The power of appointing to office is
one of a character the most delicate and
responsible. Tlio appointing power is
even more exposed to bo led Into error ;
with anxious solicitude to select ihc most
trustworthy for official station, I cannot
bo supposed to possess a personal knowl
edge of the qualifications of every appli
cant. I deem it therefore proper in this
most public manner, to invite on the part
of tho senate, a jnst scrutiny into the
character ami pretensions of every person
I may bring to their notice, in thu regular
form of a nomination for office. Unless
persons every way trustworthy arc em
ployed in the public service, corruption
afld irregularity will inevitably follow. I
'shall, with the greatest cheerfulness ac
quiesce in the decision of that body, and
regarding it a wisely constituted to nid
the executive department in the perfor
mancc ol tins delicate duty, I shall look
to iis consent and advice as given only in
furtherance of tho best interests of the
country. I shall, also, at the earliest
proper occasion, invite the attention of
congress to such measures as, in my
judgment, will be best calculated to regu
late and control the executive power in
reference to this vitally important subject.
.' ;v ''nt !:.
