Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-08-13
MONDAYS Proceedings.

The morning WAS taken up IN the discussion OF the
resolution OF Mr.. Clay Of Alabama, calling for Informa
ton regard 10 multitude OF appointments IN
the Land Office The discussion took wide range,
embracing the various modes III which prescription has
recently showed ITSELF at the expense ri the principles
laid down IN the Presidents message-amd in utter
contempt Of the doctrines of economy preached be-
fore the elections We shall give brief sketch OF the
debate, (Which will be resumed tomorrow ,uorning)
in the evening paper!
Nlessrs. Clay OF Alabama, Preston, Smith Of lndi-
ana, Benton, Buchanan, Wright, and King, engaged
in,
Mr. Rives to make explanations, but was
oft by Mr. Smith Of Indiana who INSISTED upon pro-
ceeding to the unfinished business-THr LaSp psTRl-
BILL.
II IS proper that we should our distant read
crs, what, opinion, attaches Importance to the
call of Mr.. Clay of Alabama, and brought out the OBJ
lectlons of MIR. Preston and MIR. Smith of Indiana.
II is known 10 the public thu, Mr.. Ewing mmedi-
ately after the installation Of Mr. Huntington in the
Land Office, held sort OF inqnsition with him and
the Chef Clerk Friday, and ordered about do
zen Democrats among the bes. clerks in the office
10 be executed on the next day The President put a
veto on TINS wholesale prescription, which cut of al
mos, tie whole corps of Republicans III Department,
where majority Of their antagonists had always been
tolerated, and some cia ht immediately
stored. All this is matter OF noorIety.
Baked IN this summary proceeding, MIR. Ewing has
taken circu,tous way TO The SAME end lie knows
that during the rage the land speculaons when the
ordinary amount the force the office necessarily
increased by the employment If extra clerks Mr..
Whitcolnb, the late Commissioner, after pushing the
business with great assIduy, was enabled 10 bring up
The arrearages and dismiss twenty OF the tempe
rary clerks aud reduce the force IN the Department
10 the number required by its ordinary service -
There has been increase but rather a decrease
the land sales under the present Adm nistration,
and no preeat exists for increasing the number oil
clerks with which Mr.. Whitcomb enabled TO do
the work IN the present ordinary condition OF the
Department. Blu, Mr.. Ewing having the precedent
OF appointing extra clerks, growing out OF the ex-
trGordinary influx Of business under former Ad'
mnsiral'on, SEXES upon II, and appoints some eight
nine new clerks, 10 whom doubtless he had pro-
missed the places OF those whom he dismissed, but
whom the PRIsipr>r resolved should be retained
After these new ncumbcnts fairly domicIled, MIR.
Ewing Will certainly discover, that portion Of the
clerks are supernumeraries and them all likelihood,
he will write TO the Democratic clerks who were rein
stated By the Presidents order ha, there is no longer
any necessity for their services, and they will be dis
missed as supernumerares and the Corners retain.
cd
In this way the prescription intended may he &c.
complshed, and the Department get great credit for us
re,renchment.
The bill for the distribution OF the proceeds OF the
sales of the public lands taken up and variety OF
amendments were offered. Mr.. Walker proposed an
amendment giving 10 the State Of Mississippi her two
per cent fund which he advocated at some length, and
was opposed BY Mr.. Smith Of Indiana. The amend