Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-01
THURSDAY, MARCH l, 1889.


White. of,Florida. Some specimens we subjoin:
Mr.. Branch said that the object he had in view
in presenting the resolution had been to present
TO the House and to the Nation information init.
mately connected with very important subject.
He desired to repress no information relating to
it The object of the gentleman who had offer
ed the amendment was too manifest: 1t was to
make an attack upon an administration OF De-
partment that never yet had shrunk and never
would shrink from scrutiny.
Mr.. White said, in reply, that he had not the
slightest desire To embarrass the passage OF the re-
solution: on the contrary. he was much pleased
tina, il had been brought forward. Whether it
was design ed as an attack upon the present very
competent Head Of the Navy Department, he did
not know; but he certainly had no objection to
the production OF the Information called for; mel
thrr did he know whether IL was intended tn make
the result Of the inquiry the basis fur future le
sislaIion ON the subject referred Ia: he had no
dorbt, however, that Congress would continue to
Gu .ivate its plantations of Live Oak timber. He
be ,.yed the gentleman from North Carolina
woad be greatly disappointed in the information
when he came 10 see II.
An a,rnt had been employed by the last Ad-
mi2i,' alton, when Mr. Southland was at the head
Of r,, Department., in reference TO the presrrva
Ii - i this timber, with a salary Of 1000 to
81 200, bu, had been discontinued b. his sue
ccs>or, on the ground Of doub ~ - the power
of the Department to emplnv such an an agent,
and also on the ground that his services were use
less; bat now the Department had seven such
agents, at . salary OF $4,000 each, with assist
ants and vessels, the total expense vt which
amounted 10 little if any thing short Of S45.0 900
wear. Mr.. ". observed, that there was now
M COMMITTEE of Reirenshment in the House, or
Al
WAT he wished MAS, that it should be decided
whether the services rendered by this body OF
agents were such as 20 Justify Congress in per-
mi',ina the President ut the United States Or the
Navy Department. To appoint, by virtue Ut a
mere letter. seven public agents, each with a sa-
Iarv equal TO that of the Governor Of Florida. -
The whole service could IS well, and better, be
accomplished by the United States Sur, eyors, OF
if the Collector should be forbidden to permit
any vessel 10 clear with Cargo of timber until
the captain should produce evidence that it had
been cut IN private lands, and not those of the
United States He did not seek to embarass
the gent eraan's resolution.
NJ Branch said. that he trusted the House.
percei,ing tina; the Department over which ne hat,
la ely presided. was openly charged with sane.
tuning abuses. wonld indulge him with an oppnr
tuu,y to defend himself waen the attack was
made.
During former Administration, the gentleman
frpm florida no now ufiel ed the amendment,
had sold to the Government. to be occupied III
thuSe plantations. some very poor and barren
land. and had pocketed. 5y the speculation upon
his own constituents some hundreds of dollars
Th,- fact he pledged himself tn be able to prove
in Court of Justice. The House would readily
appreciate tue sensitiveness displayed by the
gentleman, and would perceive the true reason
WI, he sought 10 resist the inquiry proposed
The gentleman had said that agents had been
employed at salaries of 81, 400. This had been
roandly asserted for fact. He denied it to be
fact He said il was not true The agents en-
pioyed nov had the same per diem allowance as
those employed under previous Administration.
TIE agents he had found in employ when he came
into office were receiving an allowance Of IS per
day. Those now employed received the same
Yer, the gentleman had had the hardihood to re-
present their salary as public abuse He ap-
pealed to the House. to say whether the assertion
was warranted. He trusted they would excuse
him. ifhe BETRAYED some warmth on this subject,
arraisned, "e had been. BY that gentleman aud
hi, associates, "a guilty Of improper conduct ia
Office. H. WAS willing IL be cut down that in.
slant. and TO forfeit the regard of all honorable
and yirtuous men. it ne could be convicted of a
single dishouorabie act. or the smallest abuse of
power, while he had been at the head of the Ma
w Department No DOUBT he might have often
creed. But the error WAS one Of the head alone
II repeated the assertion, tina, he was ready to
be cut down, If he had ever been guilty of inten.
tional abuses; and he declared before that House,
that no such abuse lad ever happened the gen
tlenan asserted The number of agents had IN
deed been increased; but their per diem allow.
anc- was the same he had found it; he had also
allowed something for their expenses. Yet, the
II use were told he was guilty Of an abuse Of
power.
NJ. B. concluded by requesting the House to
excuse any warmth he nigh, have betrayed-he
had been so repeatedly assailed on this subject.
and IN such dastardly manner. thai he Felt
him.rif called upon to vindcate the course he had
pursued. What he had asserted he was ready
TO maintain either there or elsewhere.
Mr. White said. that il had not been his inten-
ton to 90 into any examination of the history Of
the plantations Of live oak timber, nor should he
now do So but fur ibe attack hirh had, in unjus