Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-05-03
3 4,a x,.n,h.r from n. Carolina knew

siufos nation, and why sucn information
was withheld from the committee! But
lat this time these enquiries could not De
made of all the committee, because one
half had left the citys
Ifthis matter was not brought forward
whose fault was it 1t was IN the power
| q any member to make motion at any
lime. that would have involved the us
cussion of the merits ofthe report. those
yery members we're to blame, who were
dissatisfied with the course the Chairman
|nursued in calling up the report, when
tbs Sneaker read the order Of the Gay On
that subject !; for to his knowledge me
chairman had called it twice, and Oh
neither occasion would the mouse take
M the sabiect--and he presumed because
the more pressing concerns ct the nation
n,ore before the house. Ii that was the
raason. or hatever reason, 1T IS impos-
sibIe, said Mr. J. that jactiee Can be done
to the parties concerned, at this time =
MIR could members express their senti-
nents, which he was DESTROYS to do az
fbe close O. the session. This view alone
would prevent him from voting to take
iup the subject now. Some observations
had been made in relation to, three Of
the clerks being dismissed. Mr.. John
sen said, if the necessity existed Tor such
dismissal, he regretted that necessity. Ii
they were dismissed without necessity,
he would still more regret the clrcum-
stance. because, deserved or not, the
dismissed clerks would, no doubt, feel
Ii in relation to their avocations. But,
NJ. Johnson said, WHO was the judge an
this occasion 2 Who had the power OF
appointing clerks III the various execa-
tive officers, from the foundation OF the
government ? Was 1t Congress, or the
heads of Department ? Would 1t be pro-
per for Congress to appoint the various
clerks /? II SO, they would then have
the right of dismissal Have We ever had
an enquiry into tho causes OF the dlsmis-
sal of any officer OF the governments by
the g ecctige.-or tn disIDi.sal OF any
| clerk by the head Of departments lie
believed no such case could be adduced,
| of course. Mr.J. said whether he con-
sidered these clerks worthy Q! confidence
or not, he was net the Judge OF their
continuance in employment It was the
Post Master General. But, say gentle
linen. shall clerks be turned out Tor giving
|evidence in an enquiry into the condnc
Iof the Department to which they belong
Mr.. Johnson said no, they should not ae
turned out for speaking the truth but II
Ithey made false accusations, It was with
the head of the Department to Judge OK
the If conduct. AMI retain them II Glsuiss
Them, as he thought proper. In saying
Iihis. Mr.. Johnson did not intend 10
Igiyc any opinion on tie case, because the
Sneaker considered ii cut OF order; but
he wanted that opportunity, whenever
Esine-woaid adm;t~-nor did he wish to
say any thing 10 injuTe the dismissed
clerks. He did not know them; he
wished thei;. condition could have been
othe wise he lad 10 feeling OF hostility
to them. But it had been SAID that those
jcierks mad been dismissed while the In
hesitation vas progressing, and because
Ithey had made the accusations. Mr.
llChnson said the fact was otherwise, as
to the pendency ofthe investigation. It
! was a fact that the investigation was
closed previously to their dismissal after
:their dismissal he understood the clerks
were indignant, and requested TO be
brought before the committee again, they
were brought forward, and also had ac-
cess to the Post Office bcohs, ard the Use
of other witnesses, and lie understood
| that the additional testimony had 6eai
taken and reported by the committee
land vas now before the house.
| In relation to the dismissal OF Clerks,
this was the principle the house would
|adopt that is to say--the house woulGI
leuquire whether any imposition had beer
lpractised to make them conceal CT sup
lnress the truth. Il b,ibe. or any re-
Ward should be offered to clerk, or sEy
other witness, TO conceal The truth. or
suggest a falshood, such act being proven
would be sufficient to consisn such OIL
icer to infamy aud to dismissal or tht
iact that clerk was threatened with dis
]nissaI. if he told the truth, such a charge,
from respectable authority, wouhl de-
Inland examination. lie should sotc for
Ia standing committee in the recess. Or
l(luring the session, either, to make en-
Iouiries, he,t TO such fact had been proven,
lant no such suggestion had been made.
| Il had been stated that the clerks told
The committee that they under. tuoa they
- L. ~, a:rn,:ocnd q nR iuhen Iss,ni &