The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1881-12-22
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A swlEfINo HfrOHM rfOPOsLD
I'm the United States Senate Tuesday last,
Mr.. Voorhees, called up and Ind referred to
the judiciary Committee q. joint resolution
introduced by him as an amendment 10 the
constitution, which, II u should ever be-
come part Of that great instrument,
would produce the greatest reform In our
pohtical institutions. that has taken place
within the last twenty-five years, the result
of the civil war not. excepted 1t provides
in short that all Postmasters, Revenue Col
lectors, Judges, Marshas and Attorneys
ofthc United States District Courts shall bc
elected by the people. The first and most
Obvious reflection arising with reference to
this matter is that the existence
of such provision in the constr
tuition would destroy the last ves'-
ige of the theory or practice wherever
they may prevail that this is other now
than n consolidated national government.
1t is little singular from its unquestioned
tendency IN this respect that Mr.. Voor-
hees, who has always been regarded as lean
ing decidedly towards States Rights,
should become the author of the resolution
II is true that the power OF the people
would, and through them 1.-The States. be-
come greatly increased by snch measures
and the patronage of the Federal Executive
correspondingly decreased, but when the
multitude of officers, those too, with whom
the people have the closest re-
lationship and who represent the
Judicial and Executive departments
OF the general governments, are given over
TO and made dependent upon the masses,
that idea of separate and distinct nu-
thority, that something outside OF and
above the States and the populace, has re-
ceiyed its death blow. 1t will then become
more than ever recognized fact that 1t Is
government ..'by the people" as well as "for
the people" 1t will go Without saying
that the more closely the people and the
administration are drawn together the
more prevalent will become the sentiment
Of nationality, an indissoluble Union. How
ever, as an overwhelming majority o.
this country, as well as the Tor
tunes Of war, have settled beyond
successful controversy the fact OF the
perm and nationality OF the Gov
eminent the resolution of Mr.. Voorhees,
cannot be objected to from its tendency to
solidify and unity. And we apprehend
that it is likely to prove, on the other hand
popular proposition from the increased
power and privileges it throws into the
hands of the citizen. We have nothing to
do with the diplomatic corps and are, CT
ought to be perfectly willing that the gov
eminent at Washington should have full
control of the same, with one limitation on
ly, that tried and reputable diplomats should
be appointed and none others. Nor do the
people care who makes the army and navy
appointments, but if we are bound forever
to the government at Washington with the
rights of secession and notification denied
under any circumstances, and we deprecate
both, we ought, certainly, as people, TO
have more power by ballot in the regila-
ton OF public affairs. 1t has been repeatedly
said, and wisely too, that our danger lies in
the rapidly increasing power of the
Executive. In fact as the overs of the
executive are multiplied in that same ratio,
the government, whether Monarchy or Re-
public, approaches absolutism. despotism.
The President of the United
States to-day has more author
ity and influence in the administration of
the nations afairs, than has the Queen of
England in her own dominions, and over
100000 offices are within his gift. And il
must be borne in mind, too, that the MAORI
ty of these offices, as'we have before said
are those with which the people come most
directly in contact and through which the
most important and private affairs Of the
people are directed and in the filling ofwhich
they have not word to say, except very re-
motley in the choice Of Presidential cleo
tors, foisted upon them always by
party conventions. 1t seems TO us incrcdi-
BILE that any State or citizen should oppose
any movement looking to the correction OF
this defect in our political organism, or
disposition to crrtail the enormous and
dangerous powers Of the executive. And
this, as we understand it, is the real pur-
pose and would prove the practical sienifi-
canoe Of the resolution of Mr.. VOORHEES,. 1t
would admit the people still further irto
the management of the government and
their most vital interests, and it would take
away from the President powers not prop
erly belonging to him, and invaria-
bly, exercised for the good of 1.-THE
party" and as a means for par
tisan or personal service. The "spoils sys-
tenn in the United States is disgrace
nothing more or less, but the trouble has
been how TO correct it. 1t Is useless TO talk
about civil service reform. The maxim
ito the. victor belongs the spoils" has be-
come too attractive as an article Of faith 10
American politics 70 be dethroned by cries
of civil service reform. SO long as parties
remain and the reigning power has The
right 20 make appointments, such
as We have referred 20. the ma
clincry Of the national government
will be manipulated for parfi
san and improper uses Mr.. VOORHEES, has
struck the corrective. The only remedy Il
by giving the matter OF appointments. ~
far as possible. over TO the ballots Of the
masses Some will object 10 this process
perhaps, on the ground that judicial officers
should be appointed and rendered indie
pendent Of tbs Solicitations Of the popular
pulse. This would al be well enough II
the appointing power were controlled by
considerations Of fitness and merit rather
than by party olitics but as II Is, II Il mfr
itciy better that The majority Of each CON-
munity 10 be affected should select, In &C
cordance with true Republican principles,
their own postmasters, revenue collectors,
United States District Judges and Aftor-
neys and msrshals. They have q right In
deed that men sointinstsly connected with