Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-08-20
TWENTY.SEyENTH CoNGREss--lst Session
IN SENATE OF UNITED STATES.
,,r afop Il M 4 z ., lSal: ,ou,rrc

IN SENATE OF UNITED , IA
ureArE N REfEsaT5 1fKegysf ~, ! 3 plrloAArc
APPOINTMENTS.
MIR. CHOATE presented a memorial asking that
chloride of lime might not be subjected to duty
The resolution submitted by Mr.. Linn, some days
since requiring the President TO give notice TO the Br
fish Government, ugreeaby to the Convention of 1877
putting end to the treaty for the Joint occupation OF
Oregon taken up, when
Mr. LINN announced his intention TO offer some Few
remarks the subject either tomorrow or next DAY
meantime he would request that 1t be passed over IN
formally, which acqulesced IN.
The resolution submitted by Mr.. Clay OF Alabama
relating to the appointment of additional clerks IN the
land office, and the grounds on which they were ap'
pointed, &c. was taken up, when
Mr. SMITH Of Indiana said he would call the attci-
ton of the Senate the subecl.matter OF the resou
ton So far as he was individually concerned, he hao
no objection 10 the resolution but lie submitted whether
it was worth while to burden the Departments WIN
call of this kind where Legislative acton couu grow
out of it.. In his opinion, Congress haa hoth's ~ w
with the appointment of clerks; that belonged eSeiu
siyey 10 the Executive branch of the Government. II
any legitimate object could be effected by H. he wouiuor
Just willing any Senator IN the BODY mat u shou,a
pass But mus. all perceive, 1t We had tue rlsh
10 call on one Department, we had the same right ."
call on another, until there might be no end 10 caiis
out Of which, as he had sad before, no legislative ac
ton could grow: During his legislative lise he hao
never seen resolution OF similar import but II was
proper in ITSELF he not disposed to make tins an e&-
ception. ,,..,
MIR. CLAY of Alabama thought the resolution touch
ed a tender place The present Administration had
come in under the cry of"retrenchment and REFORM
and under that cry he had understood several new
clerks had been appointed to the Land Ohce; and ne
sought to institute examination INTO Inc iacts ano
the grounds on which these appointments had been
made; and should he not he permitted to do SO: lie
would suggest that Legislation might grow out oil the
facts. Suppose they heard that the mead OF an once
had been abusing his privileges, should they not nstl.
tute an inquiry into the facts Of the CASE When was
known that the business OF an ONCE was so materially
diminished as require The dismissal OF some twenty
clerks under one Administration and all at once was
found that another Administration coming INTO power
under The badges of reform and economy, had appoint
ed additional clerks, was it not important IT, ascertain
whether the facts stated "r not: lie thought
the Senator from Indiana must al once admit the pro-
priety of the call!
Mr. LINN said this was TO be n reform Admnistra
ton and il could not begin at better time to carry
out its pIedoes He was not :ttle surprised to see
objection made to a resolution calling Tor SIMPLE state
ment of facts Bu il only served 10 show that there
was no disposition - carry out their pledges mat
about economy and r-lnrm Just about as much re-
spected as that about prescription, and he should
deavor TO nail such rounieIfes to the counter, that
those who run might read. What, said Mr. L.. alter
the public buildings nearly finished aud the Florida
war closed is il not right well as our duty to see
that the immense asked for by yoa should be used
properly: You made the charges against US OF profit
racy dishonesty, and extravaganza, and now We mean
TO make you honest, whether you Will or not; we shall
watch closely your movements; we shall look INTO
your Abolition appointments, and every thing else,
Mr. SMITH of Indiana would say nothing more
He made no objection to the resolution if it pro-
per one He had nothing to apprehend from the most
rigid scrutiny; therefore the remarks OF the Senators
from Alabama and Missouri could not apply, MS TO
such matters had presented themselves to his mind
He was as willing aye and rendy, any Senator on
that floor to expose abuses, let them exist where they
might. His remark. had no reference to the screening
OF any body from just responsibility, but SIMPLY 10 de-
erine the question whether the resolution proper
or expedient where legislative action not likely to
grow of it, And he desired, for all, TO dis
claim any other object
MIR. BUCHANAN requested the Secretary would
read the resolution again.
The resolution was read BY the Secretary, desired.
Mr. PRESTON did not see any objection to the call
made by the resolution He for did not think that
any additional clerks should be employed in any OF the
DEPARTMENTS unless the business absolutely demanded
the addition He thought however, the resolution did
not 90 far enough 1t ought to reach Tar enough back
show by contrast whether the number oil clerks now
employed is greater than the average number during
the late Administration. He understood the present
Administration to be Wing reform Administration,
mud such he satisfied II would prove to be- He be-
lieved il would do better than tho late Administration.
But the question Of reform was not whether twenty
clerks had been dispensed with at the Of going out
power, which the new Administration might find me-
gate of expenditure could not be retrenched, without
imparing the business of the country.
Mr.. CLAY of Alabama said the fact was, that the
twenty clerks dismissed from the Land office by the
late Administration were dismissed three or four years
ago.
Mr. PRESTON, in continuation contended that a
case could arise make il appear that new Admins
traton extravagant by Administration Just CO.
ny out of power dsmSsIng employees OF the Govern
ment, and leaving 1t matter OF necessity tor the sue
I,,,p,S To- akp IN How
the business fall lie then alluded 10 the
charges brought against the present Administration for
removals from Office. He commended that the removals
Ind not been one tenth of those made on the late Ad
ministration coming into power. The removals then
made were made as il was the first duty of the party
coming into power TO distribute office TO those who
brought it into power. 1t WIS tyrannical exercise oil
power which the present party IN powe. eprdated and
did not act upon.
MIR. LINN requested he world be allowed 10 say one
word il was in relation the grounds taken by the
party now in power in their assaults on Mr. van bu
ren's Administration. These were, that the removals
in his and Gen Jacksons time were unconstitutional,
without the sanction Of the Senate. This was carried
far TO be embodied in resolutions presented to THIS
body. The removals were characterized as tyrannca
and unconstitutional.
MIR. PRESTON contended that although the grounds
named BY the Senator from Missouri might have been
taken at FIRST the point of constitutionalty was subse
quently laid over, and the ground taken by the Wing
party before the people was TINT removals for opinions
sake were tyrannca and oppressive.
Mr. CLAY ofAa,, rose to reply, when the Chair an
nouuced that the morning hour had expired.
Mr. CLAY ofAla., would ask of The courtesy of the
Senate TO be allowed 10 proceed
The question pat, and on division, there ap-
peared 20 for and Is against IT.
MIR CLAY of Alabama did not expect, when the
resolution was submitted that it would have created
any debate 1t was simple call, asking nothing ex,
,raordnary, aud making no charges Why, then nii
his excitement, He desired TO test the fidelity Of
those who came into power, and see whether their
pledges had been redeemed. 1t was but the other day
,hey had from the Committee on Finance report
great flourish about retrenchment-s'x thousand nine