The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-05

purer atmosphere would at once surround
him If he would delegate the appointing
power. in the main, to his trusted advisers at
the heads of the departments. We feel sure
that the people would hail with the keenest
satisfaction such determination. They
wOul0 feel that the duty would be better
discharged. They would also know that the
general welfare would be better served by
thus securing the opportunity to the Presi-
dent for the consideration of the important
questions of state. 1t is far more reasonable
that the responsibility for appointments
should rest with those charged with the adj
ministration of the several departments and
bureaus than with the general head of the
Government So long as the President
selects as well as appoints, SO long
will he be held personally answera-
bic for the act. In point of fact he
seldom acts on his individual knowledge
inquiry. The leading and important
positions alone, are thus filled. Why should
he assume a responsibility not warranted by
the facts? Why not let the public under
stand that he acts of necessity on the in
vestigation of others and in almost every
instance serves as the mere machine in COM
misSioning the appointee? Would it not be
better for the country if this were publicly
declared and understood? Would the evil
eye of the resentful and malicious then rest
upon him with its menace of assassination?
Would there be this public and fearful dis
cussion as to the possibility and result OF
a change? Would the status of the next in
order, the Vice President be thus canvaSsed
in complacent anticipation of the dreadful
event already twice realized in our history.
We repeat again, let the President free
himself from this unworthy duty, and en-
trust its discharge to the members
of his official household. They are
presumed to be in harmony with him,
and will be governed, of course, by the gen.
eral views of the policy he adopts. But the
ugly and dangerous factor of personal con-
nection with and responsibility for official
selection will be eliminated, and the tempta-
ton to murder greatly enfeebled, if not
wholly removed.
This whole subject is within the control OF
our Presidents. They may continue to in
vite the vengeance of ''cranks and scoun-
drels' by going on as they have for years
them by removing the melting cause. 1t is
unreasonable to suppose that the assassin of
the Chief Magistrate is actuated strongly by
personal luminosity. Notoriety and the adj
vancement to power of his faction are the
controlling influences. He assumes that the
successor to the dead is to be of his political
coloring-in sympathy with him-and must
therefore, by his elevation be useful. But sup
pose the prime fact were otherwise and the
Vice President in harmony with the chief.
Where, then, do we find the motive? What
advantageous result can follow? Political
ASA ssination then becomes simply cold
blooded murder, and as consequence very
unlikely thing.
The suggestion comes, therefore, that our
Presidents and Vice Presidents should be in
accord respecting matters OF governmental
policy and party welfare. The country has
observed that it has not always been so, and
that as a rule, the second official in the land
hasSarely, if ever, been in intimate public
relations with the first. The country, also,
has never understood why this should be so.
The Vice Presidency is position of vast inn
pOrtance to the country. Its incumbent is
chosen at the same time and by the same
agencies that the Presidency is filled, and
may at any instant be summoned to take the
reigns of government. He should not
be unprepared. Such a call should
find him fully advised of the pol
icy and purposes of his predecessor.
The public welfare demands this, and it is
the reasonable expectation that he will ex-
hibit acquaintance with the new duties as
sumed. Can this be the case, however, if the
opportunity has been denied? The Pres
ident selects his official family at his discre-
ton. He may include or exclude the Vice
President at his pleasure. 1t rests wholly
with him to say whether a successor (made
such by the contingency of death, incapacity
or Impeachment shall be well equipped for
the duties of the Presidency if called on to as
sumo them.
1t is hard, therefore, for the popular under
standing to appreciate the course that ex
cludes the second elective officer of the Gov
eminent from the council of the Chief Elk
ecutive, and vet introduces into its conf.
dences and intimacy those of whom the
people have known but little, perhaps. Such
however, has long been the indefensible
practice. 1t ought to be discouraged If il
were. and harmonious understanding should
be thereby secured between the President
and Vice President, there would be no talk
about assassination. There would be nc
| motive.
MARRIAGE ENGAGEMENTS.
Advice is cheap, but yet one should hest
Toto about l,oct Il on all nccarior,c OIL