Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-01-12

Mr. DAWSON. My mode Of attack is always to march |
directly to the object aimed know the honorable Sena
Tor from New York distinguished LAWYER and he knows
ha' the law presume that every does his duty till the
contrary is made to appear. The gentleman calls sub
ordinate officer to learn whether the President has done his
duty Would it have been better would it not at least
have shown higher degree of magnanmy, to have called
the President and asked him if he had permitted subal
tern to usurp his power repeat with due respect to the
honorable Senator from New York. that do think he has
taken the proper mode ascertain the Of the President
Of the. United States.
Mr. PHELPS desire to make no issue with the hon.
oabe Senator from New York this question, and for the
reason which before suggested, desire that the question
may be delayed have examined the resolution it may
be right but in my judgment it will establish precedent
which we cannot entertain consitutonaly. do not wish
for the FIRST time to adopt resolution which does not fall
within our constitutional sphere have objection to in
quries am informed and have doubt Of the fact that
the Postmaster General will be able any questions
which the gentleman from New York may make. have no
idea that be has assumed powers belonging the President
TO this body 1t is not for the purpose Of shielding him that
make these remarks, and believe he will meet the inquiries
my habe Judgment precedent for inquiries which
not only not CONSTITUTIONAL but which have the effect Of
asperson upon the President himself hope the resolution
may lie over till an opportunity may be had to examine it,
Mr.. SEWARD. have examined the resolution for the
purpose OF seeing If 1t contained any thing Objectionable and
am satisfied that there is information demanded by that
is not The right, and which might be, under cir
cumstances the duty Of any Senator to call for The only
particular instance Of any person place in
nexion with the supposed violation Of law should prefer
that did rs would operate guide to the Postmaster
General However, if my colleague thinks that is
rous objection to the resolution hope Senators will allow it
to pass to-day.
Mr.. HALE. feel particular interest in any question
between the Administration and its asaan do know
what matters the solution of the Senator from New York
REFERS but strikes me there is something ndecoous in it.
1t asks public officer If the Government if he has not been
guilty of gross breach of duty for which the Senate could
punish himby impeachn vent expulsion This is position
in which have desir to place any As said be-
FORE feel no great ntere in the fight between the Admin
isttion and its assaants whether they point
blank quaitering but have hope, though is not
strong and abiding that day will yet dawn on this
republic when there will be Administration in power in
which shall feel sympa thy do not want now, there
ae to establish the precedent example of the right and
power of the Senate by soe un legislative act to PROFOUND
the question Cabinet officer Have you not started in
the administration Of your Dep artment IN gross and papabe
vaon of the law and the const uuon " That at rate
is what the resolution amounts substance in other
Words asking him if the President not such auto
stand still and allow him to pull the wires The
resolution goes further, and says: you have done
t where did you get the law to authorize you to do 1.-THE
S.S wan, 10 know t." If such things as are here init
mated have been done Is subject for and not
INQUIRY such agran ant dagitious conduct was per-
p,traed, it should be brought before the a.. 49,
capacity and also due the people that the facts should
b. laid before the country ready to ask for all the in
formation that the Administration any body else has to
gve for think information will not hurt the Senate. They
in need Of it. only this but many other subjects.
But am opposed putting in the shape OF inquiries for in
formation gross attack any of the officers of this Govern
ask pardon of those intimately connected with
this Administration for volunteering my humble services in
this matter because the President has champions here who
will fail before the gigantic powers of the experience
Senator has made me upon them only de-
srs to put in protest. that andby when different
shall be in power here this resolution shall not be precedent
for a renewal of similar course of conduct.
A. ol,,,ar
is either ndecorous improper, the gentleman who have
spoken to the contrary notwithstanding Was ndecorous
ask the Postmaster General whether he had made certain
appointments removals Why, my friend from New
Hampshire Mr HALE, who speaks in double capacity
friend Of this Administration, and also of the next to
come, and who insists that the passage OF this resolution
would be breach Of decoruu calls this Senate for act
Of impeachment, aud for the removal from Office of high
unctionay of the Government make such suggestions
leave all that to the defenders of Administration who
seek up at the very Of their
here, their conduct; who unwilling resolution
should ask whether they have done certain will not
go far will not pass Judgment these any other
matters until they before But it is my right and
duty to make the inquiries propose, with view to legsa
tive action If the laws evaded in this particular they
should be amended if they violated they must be made
stringent and difficult Of violation and to do this
must have this information.
But told must not proceed. They cannot an
without eliminating themselves. If there other
sderatons which grow out of it. will not speak OF them
will leave ii for my riend who speaks Of parliamentary de-
corum. have made assault this Administration
When do, Of friends the other side shall seek for
it in any indirecon Sir, will strike with the point OF
my spear the shield of their Du Bos Gberts. think the
resolution should be passed without debate If every thing
has been entirely right and there has been violation OF
law, is all WE'LL simply resolution calling for inor-
nation, su6h had the right to offer. have had
believe that there has been of appointment
in the Post Office Department not entirely proper and wish
the Postmaster General give explanation of the subject
These are my reasons for offering the resolution.
Mr.. PHELPS have taken the opportunity ill further
to examine the resolutions and agree with the gentleman from
Georgia that the inquiry if properly made at oil, could on
y be directly Of the Executive There has been violation
law by Of the subornate have objection to its
being made publc but this resolution, without any prem-
mary CHARGE calls upon the subordinate to say whether he
has been guilty Of gross usupaon Of power not. And
the concluding clause asks him under what law he acted in
doing The tendency of the adoption Of the resolution OBJ
vous We to have long correspondence with the Post
General for certainly if he is arragned before this
body he will have be allowed his explanations This
clearly the proper The charge should be
substantated before il thus circulated Besides for the in
formation the ereeed to- the President is the proper
to apply to.
Mr. DICKINSON. There or two reasons why the
inquiry should be made Of the President First is well
understood that he leaves all these matters to the Cabinet
Another h that he know nothing of this matter
except through the Post Office Department 1t is preferable,
therefore, to appeal directly the Postmaster General.
Mr.. KING. l believe the custom has been to call upon
the heads of Departments for information only rs to matters
pertaining their Offices This resolution calls upon the
Postmaster General for information matter not pertain
ing his Office but to tha. Of the Executive am unw-
ling upon unprecedented course to adopt
resolution Of this character ready and desrous get
all the information that be needed hope the Senator
will suffer the resolution to lie for the present.
Mr.. DICKINSON. have objection to its lying over,
10 give gentlemen opportunity TO examine it and should