Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-07
IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
SPEECH OF AIR. MARRs
OF Pennsylvania, IN Erec,lfire Session, on the
f,JI,,,;oo Resol,,fiOn

OF Perlns albania, an Erecdtre SeSstOn, ON Me
follo,cing Resolution.
"RssoIusd, That the President Of the United
States be requested to lay before the Senate the
cause or causes that led to the removal of Jfiliam
Clark from the office Of Treasurer of the United
States"
Ma. President: In offering this resolution,
intend no disrespect to the President. have Of
ten said in the presence of this body, that will
not oppose the present Executive of the United
States. when believe his measures to be condu-
Give to the interest and prosperity OF this Union.
Were to act on anv other principle, would not
consider myself a faithful Representative Of the
State have the honor in part to represent; but
knowing as do, that the Senate possesses con-
current power with the President in making APP
pointments to office, and when a faithful officer
is dismissed under circumstances OF nature both
aggrayating and cruel, conceive it to be not on
ly our right, but duty to inquire into the caus-
es that led to his removal.
am unwilling to believe that such high hand
ed measure would have been exercised during the
recess of the Senate unless representations touch
ing the character and qualifications of Mr.. Clark
had been made to the President, which were both
unfounded and understandable. 1t is difficult to
believe that the President, for mere party pur-
poses, would remove from office one who so short
a time had discharged the duties of the station
he filled, and in opposition, too, to the unanimous
opinion of the Senate, so shortly before express
ed. Sir, the removal of Mr.. Clark presents a
case of peculiar nature. believe nothing like
it has been before the>Senate, during this, or any
previous session; and. to say the least of 1t, it
shows an evident disrespect to the opinion of this
body. Let US revert to the history of the case.
During the summer of 1928, Mr.. Clark was
appointed Treasurer, by the late President, to
supply vacancy that had occurred during the
recess of the Senate. He continued to fulfil the
duties of his Office to the entire satisfaction of all
who transacted business with him; no complaint
was known to exist At the next meeting of Con-
sress and after the result of the Presidential cleo
ton was known throughout the United States,
majority of the Senate was favorable to, and had
supported the President elect. Mr.. Adams still
being in the exercise of the duties OF his Office. on
the II tn December, submitted the nomination Of
Mr.. Clark to the consideration of the Senate. 1t
passed through all the ordinary forms of examina-
ton, was referred to the committee on Finance,
a majority of whom were opposed to the then Pre-
sident. 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 air by the Constitution of our happy coun-
try, ought not to be disqualification for officer
and am warranted in saving this, because it was
as well known then as it is now, that Mr.. Clark
had expressed opinions favorable to the re-elec-
ton of Mr.. Adams Yet, sir, with these facts
before the committee, they reported the nominal
ton for confirmation: and with the knowledge
that the Senate had of the political sentiments of
the nominee, the nomination was confirmed Di'h-
oct a aisseating Uoiee. Then, if at all, would
have been the time to have raised objections to
the appointment of Mr.. Clark, and to decide
whether free expression of opinion was to be
considered as disqualification for office; but
not beng so considered by the Senate, the Presi-
dent has shown mark of disrespect to its well
known sentiment, by not allowing two months to
elapse, after the adjournment of the Senate, be-
fore he drove Mr.. Clark from the Office to which
he had been appointed. without cause, and, as |
contend. contrary to the principles of the Con-
stitutiOn.
When the political standing of persons appoint
ed to Office is so frequently brought in review be-
fore this body, it may not be amiss for to state
that the person who was so unceremoniously re-
moved from the situation of Treasurer by the Pre-
sident, commenced his political career in Penn
sylvania, as republican of the Jefferson school,
and for period Of more than twenty years.
which he spent in the service Of his native State,
has not been known to deviate from these princi-
Piles, always giving free, full, and honorable
support to every Republican Administration we
have had in the country fit be necessary to
show the estimation in which he was held by his
fellow citizens, brief sketch Of his official life
W ill best illustrate that fact. When first knew
MIR. Clark he held the Office of Associate Judge
IN one OF the western counties of PENNSYLVANIA.
How long he performed the duties of that station
/ am not informed; but can assert without fear
of contradiction, that he filled that office with the
appreciation of all who knew him, OF had occasion
to transact business with him.
At the same time, Mr.. Clark held the Office of
Brigade Inspector; a situation which made it his
duty, onany Sudden emergency, to organize and
march the militia to any point where danger
threatened, or their services might be requi&d;
and in tais latter situation he particularly distin-
guished himselfn 1912; shortly after the surren-
der of our army on the Northern frontier.
We are, sir, empha,ically military nation:
When say this, mean to be understood in