Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1837-02-09
VGEg.!YaE NNNsHH.---No. S..

S1 ~ ~ ttp"I- WClllS !cSV' 'ciS: i!Id "llIoEL -
min1tion 10. or the advice and consent OF: the Senate Of
Tie Ci'itrd states; showing thr names Of such officers,
agents or deputies; the SUMS paid 10 each, The services
rendered. anI by what AUTHORITY appointed and paid. and
What reasons for such appointments.
3 EcS0'rfd, That the heads Of the scvcra, departments
oe required 10 lGrhiS!! this c0mmitlce with I statement
showing The various amounts o! money paid within The
last four years, ending on The first of December last, for
contingencies, whether appropriated or not by law, TO
whom and Tor what paid; showing whether any, and if
any, what appropriations have been change! from so.ci-
lc To other "bjects OF expenditure than those tu1 which
they were made. aud how Suci! change was authorized
or effected; and showing the amount of Illegal or ire.
GUAR expenditures, allowances, or payments of every
description whatever, il any, made by said departments
respectively; since the 4th day Of March, lc2I, 10 the
lst OF December, 1876, and whether paid by Treasury
warrant or draft, or otherwise, 10 whom and for VIA,
paid: and tie authority aud reasons for sccl. e.pendi-
lures.
!. ReS0lcsd, That the heads of the several daparl.
menis be directed to furnish tbs committee with a list
Of all officers. AGENTS, or deputies, who have, since the
am day CT March, leg, 10 the Is. Of December last,
w!uiil the departments respectively, received salaries,
pay, or cmoluncnl Of any kind, without rendering ser.
vice TO tire Government; who have received salaries,
pay, or emo!ument of any kind, willuu, being in office;
whose commissions have been ante dated; who held other
stations or appointments, State or Federal, when receiv-
ing pay for particular Offices or agencies, or who have
been engaged in private employment. and what, Wills.
receiving pay from. and rendering no service 10, the Go.
rcrninent at the United STATES. witt! the names OF such
officers, or agents, or deputies; HE sums 0: salaries paid
to each, and the times Of service Of each respectively.
.. ReSotccd, That the various Executive officers, in
replying to The foregoing resolutions, be requested, at
the same time, 10 furnish 4 statement of the period at
which any innovations not authorized by law, if such
exist. had their origin; their causes, and the necessity
which has required their continuance.
u. Reso!rcd, That the Secretary OF! the Navy be direct.
ed to furnish this committee with the report. or copy of
the report, OF john 7. Van Ness and ANGST Kendall,
commissioners appointed by authority o.! the President
Of the United States: 10 receive und report such les,imo.
nv n = IpIpLt La ,tinr.i int,clirr c.rf,,, ,l,r IN. .,r.E.r
red by Mr.. Hanson Gassaway: relative TO the cundcmna-
ton, and delivery 10 him, OF sundry pieces Of ordnance
at Washington arsenal; and certain other charges con-
nrcled with sundry contracts, and other matters con-
nected with tie office OF the Navy Commissioners, which
commissioner sal during the year Ic33.
A true copy from the journal.
Attest: Is. +. HALLETT, Clerk.
In Select COmmdNcc attic HOv$e TO inquire into the Ere.
cutise Departments, Sc, Jan. 23d, 1857:
The following resolutions were adopted aud the Chair
man directed 10 furnish the President Of the u. S. with
copy Of tue same:
"ReSOtred, That The President of the U. S. be request
ed. and the Leads Of the several Executive Departments
be directed, 10 furnish this committee with Il list or lists Of
all officers, or agents., or deputies, who have been ap.
pointed or employed and paid, since the 4lh of March,
ls1y, 10 the first Of December last, if any. without nu-
LioI!ty OF la", or whose names are not contained in the
last printed Register Of public officers, commonly called
tile "Blue Book,' by the President or either of the said
heads OF departments respectively, and without nominal
ton 10, or tile advice and consent Of the Senate OF the
u. s.; showing the names Of such officers, agents. or
deputies; the sumaPa!d 10 each; the services rendered,
and by what authority appointed and paid, and what .ea-
SONS Tor such appointments.
= ReSalrsd. That The various Executive officers, in re-
plying TO t!' foregoing resolution. be requested at the
sam. t!!ne 10 !arIiah l statement OF the period ut which
any innovations not authorized by law, if such exist, had
tnsIr origin; they CAUSES aad the NECESSITY which has re-
qulTCd their continuance.
