The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-11-17
SENATORIAL UsURPATION.

The United States Senate was insti-
tuted as kind of intermed diary between
:he Executive and Legislative Depart
ments Of the Government Its functions
accordingly partake somewhat of the
prerogatiVes of both. 1t Ia coordinate
with the House of Representatives In
legislation, and with the President in
The matter Of Executive appointments
to office and the ratification OF treatias.
But in both Of these Executive func-
tions 1t is simply advisory and confirm
atory; it can not take the Initiative in
either case. The President must first
act, and then submit his acts to the con-
sideration OF the Senate for confirmation
or disapproyal. II approved, the act s
ratified and confirmed; il disapproved,
1t 10 rejected and becomes null and void.
These are high prerogatlyes, and their
judicious exercise is Of the utmost mo-
meht to the welfare of the Common
wealth. No man would willingly see
them ourtailed or suspended. But it is
we'll known that practice has grown
up in the Senate whereby the exercise
Of these prerogatives has become In the
highest degree detrimental to the public
service. This practice is for the Sena-
tors to nominate candidates for appoint
ment to Executive Offices 10 the Presi-
dent, for him to nominate them back to
the Senate for confirmation. And should
the President see tit to nominate on his
own motion, without consulting Sena.
tors from the State in which his nominee
lives, the Senate, on objection by such
Senator, agree to reject the President's S
nomination.
BY this mode OF procedure 1t is easy
to see that the Senate draws to itself al
most the entire control over the Execu-
tive patronage Of the Government. This
was never intended by the Constitution.
This perversion OF the merely advisory
function wherewith they are clothed by
the Constitution is usurpaton of Ex-
ecutive prerogatiyes at once dangerous
to the public and degrading to the Pres
idency. Under such practice the Sen
atoriaI function, instead OF being ad.
Visory, becomes dictatorial. And Sen
ators looking more to their own politi.
cal advancement than to the :public
good, thus use the Executive patronage
Of the Government to reward their own
personal retainers for services either
past or promised, and I'LL the Govern.
ment Offices within their respective
States with men devoted to their inter.
ssts, however unified for the duties OF
the office TO which they are appointed.
This is great evil. 1t has been grad.
ually growing for o series OF years, un.
til Senators have come to claim it as a
right annexed to their Senatorial digni.
ty They have even come to threaten
the President, that, unless this right is
conceded to them, they will oppose him
in the Senate on all questions affecting
his Administration. This is the very
essence OF tyranny: 1t 10 exercising
power without responsibility. They de
msnd the appointme nts; and when bad
they throw back the responsibility OF
the President. They appropriate tt
themselves all there is Of good. and cas-
all the evil upon the hands Of the Exec
utive. This is power that no man mol
any body or men ough. to possess un
der constitutional government.
That Senators should properly scru
tinize the personal character and fitness
OF persons nominated to them for ofiact
BY the President, 10 perfectly right ant
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