The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-02


was what he had not done
Mr.. STANTON was glad to hear this explanation
from hls colleague. He (Mr. 50 was very sure that
every clerk who might be incompetent and idle would be
dismissed by the President the fact came to his
| knowledge 1t would be an interference with the con-
stluona duties of the President to restrict his selec-
ton OF officers to any locality.
| MIR. JOHNSON, OF Tennessee. Do understand my
colleague as being opposed TO giving to his district fair
proportion OF these ofioesi
1 Mr.. STANTON would, he said, do what he could for
his constituents consistently with the provisions OF the
constitution and regard to the public service. The
President was invested by the constitution with the duty
of appointing officers. He not restricted in his Sc
lection to localities He might appoint them all, II he
chose, from district The following was the provs-
ion OF the constitution
He shall have power by and with the advice and con,
The senators present concur; and he shall nominate and
by and with the advie and OF the se a% shall
Judges Of the Supreme Court, and all other officers OF the
wise provided for Which shall be established by law
MIR. A. JOHNSON would ask his colleague if he con.
sdered the similar provision in the ten regiment bill
recti
Mr. STANTON said that provision he had regarded as
unconstitutional. The President could disregard It, if he
chose These Offices were created not for the benefit OF
the Individual incumbents but for the discharge of the
public business. He appehended that If clerks were to
be appointed upon examination, the head OF the depart
ment would thus be exoneraed from proper response
biy for the appointments. He could not see the pro-
prey either OF dischargng an experienced and faithful
clerk, to Introduce person entirely inexperienced
Mr. NlCOLL argued briefly, that the bill was consti
tutional and expedent There from five to eight
hundred clerks employed here-some three hundred in
the Treasury Department alone; and it was impossible
hat the head of the Office should have means to know
generally in relation 10 political services board OF
examiners, if properly constituted cond report correctly
upon the qualifications OF clerk and thereby the SER
vices of competent persons could be secured.
Mr. POLLOCK said, that out OF the eight hundred
clerks employed here, third incompetent.
This bill embraced some provisions that would be bene-
HpIuj tn ha md IN aIndtuI A
man permanently established here clerk, he consd-
cred buried alive After living in this atmosphere for
long time man became incompetent for any valuable
service He opposed to the restriction of appoint
ments to any localities. He wanted honest and capable
men, from whatever part of the country they might come
This bill If It passed would serve also to check the sys-
TEN of appointments on party grounds.
Mr. HOUSTON, of Delaware, did not Che said) think
that there any foundation for the constitutional OBJ
lection urged by the gentleman from Tennessee. If ap-
pointmens were to be made the principle that the
spos belong to the vctors then there should be equal
division Of the spois But he held to the doctrine that
the only inquiry should be- in appointment TO office. is
he honest capable, and faithful to the constitution?
Mr. JOHNSON, of Tennessee, explained that his
amendment did not SAVIOR OF the principle OF spoils.
Mr. HOUSTON said, if the provisions of the bill were
to prevail he appehended that the same principle OF
political favor would be applied. Some standard
test should be established as to qualifications He would
vote for the original BILL and against the amendment
The previous question was ordered and the amend
The question recurring upon Mr. JoHNsoN's amend
men division OF the question called for, and the
vote being taken by yeas and naysrst upon portion
of the amendment providing for apporonment of the
Offices according to represen ation OF the various States
decided in the negative by yeas 81, nays 80.
The question recurring upon the second portion OF the
amendment providing for the arrangement of the clerks
in four classes, class to be discharged every two
years
Mr.. JOHNSON withdrew the same.
After sundry verbal amendments, the bill was then
dered to be engrossed read third tme and passed
and a motion to reconsider the was laid upon the
table
Mr.. HARRISON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bill to provide for the suppression OF
Indian hostilites in the Territory of Oregon and for
other purposes twice, and referred to the Com
mittec OF the Whole on the state of the Union
FOREIGN MAIL SERVICE.
The House, at the suggestion of Mr. CHARLES
BROWN, proceeded TO the consideration of the House
bill to amend provide for the transportation of
the mail between the United States and foreign countries;
which had been returned from the Senate, with amend
ments.
Mr. ROOT of Ohio said that the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads in favor of agreeing to all
the Senate amendments except the third and, it was
important that the bill should be passed at once, he ex-
pressed the hope that the House would take the vote
now, and he therefore moved the previous question;
which was ordered and the question was stated upon
agreeing to all the amendments, except the third.
Mr.. T. B. KING, who desired an opportunity to eX-
anime the amendments, moved that the House adjourn
which motion prevailed, and
The House then adjourned.