The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-10

Mr.. DOUGLASS, who said he had only TO say
in reply TO the gentleman from New York Mr..
RATHBUH, who seemed lrrltated by his Mr.. DIS !
remarks, and who had been 50 inlOerably severe on
him Mr.. ID. as To say there were some men who
scared so high alofI that they could not attend to
small matters. That there were some matters so
small that he could not himself THE remainder Of the
sentence was lost TO the reporterl Mr. d. made no
personal application Of any remark Of hiss the gem
tleman seemed DESTROYS to make personal applica
ton OF his remarks, and in reply Mr.. ID. could only
say that among the small maters-so small that he
could not descend to them-was to bring member
Of his own family here and palm him off on a menla
service pensiOner Of this House. and then, after
that, TO get up and complain that they had not got
their share Of those thus pensioned.
Mr., RATHBUN (Mr. SAWYER further yielding
said he not surprised at the remarks OF the gem
tleman from Illinois, would he be surprised at
anything he could say
Mr.. DOUGLASS. Nor | at an hing the gentle
man from New York can do
Mr.. RATHBUN (contnuing.) man 80 happy
that God made him just as he has, may be expected
to say just things.
One word, Continued Mr.. r. in regard to the
imputatlon Of my bringing my son 10 Washington,
and putting him into a mental service. He would
not tell the gentleman was not true, that might
not be so agreeable. But he would state what the
facts were which, perhaps, would answer the gentle
mans purpose as well. That his was at Wash
Ington, was true; that he was of age, was equally
true that he sought his own employment, was
equally true; that he did not come with HIM (Mr.
H. but more than month in advance, was equally
true; that he remained something like a month in
employment, was uuei and, from that time down to
the present that he had been out of employment,
was equally true. II there was any SIN in that, hs
portion OF II, Mr.. K. was ready always to bear.
Men arc considered OF age at 81 years; but some
times man may live 10 be 100 years Of age and
yet nobody would suppose he was OF age.
MIR, DOUGLASS wished to say, in regard TO the
gentleman's son, that he cast no imputston upon
him; he MIR. ID. was not acquainted with him. But
what Mr.. ID. had thought, was this-that a member
thus delcatey situated, ia describing these that
came TO Washington, 10 the great pauper- house
Of the nation-abandoned characters hanging on for
ofce-a disgrace TO the nation when they got here
that a member thus situated, ought to have had
little more deicaey for his son than TO have
elassed him in such a category.
| MIR. SAWYER resumed the floor, and proceed.
ed IN a course Of remark which attracted the
marked attention and not little merrment in the
committee.
! lie remarked that he had been with some anxiety
Trying To get this bill up since the first Of the
session, and he reoced that they had finally reached
II to-day-through great deal Of tribuaIion, too.
Now, ! ask nothing (sad Mr.. s. but what is
clearly right and what shall be able to show
Is right am not at all surprised at seeing an OPP
position from certain quarters for the moment this
bill was brought up, the representatives from the
"Ancent Dominion" appeared TO be all in motion
as well as certain other gentlemen this floor. |
will explain before get through why 1t is by facts
and hguresi and will also give the reasons whV
the gentleman from Illinois is opposed TO it, IL will
be recolected, If understand right, that the gentle
man from Illinois is a bachelor. General laughter !
Mr. w. HUNT calIedrhe gentleman to order.
Mr. DOUGLASS. | hope not on so delicate
| point. Renewed laughter
| SAWED i
that the gentleman's associations with in thus
city whose solicitation had been used for his vote
and influence TO prevent the passage Of this bill
might be one reason for the course he saw fit To
take against It. Mr.. S. had remarked that he had
some Proofn relation to this branch Of the SUBJECT
which would probably enable the House to see the
bearing Of this remark.
He now proceeded to the grave part of the sub
ject He quoted the authority of General Jackson;
he had here a book which contained a message OF
Gen. Jackson, from which he wished the clerk to
read an extract on this subject.
The clerk read as follows:
There perhaps few who any great length
Of time enjoy Office and power without being
under the influence Of feelings unfa yorabe the faithful
discharge Of their public duties Their integrity may be
proof against Improper address
ed to themselves; hut they apt TO acquire habit OF
tslerating conduct from which Unparalleled would
revolt Office considered species of property; and
government rather as a means of promoting indiydal To-
terest than solely the service
Of the people Corruption in some, and in others
sion OF correct feelings and principles divert government
from Its legitimate ends and make engine for the
port OF the few at the expense Of the many The duties Of
all public officers at least admit of being made
plain and simple that Of intelligence may readily quail
y themselves for their performance and but
eve that more is lost by the long contnus of
once than is generally to be gained by their experience
submit therefore to consideration whether the eff.
cheney oil the government would not he promoted and Of
hcia industry and integrity better secured by general
extension of the law which limits appointments 10 four
years
In country where Offices created solely for the
dement, oil the people no one man has any more intrinsic
right to official station than another Offices
expense No individual wrong is therefore done by reno
val since neither appointment TO nor continuance in Office
matter of right. The incumbent became officer with
vew to the public benefits; and when these require his
removal they not to be ced to private interests
IS the people and they alone who have right to com
plain when bad officer is substituted for good He
who is removed has the same means OF obtaining living
The proposed limitation would destroy the idea OF property
now so generally connected official station: and although
individual distress may be sometimes produced it would
by promoting that rotation which constitutes leading
principle IN the republican creed give healhfu action to
the system
That is the text (said Mr.. 81 from which in
tend to preach; and believe it to be good one It
was the opinion Of Gen. Jackson believe it is from
his third annual message, in which he takes up this
very subject. You well recollect the circumstances
under which it was pennej that after he came into
power he turned ont great of the officers in this
city. A hue and-cry raised by the then whig par
ty against it as prescription, and they called pro-
scriptlon for opinions sake. General Jackson
penned tina, message, and promulgated it to the
American people, and solicited the action of Con-
gress on the subject. 1t has not been had l pro-
pose it now, and believe large majority of this
House are determined to put through this bill The
gentleman from Illinois objects to the details Of the
bill; he does not find fault with the general system
but objects to the lmpracucabity as he consid ers
It, of the details of the bill; il is therefore certainly
his part, with his superior knowledge, to propose
his amendments to the bill, to remedy the defects
which he considers there are in it.
am aware, Mr.. Chairman there has been great
cry throughout the country, and especially by the
wing party, about prescription for opinions sake;
and IN the early part of this session the gentleman
from Kentucky MIR G. DAusl read us lecture
about prescribing men for opinions .sake--about
turning men out Of Office because they do not he
l,eye as we do. Mr. Chairman, hold the doctrine
that ito the vlctors belong the spoils." repea, it,
hold the doctrine, and practice it both in my
public and in my private walks, that ito the victors
belong the spos." Or, in other words, | hold the
doctrine (if gentlemen do not Ike tho nbr,a u,bc