New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-06-20


lature iealously guards its independence. open and
honest relations, whcn would therefore crssary be
proper u will allow. Il preserve Tho u t1tiyc and
testrans the executive TO empty recommendations 1t
breaks up into committees is only practice. means Of
investigating facts and performing the druasy OF pre-
pairing business The great guarantee OF publicity suffers
fen this Withdrawal OF the public business into ta com
nittee-roon while The same plan offers facilities
private relations and doubtful influence the part OF
the executive.
The democracy I'm ts dread of executive power, knows
40 better OF weakening it than to divide 1t among
independent officers. 1t fears above ali 'one-man
power" and sacrifices to this fear the efficiency Of the
administration II insists also eectns all officers,
As many a. possible by popular vote although ii Is m
possible that the Of voters can ever form any JndA
meut 10 the qualifications OF candidates for purely Id
iniustIatiye offices. The " ring is dsinct ONEfn"th
OF ths Advancement OF executive power An officer DO
il responsible for his suborduaies never makes 1ns
with Them ring Is only possible between naependyn mt
and coordinate officers.
The excursion Of The notions of the town democracy
10 the administrative service OF the nation excludes
thcTerOY the conception Of greater Or less fitness The
traditional nouon OF pabhc iu.ctOha, as "Hlh tAe
power OF any cHzen, remains Ihe doctrine OF tlha,
ity. which believes IN anywhere else Is supposed
IL he the Great principle of politics presume tal ne
reform arises the iso that the notion OF compare
i've illness OF Uuhtness for Office sius against me doe
ninc ~ equality anu the sincere l"DIn5 "i Mdh} 10
comprehend Wnat IS meant, when 10 s said tIa civil al-
pontncnts ought TO De- made on business principles,
COMES rom The long TRADITION il lOiIes Dtons 20 i
other sphere DsneS, aud ought 10 he controlled
4
10 apply Tie of fitness 90 elected officers, they can
hardly complain that II s lot yet applied 10 appointed
- - 49,. . .....
SOVEREIGNTY OF THE MAJORITY.
TIE sovereignty, m the meantime, remains with the
popular majority In any conception OF the nation,
The sovereignty OF the majority is different thing from
the sovereignty OF the people The sovereignty OF the
people Is an expression Tor the assent Of the nation 10
the course OF national affairs for The power OF the people
10 give direction 10 those affairs. 10 arrest them If
chooses The majority profits by the subilcty OF the con
eepon u the sovereignty OF the people and enjoys power
without the responsibility which always follows any king
however absolute nc may be- The majority cannot be
called 10 account, because like a constitutional king.
il has 10 power but first because it cannot be found
seized and second because, ike aut0clat II viii sub
nit TO DO accountability IL has often been remarked
that tie sovereign people had clothed itself with all the
old prcOgatycs and tenacious OF them any other
dlpoSitary OF political sovereignty over was The SOW
majority will submit 90 criticism. IL Furnishes
criticism IsOre harsy han by any press laws IL IL as
eager O dary any monarch and as Inaccessible TO
harsh truths IL will not be sued for lts debts IL claims
Tie preTOgatye VI deciding Oh its own obligations aud