THE CONFEDERATE GOVERNMENT AT MONTGOMERY.
io6
change of circumstances and of men, the cardinal points for which theSouth had contended, and on which the separation of sections had occurred,might be lost sight of; so it was decided to impress at once upon thenew government the constitutional amendments regarded as essential.
The committee, of which Mr. Rhettwas chairman, agreed at its firstmeeting that the Constitution ofthe United States should be adopt-ed, with only such alterations asexperience had proved desirable,and to avoid latitudinarian con-structions. Most of the importantamendments were adopted on mo-tion of the chairman. But thelimits of this paper do not permita specific statement of their char-acter and scope. \
The permanent constitution wasadopted on the 11th of March,1861, and went into operation, withthe permanent government, atRichmond , on the 18tli of Febru-ary, 1862, when the ProvisionalCongress expired.
Those men avIio had studied thesituation felt great anxiety aboutthe keeping open of the ports ofthe Confederacy. Much was said
STEPHEN R. MALLORY, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO THE n i. t 1 1 l i. j T • T i.
CONFEDERACY. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH. &11CL pilbllSll6Cl clDOTlt tilG llUlHGCUcl t<3
characteristic delicacy, declined to accept my offerto him.
“ I had intended to offer the Treasury Department toMr. Toombs, of Georgia , whose knowledge .on subjects offinance had particularly attracted my notice when weserved together in the United States Senate . Mr. Barn-well having declined the State Department , and a col-league of his, said to he peculiarly qualified for theTreasury Department , having been recommended forit, 3Ir. Toombs was offered the State Department , forwhich others believed him to be well qualified.
“Mr. Mallory, of Florida, had been chairman of theCommittee on Naval Affairs in the United States Senate ,was extensively acquainted with the officers of thenavy, and for a landsman had much knowledge ofnautical affairs; therefore he was selected for Secretaryof the Navy .
“ Mr. Benjamin, of Louisiana , had a very high reputa-tion as a lawyer, and my acq^^aintance with him in theSenate had impressed me with the lucidity of his intel-lect, his systematic habits and capacity for labor. Hewas therefore invited to the post of Attorney-General.
“ Mr. Reagan, of Texas , I had known for a sturdy, hon-est Representative in the United States Congress , andhis acquaintance with the territory included in the Con-federate States was both extensive and accurate. These,together with his industry and ability to labor, indicatedhim as peculiarly fit for the office of Postmaster-Gen-eral.
“ Mr. Memminger, of South Carolina , had a high repu-tation for knowledge of finance. lie bore an unimpeach-able character for integrity and close attention to duties,and, on the recommendation of the delegation fromSouth Carolina , he was appointed Secretary of the Treas-ury, and x>roved himself entirely worthy of the trust.
“Mr. Walker, of Alabama , was a distinguished mem-ber of the bar of north Alabama , and was eminentamong the politicians of that section. He was earnestlyrecommended by gentlemen intimately and favorablyknown to me, and was therefore selected for the WarDepartment . His was the only name presented from
Editors.
\ One of them, offered by Mr. Rhett, and unani-mously adopted, relates to civil-service reform,and is in the following words :
“ The principal officer in each of the executive depart-ments, and all persons connected with the diplomaticservice, may be removed from office at the pleasure ofthe President. All other civil officers of the executivedepartment may he removed at any time by the Presi-dent or other appointing power, when their services areunnecessary, or for dishonesty, incapacity, inefficiency,misconduct, or neglect of duty; aud when so removed,the removal shall be reported to the Senate , togetherwith the reasons therefor.” t? r t?