Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-05-14


Resolved, That the President of the y. States be
requested to lay before the Senate the cause or eau
ses tfst led to the removal of William Clark from the
office OF Treasurer OF the u States"
Mr. President: In Offering this resolution intend
no flsrespect to the President. have often said IN
presence OF THIS body that will not oppose the pre-
sent Executive CT the u States, when believe his
measures 10 DO conducive to the interest and
ty of this Union. Were to act on any o., der nrin
clple would not consider myself faithful Repre-
sentative OF the State have the honor in part to re-
present; but knowing as do, that the Senate nos
sess concurrent power with the President in making
appointments to Office, and when faithful officer is
dismissed under circumstances of nature both ag-
SraVating and cruel, conceive it to be not only orr
right but duty inquire into the causes that led
to his removal.
am unwilling TO believe that such hi oh handed
measure could have been exercised Gurn the recers
OF the Senate, IN less representations touching the
character and qualifications of AIr CLARK had been
made to the President, which were both unGounded
and uawarrlnsabe I, IS difficult to believe that the
president, for mere party purposes, would remove
from Office one who short time had DISCHARGED
the duties Of the station he filed, and in opposition
too, to Tho unsninious opinion o. the Senate so short
~ 1ofo'e ESP, 0ored Gir, tho removal OF Mr. Clark
presents case of peculiar nature I believe no
thing hike it has been before the Serete DURING this
or any previous Session. aud say the least of IT.
bosy "a a.s.ssPeGs to the opinion of this
During the summer Of 1926 Mr. CLARK v,nz ar,
P'i"teo 1feasUFer, by the late President, to supply
'acahcy tiot mao occurred during the recess of the
ssanate lie continued to fJilhl the duties of his Of
fee, TO the entire satisfaction Of all who transacted
business with him. no complaint was known TO ex
st; a! the meeting Of Congress, and after the re-
li.t OF me fresdential election was known through
OUT the U States, q majority of the Senate was
favorable to, and had supported the President .ect
Mr.. Adams still being in the exercise of tbs duties
OF his office, on the iIth December submitted the
nomination OF Mr. Clark to the consideration of the
Senate II passed through all the ordinary forms of
examination; was referred to the Committee ON III
1ance, majority of whom were opposed to the then
I president. The committee, however, took differ
ent view OF the subject from that since acted on by
the present Executive they believed that an honest
expression OF opinion which is guaranteed to us all
BY the Constitution of our happy country OUGHT not
20 be disqualification for Office; and am warranted
IN saying this because it was MS we'll known them o
1t IS now, that Mr. CLARK had expressed opinions IA
VoFnbie to the election of Mr. Adams. Yet sir with
shese facts before the committee they reported the
ornic ton .r copfrniation and with the inowledco
that the Senate mad o. the political sentiments Of the
nominee, the nomination confirmed Diahout dis
se':tsn eolce Then, if at eli, wo, y have been tho
lime to have raised objections to the appntrnet of
or. Clark and to decide whether free expression,
o. opinion was 30 be considered as dsnuaJ;6caiia
Tor office butsnot being considered bv be Snnste
the president hos shown mark Of dsrssract tn ise
wen known sentiment, by not allowing two months
to elapse after the adjournment OF the Senate Lef
ne drove Mr. Clark from the Office to which he Ind
aeen appointed, without cause, and, as I contend,
contrary to the principles Of tho Constitution.
" men Inc political standing of persons appoiuted
TO oice IS SO frequently brought in revievy bsforo
ls body it may be auss for me to s;ate that the
person Who was 50 uncereInoniously removed forn
the situation OF Treasurer BY the President common
cea his political career in Pennsylvania as a repub
can OF the Jefferson school, and for period of more
IMAM twenty years, which le spent in the service of
ms native State, has not been known to dcvote fr
these principles always giving free full and honor
able support to every Republican Administration ,gs
cave had IN the country. If it be necesss rv to sbe
the estimation in which he was held bv his f.llor
citlzens, brief sketch of his official If. VIII b,
illustrate that fact. When first knew Mr.. Ciark
.e heid The Office OF Associate Judge in one OF tho
western counties Of Pennsylvania. How lone bc
performed 16e duties Of that station am not inform
euiout can assert without fear Of contradiction
mar De hed that Office with the appreciation Of ali
VINO KncW HIN, or had occasion to transact bnsinees
with him. "NSiAiesS
~ me same time hIr CLARK held the Office of Bri
go'e inspector; situation which made it his duty
"a any sudaeh emergency, to organize and march
ne militia TO any Poipt where danger threatened or
tnelr services might be requreJ and in this latter
SITUATION 5 ne particularly distinguished himself in
= shorty inter the surrender of our army on The
northwestern frontier.
"e are SIR emphatically military nation: When
gay td!s mean to DC understood in relative sense.
anu ID Jus'catIon OF this position let me only rec,r
!" "he' 50 oiIen lakes place in this body:-W
d nomination IS taken up for consideration sbouJd
e happen tnat The nominee has served in any militia
~ capacity 10 the last war, IT is only necessary IN
near she statement made that he was gallant officer
'--oha you snow how swinEoingIv it roeg phr,nnn