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

YEAS Mes.r.; Allen. A.shi.en A.henon. Benton. Boo
patrick, H.mLn, Hunter King, Mason Miles, RusI' Sc
HsTssas Trs%sy 1SS rass Bs pse
CorSln Davis Of Davis OF NJ ssssipp Day
'en, Dodge OF Iowa. Douglas, Downs fitz ses,a oos
Johnson Of Louisiana, Jones' Mangun, Miller, Pearce'
Phsles, spruaase. Underwood UPhan. Wales. Walker
80 the bill was not laid upon the table.
MI CALHOUN. am aware that The Senate is nm
PATENT and do not intend 10 trespass upon Their time
beyond what deem II my duty upon this occasion
This, Air President, very important bill, and ex
ceedlngly regret that imperfecty cquanted with
ITS details and the principles upon which 1t has been
urged al thus time have had further opportunity oil
knowing lis eoniens than hearing II read, and hearing
the discussion disturbed and broken upon by much
noise, that the greater part OF il escaped my ear. also
regret exceedingly that have short period 10 con-
slder H. have noticed, the result OF my expe
Renee, that measure, however important, scarcely
ever urged or opposed TO any purpose at this late period
IN the session Sir no man hope TO get the attention
OF The Senate now, when there Is one continual hustle
agitation, and moving TO and fro Attention cannot DC
commanded, and IT is u eless to expect H. And, SIR rs II
lar 10 urge bill OF this magnitude upon al this time
concur entirely, sr, IN what has been SAID by the Sen
aor from Virginia Mr. MAsoS.l The fact that bill of
The character OF this has been urged upon Congress-
believe from the rs administration OF Washington, and
repeated al intervals down TO the present time, while ii
has never been ayoraby acted upon by Congress, and
there has been particular effort TO get through, is
strong evidence that there is deep IN The people
against IT. Sir, there is something omlnous IN the
preston, interior" This government as so well said
by The senator from Virginia, made to take charge OF
exterior relations. Had there been exterior relations
this government would never have existed Il was found
ell upon the exterior relations OF The Union with foreign
courts, and exterior relations OF States with States and
that, perhaps, 10 very limited extent And now, TO offer
to create an ateno department, is to introduce great
change IN the very principles OF our government
What is the cause We are told that the business OF
our govern has become so great, the depart
men,s have become overloaded that We require new
department, ipo Jdeio What evidence have we of that
Ill,
several departments and ascertain the facts under
stand not We have single communicaton-vo volunteer
far as know perhaps called for by the other House
from single department; and on that authority alone
this. the last day OF the session, when but few
hours remain for legislative action, to have this
measure urged upon Us coming recommended by the
department Those processing opposite political prnc
PIES and friends OF the incoming administration, its
supporters here and that Is very important and sgn
cant fact
If the departments are oyerchared what has been the
cause Has il not resulted from the overaciion OF
government Is II not strong aimoniilon 10 US 10
check to hold H. 10 rerace many OF our steps, instead
OF giving impulse to the government? Or, SIR, sup
pose thai this increased labor has not been the result OF
overachon and overburden: is there no other way 10
rsmeiy u hah oy creating new aeaf'msnt, Depart
much simple and safe form, by increasing the
strength OF the departments themselves by adding assist
ants You have already sci the example IN one OF your
departments the Post Office Department, where there
are three Assistant Postmasters General. Why not IN
trouce the machinery here and contne the abors
o! the department TO their own sphere What answer
be given TO that. | lay il dog rule, founded
upon experience that it is lar better that large classes OF
business analogous to another should be under
general heal nsead OF being divided oil arihcialiy un
der several independent heads All that relates TO
nue. should be under the charge OF the Secretary OF tue
Treasury. All that relates 10 officers of the army and
military operations should be under the control OF the
W ar Department. and so on.
Now, sir, do not know that | am correct about the
facts IN this bat If state them incorrectly, hope
some one will correct me- understand it is propo sell TO
flla rba nj tttt1n at
fairs Well who does not that our Indian affairs
Immediately connected with the War Department. Who
does not that the preservation OF peace and harmony
frontier, both IN and The Indian towns,
depends upon the action OF the War Department. There
Intimate relation between our Indian affairs aud the
War Department, and you cannot separate them without
dong great injury 10 boh.
Next, il is proposed 10 create in this new department
Commissioner OF Customs. Who does not that this
VIII greatly embarrass the uny OF the operations OF our
Treasury Department! Then there Is 10 be the Land Of
nee connected with IT, Who does not see that there is
intimate relation between that office and the Treasury
Department. Ii from The sales of the public lands that
the Secretary OF the Treasury looks for considerable
portion OF the revenue; and there is, therefore,
nexioa betweenhat Office and the Treasury Department
which cannot be disturbed without materially deranylng
the affairs OF the government
Now, sir, 1t appears that we are 10 take bureau
from the Treasury Department, another from tue War
Department, aud Others IRON other departments;
to have commissioner, called the Commissioner of
Customs; and thus we are 10 create new department.
with new machinery under new Secretary, VINO is to
take charge OF all these various offices.
Mr.. ALLEN (ln his seat) II will be another Sccre
tary OF the Treasury.
Mr.. CALHOUN. Yes sir, another Secretary OF the
Treasury. Why, SIR the thing entirely uneXamplei
The Patent Office is to be connected with also, and Ia
ken from the department of the Secretary OF State To
De there not very Intimate relation between the
Patent Office and The State Department. but think il is
quite intimate relation between the Paten, Office
and the Indian bureau, and little more But | wish
to ask question OF gentlemen who advocate this bill
The Patent Office has charge OF the agriculture Of
the country, and submits regular annual report and
very extensive is 1! has charge Of all the stats
tics OF the agricultural operations OF The country Now
sir, proposed transfer that branch OF the duties OF
the COMMISSIONED OF Patents 10 this Home Department.
put that question: whether hs agricultural portion OF
the Patent Uce bureau 10 be transferred to the Home
Department also!
Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi. ! will say, Mr.. Pres-
dent for one. that is OF the blessings hope shall
derive from this organization, that instead OF having
this interference with agriculture which we have had for
several years. the head OF the new department will not
be obliged TO build his reputation upon such statistics
and this interference will therefore be reduced.
MIR. CALHOUN, | am very glad II that Will be the
effect, but that is strongly connected with the
Patent Office that fear il will not avail anything at
tempt to it by such means. Congress has
tried for four years certain knowledge TO limit that
power, but without, success We have got bureau con-
nected with Inc agriculture OF the country and there
another institution of the government connected
with the education OF the country-ihe Smithsonian In
stItutian.
A SENATOR No, sir, that has no connexion with
the government
MI CALHOUN. | think it has grea, connexion The
government is the trustee OF that institution, and five
years viii not pass before will be still intimately
connected with the government. Then there is a pen
Tertiary connected with the department 1t seems as if
everything the face of Gods earth be put 10
gether in this Observation-Disclosures, patents lands