The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-23


report. originating in Washington has become cur
to the effect that Mr. Ewing the Secretary of the
Interior thinks thai the law creating department
transfers to its head only particular bureaus and the
clerks employed in them. We do not pretend 10 know
whether Nr Ewings views in this behalf have been
recty reported nor indeed whether the umor has any
foundation other than in the imagination OF some Wash
ngton letter writer The Law is plain and explicit and.
although the Secretary OF the Interior has established
high character as poscptonist yet we viii not believe
without satisfactory evidence than possess
that he intends plead the plain requirements Of an act
OF Congress tor lis deliberate violation The
bill creating the Department OF the Interior provides that
the Secretary of the Interior shall exercise and perform
all the acts OF supervision and appeal in regard the
Patent Office, the General Land Office the Indian Bursau
the Pension Office. the officers employed in taking the
census, the mines of the United States, public buildings
the warden and inspectors Of the penitentay Of the Dis
trct Of Columbia, and the accounts OF marshals, &c,
heretofore performed By the heads of other departments
With respect these branches OF the public service the
Secretary of the Interior simply performs the supervisory
duties of which other secretaries have been relieved The
18th section of The act is in these words:
"Ana fhsr enacted That the Secretary OF the In
terror IS hereby authorized 10 apPon, chief clerk OF MS
department.. who shall receive salary OF two thousand
dollars per and that the President Of the United
states, The ,mend alton OF the said Secretary Of the
Interior, may transfer on the Treasury Departme prop
or, 10 the Department Of the Interior such clerks The
office Of the Secretary OF the Treasury perform the duties
over which the supervision and control by this
soi 10 the Secretary Of the Interior which said clerks shall
be hereafter subject 10 the appointing and removing
Of the Secretary OF the INTERIOR also the clerks in the
several bureaus heretofore appointed removable by the
head; OF departments which bureaus are transferred by
This act to the Department Of the Interior.
This section seems 10 be clear and explicit Il gives
10 the new secretary the power of appointing chief clerk
ande mpowers the President OF the United States MS
recommendation, to transfer from the Treasury Depart
men proper 10 the Department OF the Interior such clerks
in the office Of the Secretary OF the Treasury perform
the duties which the and control given
TO the Secretary of the Interior Then and not till then
these clerks will be subject TO the appointing and
moving power OF the Secretary of the Interior also the
clerks the several bureaus heretofore appointed or re
movable by the heads OF departments which bureaus
transferred 10 the Department OF the Interior The bureaus
transferred along with thercerks to the DEPARTMENT. of
the INTERIOR rather, the Secretary OF The Interior is
appointed TO supervise them at present constituted
and the clerks which the President may transfer from
the Treasury Department be transferred, when
they Will under the appointing and removing power
OF Mr.. Ewing. This is the plain mesnn. OF the act OF
Congress; and Mr. Ewing cannot, in the face OF the
law get nd OF the clerks which perform the duties
thai have been placed under his supervision without
moving them from office Tie idea that the law
them for him is utterly unienable.