Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-04-30

how the secret service fund for certain period
has been spent. The Senator VINO offered this
resolution, am Satisfied, has no idea that any
Improperly has occurred as TO It's disburse-
uient. arm convinced he belisves, as ! do not
hesitate to declare that do, nay, as deem II
nv duty TO say, that the imputations made
against the late President and the distinguished
Senator from Massachusetts, IN reference 10 the
use of this fund improperly, whist the latter
was Secretary Of State, ARE ISLANDERS
OF THE SILLIEST AND MOST PITT
FUL CHARACTER. Sir, (Said Mr.. W.
/ viii not, as Senator, BY any vote OF mine,
permit any such fugacious scandal against any
high executive officer Of my country, or any
political party, and especially against citizen
who stands as high before the world as docs the
Senator assailed, and Of whose reputation and
fame abroad, Opposed as am to him IN po-
litical opinion on almost every subject OF party
contest l, as an American, feel proud--l say,
/ viii not consent that such gossip shall be the
foundation Of call upon the President, or any
action whatever Of this chamber.
viii not dignity such unworthy accusations
by any notice Of them whatever But this Is
not the chief reason for my desire that this res
olution NAV be voted down BY the Senate, TO
stand as precedent He SAID he especially de-
sired that President Polk, and all future Pres-
dents, may be assured that as 10 the disburse-
ment Of this fund, the Executive acts upon his
own responsibility, and is not TO be called to an
account: otherwise the act of Congress would
be dirty trap. Sir, il is pretty business If
we cannot repose sufficient confidence IN our
chief Magsirate--one who is elevated TO the
highest station in the gift Of the people Of these
United States BY their free suffrages--to enuust
him with the expenditure Of the paltry sum OF
fifty thousand dollars year for his country in
this mode. Mr. w said he felt humbled that
he was impelled by what he conceived his du.
" 10 make these observations. He regarded
the fair fame of our distinguished public men
as the property of the country we had reeeiv-
ed rich heritage from those who preceded us,
and any man who uniusily and causelessly
assails the reputation of such American, is no
friend Of the people or their institutions.
Mr. w said that he held il to be important,
that the executive branch Of the government
should be satisfied that full confidence is and
will be reposed in it as TO the fidelity with
which this fund may be discussed, as to the
discretion which will be exercised, and that IT
will be protected by Congress and by the PEG
pie from scandalous imputatlons so easily
made in regard TO it and it may not be deferred
from its ttdtci0its and patriotic use by any dPprc-
tensions Of popular suspicion improperly ercited,
or popular ctamor gotten up for other than patr-
otto objects.
The distinction which the resolution makes
between the disclosure of foreigners names
and the names of citizens employed as agents,
Mr. w said he regarded as untenable All
should be protected from exposure, or else we
may not procure the information they disclose,
or obtain the services they render But he
was opposed 10 the resolution on the general
grounds he had stated. Ii was scarcely neces-
sary. he said, for him to remark that he could
safely vouch that no knowledge was had by
the distinguished and worthy functionary at
the head ofthe State Department, or by the
faithful officer next to him, Of any disclosure.
of documents in their care to justify the call
proposed He felt assured of this from his
high character. He hoped the resolution
would be rejected at once.