Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-08-23

nIte una speclnc charges to ascertain how Tar the
President or heads Of department have abused their
authority to appoint and remove officers, and to
what extent such appointments and removals have
tended to restrain and tramme the freedom of opin-
ion; to affect the freedom and purity of elections in
this country; to punish individuals for the exercise
of that freedom and to corrupt and enslave public
officers who hold and private individuals who seek,
places under this government.
"The question being taken on Mr. Wses amend
ment, it was rejected as follows.
"Ayes-Messrs. Campbell Lincoln, Wse-3.
"Nays-Messrs. Pearce, Muhenburg, Parks,
Mann, Chaney-5.
"The question recurring on the adoption of the
resolution offered by Mr.. Pearce it was decided in
the affirmative, as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Pearce, Muhlenburg, Parks,
Mann, Chaney-5.
"Nays-Messrs. Campbell, Lincoln, Wse-3"
On the 10th February MIR. Wise offered the fol-
lowing resolution:
" ReSolred, That this committee will inquire
whether the Executive officers, or either of them,
have established, assisted in establishing, press
es or newspapers for party purposes, and have CIV
en- pledges to the proprietors thereof of the Gov
eminent patronage, and have performed those
pledges, by giving such presses or papers the pat
ronage OF the Government and whether the public
printing has been taken from long established pres
ses or papers, with numerous subscribers, and Civ.
en- to such presses and papers newly established,
with pledges Of the government patronage, without
subscribers
(Which resolution was rejected, as follows:
ayes Messrs. Campbell and Wise-2.
"Nays-Mossrs. Pearce Muhlenburg, Manu..
On the 9th of February, Mr. Wise offered the
following resolution:
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Treasury
be requested 10 furnish this Committee with the
originals copies Of all letters, papers, reports
correspondence, on the files of the Treasury De-
rt.x Al
cla acts of HIMSELF of the collector of Newport,
Rhode Island, in removing David Melville from
the office of weigher and guager of that place.
81 Mr.. Mann offered the following amendment
add at the end Of the resolution, except such as
have heretofore been communicated 10 the Senate
of the United States and except such also, as are
of confidential character
(which amendment rejected as follows:
"Aye-Mr. Manu-.
"Nays Messrs Muhlenbug, Campbell, Parks,
Lincoln, CLANCY, Wise-6.
"The question recurring on the adoption of the
resolution, the same was rejected, as follows:
"Ayes-Messrs. Campbell, Lincoln, Wise-3.
"Nays-Messrs. Muhlenburg, Parks, Mann,
Chaney-4."
Thus it clearly appears, by these proceedings,
that the Committee efficiently seconded the views
of the President and heads of Departments, and
practically carried them ort LIST. The member
of the Committee at whose instance witness was
called was required to state in writing the charges
witness was expected to sustain I'd. The Com
mittee positively determined that it would not n,
the absence Of definite, specified charges ofcorupion
and abuses, inquire into the reasons Of the Erecu-
the, or Heads Of Erecutiue Departments for dp-
poitmentS to, or remorals from, office, in direct con-
tradicton to the decision of the House, which re-
jected the amendment requiring specific charges.
1t decided that when definite and specific charges
were made of corruption and abuses in appoint.
mcnts to and removals from Office and in subsidiz-
ing the public press, it would not inquire into them;
and 4th, when such specific charges were made, as
they were in the case of appointing Alfred Hooker
to-, and removing David Melville from office, and as
in establishing newspapers with the public money,
the Committee refused to inquire into them, and
to examine witnesses in relation to them.
Such will clearly Illustrate the principles upon
which the Committee proceeded in insttuting III
quires into the condition of the various Executive
Departments by resolutions.
The questions Which the majority refused to pro-
pound to witnesses, tohen called, still further illus
trate the determined manner in which investiga
ton was blocked. We give few specimens from
the Journal Of the Investigating Committee.
PAGES 80 AND 81
Question by Mr.. Wise to Mr.. Woodbury.:
II. Do you know whether presses have or have
not, been established at the seat of Government
and elsewhere in the United States, by Executive
officers, and others united with them, to promote
the election of Martin Van Buren, to the Presiden
cy, with promises or pledges of the Government
patronage; and whether such patronage has moi
been afforded them?
Objected to by Mr.. Parks and rejected by the
followingvote
Ayes-Mr. Campbell and Mr.. Wise-2
Nays-Mr. Pearce, Mr.. Muhlenburg Parks, Mr.
Mann, Mr.. Chaney-5.
Question by Mr.. Wise to MIR. Woodbury.:
To- Do you not know that societies and comb
nations of executive officers have been formed a
Washington to influence and control the elections
of the people; and whether Executive officers have
been required by the party of Mr.. Van Buren, tc
contribute money out of their salaries or otherwise
to aid Mr. Van Buren's election to the Presidency
Objected to by Mr. CLANCY, and rejected by the
following votes
| Aye-Mr Wise.
Nays-Mr. Pearce, Mr.. Muhlenburg, Mr.. Parks
Mr.. Mann, Mr.. Chaney5.
| PAGE SO.
| Questions by Mr.. Wise to Mr. Towns:
q Do you know from your knowledge, or from
any Of the officers or agents of the Executive
branch of this Government, whether they or eithe
Of them are now, or have been, interested person
ally in purchasing or specializing in the reserva
tons of Creek or other Indians, and if either o.
them, who?
Objected to by Mr. Mann, and rejected by the
following vote:
|
Nays-AIr. Muhenburg, Mr. Parks, Mr.. Mann
Mr.. Chaney-4.
The broad shield of the partys protection being
thus thrown over the pets and favorites of the ad
ministration, they continued their frauds and pecu
atons without fear of molestation and some ides
of the extent to which they were carried may be
gained from the following return of the DEFAUL
TIERS, as communicated to Congress in 1880, b,
Levi Woodbury., then Secretary of the Treasury
under Mr. Van Buren, Had james K Polk acted
in manner becoming the Representative of tn,
American People, instead of subservien partisan
and confederate of spoilsmen and corruptionists
a committee would have been appointed whose
majority at least would have proceeded with vigo
and concerted action, to ferret out and expose
these robberes and defalcations, and would have
saved the country from great portion Of the loss
es which it has incurred.
MR.. POLK'S PROTEGES.
Samuel Swartwout NewYork Sl,225,705 66
William M. Price, do $4,000 0(
A. s. Thurston, Key West, Florida, 1922 il
George w. Owen, Mobile, Ala. ll,l73 AZ
Israel p. Cranky, Charlottesville, Ind. 3S,l03 81