The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-12-13


tration than under General Jackson, but the prede
cessor of General jackson did not surround hlmsel
with host of political partisans to ard HIM IN
his reelection, but appointed good and ialthlul
men 10 perform the legitimate duties OF their offices
But, when the late Administration came in, they
found all the offices in the hands Of those who were
its opponents, and the principal Offices filled by
those tho earned their office and who were per-
mitted 10 enjoy them because they opposed the
election of the very party coming into power. lie
had no objection TO the resolution His remarks
were intended only TO draw the attention OF the
country TO the fact that when the causes for many
of these removals could have been given, the reso-
luton was not pressed. w henever the Information
was furnished and the whole matter was under.
stood, then public opinion will decide that General
Taylors Administration was very lenent TO It's OPP
ponents.
Mr. DODGE, of Iowa, defended the Senator from
Maine from the unj ust attack OF the Senator IRON
Ohio He (Mr. d. had the floor the resolu
ton at the last session. and was perhaps the cause
of no vote being had. He delayed action to en-
able him to speak, and when the subject was
taken up, such was the condition OF the President
that he yielded TO the suggestion of the Senator from
Kentucky not to speak on party subject at that
time He stood there TO deny the truth OF
the charge that the Democratic eide Of the Senate
at any time desired that the should not be had
on the resolution. The Senator from Ohio said
that he knew nothing about postmasers, he would
ask the Senator if he knew, and if so, would he
state why every land officer in Iowa, with one cx-
ception, was removed. Why did these men TALL be-
meath the guotne which that Senator, when
Secretary OF the Interior used so actively. Dis
trict attorneys came under the operations of the
Secretary of the Interior; and will the Senator
from Ohio tell why every district attorney was re-
moved with exception? And why that one,
John Norvell, Of Michigan, who used every means,
even the timing of Heaven, 10 disseminate false
hood 10 effect the elections, not only not re-
moved, but actually renomnated TO the
Senate for his office? The Senator should also
state why good and meritorious men were pur-
| sued, and dismissed on the Pacific coast for no
1 ,.al INV
| was LANE removed? Why did they pursue joins
| y. WELLER, and almost before he had commenced
| his labors commissioner TO run the boundary
line, withdraw his commission Mr.. ID. pro-
| nounced this removal unworthy of Herrera or
Paroles and said that il could not have taken place
| in Mexico despite her ever recurring revolutions.
Mr.. WALKER defended the course of the majo-
rity at the last session. and urged the passage OF
| the resolution.
| Mr.. HALE suggested that this resolution be set
| apart for Fridays and Saturdays, and that the
Senate should hold special sessions ON those days
| for its consideration This thing OF removal from
office not such great thing after all. He had
| felt it. He appointed to office and election
eercd for the party appointing him. That party
was defeated, and he was removed. He deserved
| it, he expected. All in office expect to be re-
moved when another party come in. He was
removed by the TYLER administration before 1t
became democratized, otherwise he might have
| held on, for he was then considered demo
cratic enough. But the party in power was
in too great hurry, and he was removed. Ii was
expected that removals should be made. 1t was
once said in hoIncly phrase, that to the ''victors
! belong the spos," and this the Wigs had de-
nuunced. When they come in, however they prac-
tice the same thing under the name of equalization.
Perhaps they might have gone little beyond the
! line OF equation.
Mr. UNDERWOOD said that a resolution SINH
lar to the before the Senate had been passed
in 1929, and he would not oppose this. lie desired,
however, to go further, and he proposed to amend
the resolution by requiring that the removals since
1875 should be reported also.
Mr.. EWING replied TO the alleged cases of pro-
scrpuon in the cases of the removal of Col Weller
and OF Gen. Lane, and urged that the Departments
had good and sufficient reasons for their action in
each Gaze.
Mr.. DODGE replied, defending Gov. Lane and
Z Col. Weller.
| Col, Welers movements, and defended his official
conduct bearing testimony to his industry, ability,
and faithfuness as an officer.
Messrs. CASS and EWING continued the debate
upon the causes and circumstances attending the
! removal of Mr.. Weller
Mr.. CAsS asked if Mr.. Weller had been a Wing,
! and the circumstances were the same, would the
Senator from Ohio have removed him
! Mo. EWING said that, If all the circumstances
were the same, he would have advised the removal
Of MIR. Weller, whether Wing or Democrat.
MIR. WIN again alluded TO the official conduct
| Of Mr.. Weller, and defended il from all injurious
impressions and insinuations.
MIR. BADGER said that, in response to the CUES
ton of the Senator from Michigan, the Senator
from ONO hAd sald tnat ne would unOer the same
| circumstances, have removed Mr.. Weller, he
Wing; certainly the Senator from Ohio had
spoken too fast and without due reflection. Now if
Colonel Weller were Wing, and he was spending
the money fast, and no accounts vouchers com
ing in. the presumption, the strong and inevitable
presumption could be, that being Wing, the
money expended properly and faithfully. and
| consequently there could be no cause for his re-
removal, laughter while on the other hand, the
officer being Democrat, the presumption was the
! other way. Laughter
! Mr.. WHlTCOMB defended General Lane, and
denied that there had been any sufficient cause for
Z his removal on account Of neglect Of duty.
I Mr. MANGUM said that upon the whole he did
not know but the discussion Of this resolution was
ar profitable 20 the old States that of granting
large tracts Of land 10 the States, and there
fore, 10 enable gentlemen to prepare themselves
for Il full discussion he moved that the Senate ad-
journ.
And the Senate adjourned.