Aue&!: 3. /. llAL.LETT, Clerk.
~ D.,: I.y', ,- 4, II r "
LCoPyl W*s"ISuroN CRY, Jan. II, 1886.
Stt-l received Gil tie evening oi tne 9Th inst. your
letter. covering Il copy ol certain resolutions purporiing
10 haze been adopted by Il committee Of the House OF
Representatives, Of which you are chairman, and request
that you will lay before that c0iumilIcc, this, my reply,
wluciI | hasten 10 maze.
Ii appears. by the published proceedings Of the House
OF Representative s, that tic committee. Of which you
are cha!rInan, was appointed Oh your motion. The re-
solution offered by you, and finally adopted by the
House, raised i direct issue with that part OF my annual
message III which held the toilowin" language: "Ee-
lore cnnciTGInG th:s paper: think ii daC to the various
Executive Departments, To bear testimony Of their pros
porous c"Id!tton, and 10 the ability aud integrity with
which they have been conducted. It has been my
AIM 10 enforce ~ all Of them L yigilan! and iiithtul dis.
charge OF t"c public business; and II is gratifying 10
ne ~ believe that there is no just cause OF Complaint,
from any quarter, at the manner IN which they havo
fulfilled The object oil their creation" Your resolution
Is IN the following words:
''IcSU'rld. That 50 nauch Of the Presidents mrssara.
as relates To The ]'couditiGu of the various Executive De-
partuicnts. ;nr ability and integrity with which they
have been c~pnductcd, the vigilami aud faithful discharge
y! lie pub..G business III all vi them, and the cuuscs of
complaint from any GuaIicr, at the manner in which
they have !n!iI!cd the objects Of their creation, be- re-.
ierTed ~ L select committee. 10 consist Of nine members,
with power L. send for persons and papers, and with IN.
s!rucuuns - inquire into The condition of the various
Executive departments, the ability and integrity with
which they have been conducted, into the manner in
"hlcii the public business las hccn discharged in ali Of
them, and into all causes Of complaint. from any
n11rinr At fila n 4 n in SrhlIh gntt tln.n.. z.,. -
their bureaus or offices, or any Of their officers or agents
Ut every description whatever. directly or indirectly
CONNECTED W!til item in am manner. officially or uuohi-
ciaHy, III duties pertaining 10 the public interest, have
fulfilled or failed 10 accomplish The objects of their
creation, or rave violated their duties. or hare iniur-
I'd and impaired the public service and interest, ard
that said coinral'tce, in lis inquiries, may refer to
such period; Of time as 10 them may seem cxpcdieEt
and Itopcr.' 1t also appears, from the published
proceedings OF the House, that this resolution was
accompanied and supported By 4 speech Of considerable
length, in which you preferred many severe but vague
charges OF corruption and abuse in the Executive De.
partncnts. The resolutions adopted by the committee,
as vel! as that adopted by the House itself, must Lc T..
ken in connection with you! introductory speech, which
gives I character TO the Whole proceeding. When thus
regarded, 1t is obvious that, By the resolution of tie
House, al Issue is made with the President ui the Uni
ted Si4lcs; as he had alleged, in his annual message,
that the heads Of tic EXccuuT2 departments had per-
formed lhcit official duties with ability and in,egrity.-
In your speech you Gsned this; you charged them with
manifold cor:uPtlOiia, anu abuses ol trds!, az you had
dore in former speeches, 10 which you referred; and you
demanded an investigation through the medium Of Il
committee. Certain other members oil Congress. as ap-
! pears by the published ~debales. united with you in these
accusations; and for the purpose Of! ascerlalnIng their
truth or ia!sei0ct, tie committee you Gcihahaed vas or
dered 10 be raised, ana you were placed al lis head
The first proceeding of the Investigating committee is
To mass l series Of resolutions, which, though amended
in ihc;r passyr,e. ue:e, as Understood, introduced BIZ YOU,
c,iI,mr. IN IN, President, and the heads Of the dcpal iuients
-~nnr 10 answer To any specific charge; no, 10 explain
m. alIrrcG ,yu:c: not 10 give affirmation as to any parti-
T cuior t,aIn.ac.ion; bat, assuming that they have keen gull
~ Of the cl;ar4rs ALLEGED, calls upon them 10 furnish
evidence against themselves!
Atrr iES rei.eraleL caa:gas Won have n1nh. Il Wa "a