Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-02-09


if the light should be let in, would disclose
similar delinquences--it is gravely insisted
that no inquiry shall be made, or. IT author :
ized, that il shall extend 20 no abuses except
such as shall be specifically alleged 4
Sir, there is 10 want of authority in this
House, or of precedents, to Justify ageneral
examination into The condition and proceed
ings OF the Departments. All that is want
ing is the inclination To exert it. Gentlemen
should show precedent for refusing At. Dur
ing the last Administration, when ChItons
resolutions were under discussion, and every
species of corruption imputed. the gentleman
from Rhode Island who now calls for specii-
ic charges, though then friend Of that Ad-
ministration, declared that the more extensive
rhe inquiry the more he should be pleased.
He wished that history of its whole proceed
ings, could be written in sunbeams IN The
heavens, that all might see; and the Admins
tration party, to their honor, voted for the re-
solutions, without one dissenting voice.
What contrast does not their conduct ex-
hibit to that Of the party now IN power VINO
object to inquiry, while constantly proclaim
ing theirS%lllingness to meet IT, because IL
may wound the Presdent;or or seek to shelter
the public officers under exceptions to form!
Are gentlemen serious, sir. in this demand
IOT spcCIUt CDhTBte! w ny "ho ~
resolution, offered last session, demanding
an inquiry into an alleged Illicit connexion
between Whitney and the Treasury, was re-
peatedly and finally rejected? Even the a
mendmcnt offered by my colleague, from the
Brunswick district, (Mr. DRoMGooLE) pro-
posing humby To solicit the information from
the Secretary of the Treasury, the officer I'M
plicated, ultimately failed; the gentlemen now
calling for specifications, (Messrs. MANN,
PEARCE, RIPLEY, and LANE,) with one voice
voting against the last proposition to take II
up, made by my colleague from Accomack,
(Mr. WIsE,) and succeeding, with an admin
istration minority of 80. in sitting all inquiry.
But, if it shall be the pleasure OF the House
10 adopt the amendnent; if specific charges
must be made it will, perhaps, not be so dlf-
ficult to present them as gentlemen may
have imagined Charges have been made
upon this foor,upon authority which the gen.
tleman from Rhode Island, at least VIII not
question, well meriing investigation. Slr,
they were made by the gentleman himself
was not present; but am not permitted to
doubt, though it seems almost incredible, that'
the gentleman who, some four or hve years
ago, delivered spc ech in this Hall, on the
resolution relating to the Wlscasset Colicc-
tor, and who bore the same name, and repre-
stHltu tHt sdIlc ctult, tHS S"''N
man who offered the amendment, and whom
now behold sitting near me. Hen quanfnm
mutat,ls abitio! beg leave to recapltulate
some of the most prominent charges.
Mr.. Robertson then enumerated variety
Of charges contained in the speech of the
member from Rhode Island, in April, 1872.
Congressional Debates, vol. 8, p. 2}o7. tie
read passages to show that the member had
substantially charged the President and his
party
nan neelecti,g the reform and retre'ichmem
they teere pledged 10 effect;
Win r'e,cing those tcho hal previously been
in ofce as conquered enemies, and the Offices
themselves as the spoils ofrictory.
He said that the gentleman, to use hls own
expressive language, had taken the bull b,
the horns, and had charged the President
himself -. ....
Wih improperly appointing members 9
Congress TO Q0fce;
Wih using his o6iciu patronage and tyfu-
ence 10 make .M. Fan BWen his successor;
With contemning the authority Of co ordi-
nate branch Of The Government the Senate, and
Uih usmpiag OF abusing he po'oer Of op-
pointment.
Mr.. ROBERTSON commented upon these
charges, and the arguments and proofs ad-
support o.! them lie said that the abuses
Complained OF had never been Investigated,
and that it was time 10 inquire whether the
charges were well founded, and if 50 to pro-
vide a remedy.
He observe that to the list of members OF
Congress named by the member from Rhode
Island, on whom Executive favor had been
bestowed, numerous others might now be ad-
ded; that the President had induged in tins
practice, the corrupt tendency OF when he
had himself pointed out, to an uneXamPed
extent.
TO the instances adduced to prove the Pre-
sidents contempt for the authority OF the Sc
nate-those of Stambaugh and Rector-he
would add that Of Gwlnn, and the more re-
cent case of the former Speaker ofthls House;
and argued that the President, in keeping
persons in office whom the Senate had re-
jected or keeping offices vacant which the
public service required should be hIled, until
the Senate should conform to his will, had, III
effect, appropriated the whole power OF ap-
pontment to himself, and violated the Con-
sttution, in its spirit, if not in lis letter.
In regard to the charge against hum OF US
ing his official patronage and influence in
the election of his successor he would only
say that, if the gentleman from Rhode Island,
nearly five years past, saw grounds to be-
leve that the President had thrown 'hls man
tie" upon Mr.. Van Buren; If he thought hun
sclfjuslifed in presenting the vivid picture
he then drew of the President with his pet
candidate "on his shonIders;' It was lmpossi'
BILE he could have seen any thing since to
shake his belief: on the contrary, the Gwlnn
letter, the Baltimore caucus, the late cleo
tioneering tour into Tennessee, were corrobo-
rating proofs, with many others,ih that the Pre-
sdent had kept his eye steadily Oh his OBJ
ject, until it had been finally consummated.
While upon this subject,said Mr.. X. as the