According to an old story, Thomas Jefferson, always an enthusiastic fan of self-government, questioned George Washington for having supported the idea of two legislative chambers, with the Senate potentially serving as a brake on the judgments of We the People. Washington’s response was simple: “Why did you just now pour that coffee into your saucer, before drinking?” “To cool it,” answered Jefferson, “my throat is not made of brass.” “Even so,” rejoined Washington, “we pour our legislation into the senatorial saucer to cool it.”3 For the whole process of impeachment and removal, the
...more
