The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-10
Nj. DAWSON. | would like 70 make one obssrva-

hii. Ia Nv oVtv. woui1 ike 70 make one ooseIsa- l
The PRESIDING OFFICER The question Of order
being raised the Chair must decide without debate II
fined TO the question involved in this amendment; which
is, whether the President shall have power
ihose pesons appontedto once under the bill but go
into general discussion to the exercise OF the power
OF the President In regard to the removal Of particular
Individuals is not in the opinion OF the Chair, in accord
aoce with the range Of debate which should be allowed
sssippi and Tennessee have thus far, taken wider
scope than would be allowable, the Chair tees bound
the question OF order being raised, TO make this de-
Mr. BELL hoped the senator would give way, that the
debate might 90 on He wished to say word in reply
sion would be allowed TO 60 on He would say that he
concued in what his colleague had said IN regard to the
s Ths PREs lbs OFFICER The Chair has decided
the question OF order and il il is desired, an appeal
be taken from that decision.
Mr.. BELL. ! wanted to say word in reply to the
The PRESIDING OFFICER called the senator to or
Mr.. TURNEY. tcontinuing) suppose am in or.
MIR. FoOTE. II my friend will give way. | will mere
" sugges-but do not know whether il would be in
order do II the Chair has decided that this discus
sion is not in ORDER will not raise any objection to the
decision of the Chair.
The PRESIDING OFFICER The Chair has decided
the question OF order The senator from Tennessee can
under discussions which is the power OF the President to
remove for ncapaciy, any Of the officers TO be APP
MI TURNEY Then am not permitted, if under
stand the Chair to speak Of any individual of
val from Office. will then postpone my remarks upon
this topic until another time, when the resolution of the
senator from Maine shall again come up for consdera
ton
will. however submit very few words TO the SEN
ate giving the why shall vote against the prop
osition 10 amend this bill not Of those who
entertain the opinon-athough this power of removal
has been greatly abused as much SO under the present.
nd t.Ictru md Annhf MT
abused under democratic administrations, too for con-
slider all cases of removal for opinions sake
abuse of power--that il ought 10 be taken away, do
not hesitate to express the opinion that there has not
been removal in the State OF Tennessee but what
an abuse OF power Notwithstanding this is power
that may be thus abused hold that is sound con-
servative power. and one that ought to exist
Now, Mr.. President, these officers 10 be nothing
more less than auditors They exercise controlling
upon The most delicate cases for an appeal is 10 be
taken under this bill where the auditor OF the treasury
orders claim TO be paid but only where he has rejected
claim You then take an appeal from the auditor to
the power to issue requistion upon the treasurer and,
having reversed the decision OF the auditor they draw
upon the treasury for the money.
Nh. HUNTER. II the senator will allow me, will
correct his msapprehenson regard to tn provision OF
the bill The board to decide such of appeal
may be referred them by the special order OF the Sec
Rotary Of the Treasury. The senator seems to be under
the impression that appeal only be taken by the
claimant whereas can also be done BY the head OF the
MI TURNKEY was. then. very little mistaken for
the Secretary OF the Treasury Department would
make reference unless the auditor in great doubt
about paying it in other words, he would never make
this reference TO the board unless the auditor had given
his decision adverse the claim When that is done, the
party claiming would apply to the Secretary for the oPn
ion OF the Attorney General whose opinion aud decision
is final upon that application So here, under this bill
where the auditor finds the claim TO be just one, he
allows him to pay it He never thinks OF applying TO the
body Il is not to be supposed that all the claims to
be reauded and re-examined by this board. They
would no, have he power nor Inc ms % 40 H. q y.
way clearly where he feels that peponderance OF es
timony would be adverse the claim, that would
find It's way into this board and correct then, in
supposing that the decision OF this board would be final
and that upon the warrant oil this board money would be
taken out OF the treasury.
Now, sir, for one, am unwilling this pow
er OF removal. as have admitted. has been greatly
abused and perhaps, will continue to be abused as long
government exsts-,hus TO expose and leopard the
treasury itself for the sake OF striking at the abuse OF the
power will illustrate. Here is your board and, if
you please they allowing every claim brought before
them BY appeal OF the party HIMSELF or by the refer
all and the President becomes satisfied that they
doing wrong-that they are acting corrupy, or, you
please, acting without due qualifications ability Tor the
discharge OF their duties, and the treasury suffering i'm
mensely in consequence Will be said that this must
be permitted to 60 for months, and until Congress shall
assemble am then that the shall be carried before
the Senate, in the time allowing the money to lie
dead for months before action be had giving the adj
vice and consent OF this body for its removal. No,
sir will prefer the risk OF the abuse OF power
/ will enable the President to remove those who
acting unfaithfully | will hold him responsible
for any abuse of power; and thus ] will enable
him, far as can, TO protect the treasury against pecu
laton. This is my objection TO the amendment de-
sire the power 10 exist in regard TO all these treasury
officers, and in regard TO every officer whose warrant
reach the treasury and extract money from IT, desire
the President 10 continue have the power OF removing
them and abuse arising from political considerations
will ever induce TO change what regard a sound
and wholesome principle These considerations sir, in.
duce to vote against the proposition to amend and in
favor OF the bill as il originally stands.
MIR. HALE have misunderstood this BILL IN the ex-
position given by the honorable senator from Virginia,
Mr. HusTER,] and the senator from Tennessee, lMr:
TuRHEy as 10 the amendment concerning the power OF
these officers. have understood them TO say that they
entitled TO draw warrant upon the treasury. They
simply examine the claims, believe, and then come to
Congress for appropriation to pay them
Mr.. HUNTER. They have additional powers. They
examine founded upon law, such now tried
by auditors and comprolers, and appeals are taken to
them under the direction of the Secretary of the depart
men and such cases as these are tried upon appeal
They be considered board of accounts in mat
tiers OF law but where the claim is founded upon equta
BILE considerations, they then only recommend u to Con-
gress
Mr.. HALE. Exactly; in regard TO all this class OF
claims that are now tried by Congress- and that pro-
posed to be referred TO this board, the board has no
power to make draft upon the treasury and all cases
which they have right 10 make draft are cases IN
which the accounting officer has the right 10 pay
that the creation OF this board does not confer upon
these officers any new power whatever, but the con-
rary, il remains exactly as il was before.
But want to say word or two upon the general
question before the Senate | very much appTehend