Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-14
Tn. Consre...nen and tho spo,,..

The question as 10 now iar con
cressman should interfere in the distri-
button of Federal patronage within his
district has evoked considerable discus
sion in the press.
II has not been as free from person.
alities rs it should have been. For one
man favors the utmost stretch OF the
mowers of congressman in this matter
as he has something to hope for from
his NJ. c.; and another is DESTROYS that
congressman should be confined strictly
TO their legitimate spheres. because he
has nothing to hope for from his NJ. G.
And so arguments pre- and co" are
sought to be discredited.
If upon principle or wise expe-
pediency congressman should be in
trusted to any extent with the appoint
ing power, we are ready to render unto
Caesar the things that are Cssar's;
but if the contrary, then we are ready
to insist as far as in US lies that the
President on the one hand shall be free
from dictation, and the people on the
other shall be free from oppression.
In the question as to the proper prin-
ciple for the distribution OF patronage
the people are vitality interested. For
the patronage Of this Government is
mighty engine, which may be wleldedto
the impairment Of their rights aud the
destruction Of their Liberties. The peo-
pie cannot throw too many safeguards
about it.
The one great argument upon which
those fayoring congressional interior
ence rests is that congressman must be
better acquainted with the character OF
the applicant and the wishes Of the
community than the President can be.
The simple answer to all this is that
the trainers Of the Constitution thought
otherwise, and that the people that
adopted the Constitution agreed with
the trainers Of it. Had the statesmen
that framed the Constitution and thepeo-
pie that adopted it considered that con-
gressmen were better qualified to select
the officials Of the Government, the Con-
stitution would have so provided instead
of being so stringent in its insistance
that the legislative and executive de-
partments should be kept separate.
But how is the President to know the
character Of the applicant and the
wishes Of the community? That is for
the President to determine. Certainly,
if he must delegate his power he can
find a class yet nearer to the people,
and therefore better qualified than con-
gressmen. A county judge, a member
Of the Legislature, or any other county
officer has better opportunities of
knowing either than congressman.
1t is as impossible as it would be
wrong to hold congressman response
bic for a mischievOus appointment. 1t
would be impossible. for he would justly
claim that the appointment was not his,
but the Presidents. And it would be
unjust and wrong, for member Of Con-
greSs might be most excellent legisla-
tor with all the talents of a Daniel
Webster or Henry Clay, and yet the
most impractical selector Of men for
office.
A congressman is never chosen with
view to his qualifications for selecting
men to Office.
The Richmond Dispatch calls atten-
ton TO the provision in the ciyil-seryice-
reform law which expressly inhibits
any weight being given to the recon-
mendations of congressman.
THAT no recommendation Of any person
who shall apply for Office or place under the
provisions Of this act which may be given
by any Senator or member OF the House OF
Representatives except as to the character |
or residence OF the applicant shall be re- |
ceived or considered by any person con- !
cerned in making any examination or APP
pOintment under this act"
1t is true that the reform act only
applies to small number Of clerk
ships, but President Cleveland is
pledged to carry out this law in its
spirit and in its letter. There can be
no doubt but that he will carry out its
spirit in making appointments not
strictly within its letter.
The surrender Of the President of
the appointing power of Government to
the congressman would be serious in
fringement of the Constitution, full of
evil and mischief; an error into which
we have every reason to hope the pres
ent Administration will not fall
Winchester Times.