Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-17

tonay appointed, and reach 10 the issuing OF
commissions, appointment Of officers and fixing their
salaries by the Executive without the authority Of Con.
press He did not mean to convey any censure with
epard 10 the present Executives but generally 10
press his views TO The abuse which had grown up.
With regard 10 The resolution now offered, he consider
ed it unnecessary the report Of the commissioner
would probably be soon presented; he as anxously
looked for that report any gentleman who called
for it, and if he not greatly mistaken, when does
come up, the gentlemen will find more abuses exposed
in il than they will have stomachs to hear
Mr.. PIERCE thought the Senator conceived, ifhe was
aware of The abuses 10 be exposed he would press
his resolutions but he could tell the Senator that he
not the man 10 screen abuses, matter by whom com
mi.led On The contrary, when abuses were charged
upon the late Administration, he met them at the outset,
and called for the proofs He called for the proofs
furnished hy this investigation, ana he was met hy a
motion 10 Law his call on the table. Before The gentle
men came into power, they pledged themselves To The
country prove corruption and abuses oil the gros St
kind against the late Administration 10 an enormous
tent They have been nearly one year in power-have
had their own commission, consisting Of six officers OF
their own appointment who have spent ten months in
sc!utinzng The abuses of the New York custo-houSe
and now when they asked By The friends 1.-THE late
Administration present TIC result OF their inquiries
they meet the demand with notion the effect of which
is 10 withhold the information they stand pledged the
country 10 give.
Mr. MASGrM commended that there was no ndisposton
10 give information; the resolution was considered unne
cessary as the report of the commissioners in pre-
paration and would be ready i'll few days Therepor.
he feared would be imperfect for whether from want Of
facilities TO obtain information, want OF time 10 get
through such mass of abuse he was not prepared TO
saw but he understood the abors OF the commissioners
we're not vet half through, and it would require exen
sion of the commission 10 enable them 10 probe the
enormous mass of abuses 10 the bottom. Mr. NJ. con-
cuded by moving tolay the resolution on the table.
Mr. BuoHAsAy had but two three words TO say on
this matter but did not desire tospeak the resolution
atall. He concurred with the Senator from Kentucky
that the Injunction Of the Constitution did not author
ize the Executive issue commissions appoint officers,
and FIX salaries without the authority Of Congress, for
he considered such power would be an entire change
of Government.
The Senator told the friends of the late Adminisra
ton not to haoo before they got out of the woods
Are they 10 keep always in the woods Are they
to get out of them: They have been the whole year
calling for specifications of the charges of monsrous
abuse broug ht against the late Administration; but
they might as well be calling spirits from the Vastly
deep There was response to The call. He would
be very glad go along with the Senator in all inqu
ries after abuses, no matter by whom committed; but
when the inquiry made he would want the inforrna
lion to be given.
Mr. B. in The subsequent part of his remarks, allu
ded to Samuel Swartwout as defaulter and candi.