choice of the Cabinet, either directly
or indirectly in Congress; but, quite apart
from the merits of the English system Of
prompt accountability, it would be an i'm
provement to go back to the original plan Of
the Federal Convention and elect the Pfesi-
dent by the legislative department
The convention chose wisely. Their object
was to form government of three depart
ments, altogether distinct each from the
others, besides being as nearly Independent as
public interests would admit. They wanted
q legislature in two branches-one popular,
representing the people of sections Of States;
the other governmental, or representing
States as governments. They wanted their
executive to be elected, not by Congress nor
directly by the people; not BY popular ma
jority, but by majority in a system of cleo
ton that at once recognized the rank Of
States by relative numbers of voters and the
equality of States irrespective of numbers.
They gave each State two Senators and they
gave each State two electors at large, being
careful to recognize the equality of the States
in constituting their executive department, as
they did in the legislative, giving effect to
numbers in both, and to equal rank Of the
States in both. They seemed to dread mob
ocratic tendencies, the tyranny OF the larger
States over the smaller, and the still worse
tyranny Of sectional or popular msjorities.
They wanted to prevent their President from
debating to Congress and from forming per-
sonal party in either house, and they wanted
him at the same time to be Independent
enough to do right in his official action. They
did not try to make him superior to the legis-
lative department, nor did they desire him to
be subject to the whims and caprices of
auctuating majorities.
They wanted Chief Magistrate to execute
the laws Of Congress and to WELD such execu-
tive force in men and means as Congress
might see fit from time to time to place at his
disposal; they did not want chief ruler who
would be obliged to act as his own chief
cabinet officer to 60 on the floor
Of the House or Senate to plead for the
passage Of measures proposed by him, and to
resign his Office as soon as he might find a
of opinion between himself and q
majority Of members or Senators. Such q
system would soon develop into anarchy, and
would be attended by . perpetual succession
Of intrigues against the Executive. Each
election Of President by Congress would be
scene of disorder and violence. A base bold
millionaire would bid high in brides for the
electoral votes Of members, and the odious
money power would at once become para.
mount. There would be far less stability |
N governmental policy, and all check
upon hasty, crude, violent and extravagant
legislation would be removed. The election
If President by Congress for such time as he
night concur with the majority in opinion,
would al once take from the Executive all
liberty Of thought and action. It would be
practically an absorption Of the executive
INTO the legislative department, which would
80 speedily followed by the absorption of
he Senate into the popular branch, by per-
petual changes in policy, and by an indis- |
,riminate tinkering and meddling with the
fundamental law. Msjorities would rule in
,very instance, leaving minorities no shield
rom their tyranny. Our system Of Federal
md local governments would not endure the
strain of such trial.
Belknap, the Fallen!
A-.:,srr hovo XVo1r oc1ov uo0rv,inn fOnn6 |