The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-19

the gentleman after the disclaimer but the resolu-
ton stands on the records Of the country.
Mr.. BAYLY remarked, that the letter which he
had spoken of was not addressed TO the Secretary
OF the Treasury but to the Secretary OF the Int
rior.
Mr.. ASHMUN. Ifthe cali was made on the Sec
rotary OF the Interior, why are the charges made
against the Secretary of the Treasury?
MIR. DISNEY said, that the charges are SO seri-
Gus, that they should be investigated. If ascer-
tanned TO be true, they would lead TO the impeach
ment OF the officer He had learned OF his col
league (Mr. SwEETzER) that the facts charged are
true; that on the 9th OF June, lS47 under the adj
ministration of Mr. Polk. y 1862, 900 transfer
red from the surplus fund to the general treasury
of the nation, and that in December, IS49 the pre-
sent Administration did take from the treasury
this money, and re-approprate il without author
ity Of law.
Mr.. CASEY remarked that the charges were
made against man as honorable any one in
this hall He considered the proceeding as miser
able pettifogging, unworthy the House and the
country. He had right to know what authority
the charges were made Who is your author?
Dare the gentleman bring him before this House?
Mr.. SWEETZER. desire TO say, in this pre-
liminary proceeding, that will not suffer my feel
ings to be excited, or suffer myself TO be turned
aside from the course ! desire to pursue. Alta
proper time the gentleman shall be gratified with
an exhibition in this hall OF all the facts act
with a view to a solemn discharge of public duty,
and state what believe to be true; and, so help
me God, will discharge my. duty faithfully.
Mr.. CASEY asked a question, to which
right of the gentleman to PROFOUND it.
Mr.. CASEY said that, as the gentleman had
made the charge, he should give his authority for
it. He recognised no right to assail the character OF
the Secretary, and charge him with peculation
and it appeared to him that the resolution was es-
pecially worded to reflect on the character and
conduct of that officer The gentleman from Lou
isiana (Mr. MoRsE) deserved the thanks of the
country for the magnanimous stand which he had
taken. He was sure that gentlemen on that (thc
Denocratic) side were not SO blinded by bigotry or
prejudice as TO deny justice. The Secretary OF the
Treasury will come out of the ordeal like gold tried
in the fire.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, said that some
six weeks or two months ago there referred to
him the items Of the Indian appropriation bill for
examination. There were certain items of reap
preparation of the surplus fund He visited the
department to see what items remained unpaid
and not paid when the money went to the surplus
fund. In response to an inquiry, he was told that
when money had been carried to the surplus fund
it could be drawn again To this he (Mr Il } re-
piled that if such rule should prevail there would
be no end Of the appropriations. Mr.. Ewing
said that the rule had been made and carried out in
the case of the Seminole Indians; that he had need
of the money which carried to the surplus fund
in June, 1877, and had drawn a warrant the
treasury, and that il had been paid Ii was the
opinion Of Mr.. Ewing that the money had been
improperly carried to the surplus fund He Mr.
t. believed now, as he did then, that it was inn
proper for the Secretary 10 Withdraw the money.
The Committee of Ways and Means put into the
Indian bill the items of reappropriaton, and did not
purpose to pursue the subject.
Mr.. VINfON. Did not Mr. Ewing say that the
money was irregulary and improperly carried to
the surplus fund,
Mr.. THOMPSON. He took that ground
MIR. VlNToN. Did not the same thing occur un.
der previous administration enormously
carried to the surplus fund-and the books of the
treasury corrected
Mr.. THOMPSON. The Secretary of the Interior
admitted that il was dangerous principle, and he
said that there three or four precedents. I'm
m fiery ard5 he MIR \ cd fnr he
statement in writing; and from that day to this the
call has never been answered.
Wr. ASHMUN. How long since?
MIR. THOMPSON. 1t may have been two months
ago.
Mr.. ASIiMUN asked several questions, which
MIR. THOMPSON answed by saying that he had
not investigated the proprety OF directing the mo
ney to be drawn from the surplus fund. lie had
not asserted that il improperly carried there.
lie only said that il drawn OF the treasury
on the warrant Of the Secretary of the Interior. He
WAS for investigation
Mr.. HOUSTON. Ii this was a proper subject of
inquiry, why did not the gentleman call the atten
ton OF the House TO III
Mr.. THOMPSON | wrote a letter to the Secre-
tary OF the Interior to give me the facts.
Mr.. STRONG said that resolution for investi.
CATION by committee implies charge; and he
asked whether the facts could not be asceraned by
a resolution OF inquiry
Mr.. THOMPSON Money in the treasury can
not be drawn without an appropriation by law. The
committee can inquire whether this has been done
or not.
Mr.. KING, Of New Jersey said that it would be
courteous, manly and fair, TO give 20 the Secretary
the benefit OF an explanation; and he condemned
the bringing of charges against the Secretary to
inJure his reputation.
Mr.. SWEETZER repeated, that the charges
against the Secretary were in his official capacity
The resolution charges, not that the money has !
been stolen, but taken out of the treasury without
authority of law.
MIR. KING, of New Jersey, asked the House to
reconsider its hasy action; lac desired for the Sec
rotary of the Treasury but simple justice.
Mr.. CABLE, OF Ohio. ] ask the gentleman whe- |
Their he does not know that the Cabinet have con
demned the act?
Mr.. KING am not acquainted with the pro
ceedings Of the Cabinet
Mr.. CABLE. heard that the Cabinet had con-
demned the act.
MIR. STANTON, Of Tennessee, after listening TO |
the debates, had come TO the conclusion that IL |
would be a graceful act 10 reconsider the resolu-
ton. Il appeared 10 him that nothing disgraccful
or corrupt is suspected. Every thing that can be /
obtained by a committee Of investigation can be /
obtained by resolution of inquiry. Why should |
a resolution be passed 20 the Secretary Of
the Treasury, then, for doing nothing more wrong |
than to mistake an act Of CongressY lie should
thus act more for his respect for the Democratic |
party than for the Secretary Of the Treasury. Such
an investigation az that ordered, IL could not be
denied, implied censurc. IL unnecessary, when
Nc facts could be arrived ut in another way. Out
Of respect TO themselves, they ought 10 adopt this
course.
MI hOOi COntendcd mat thcre could be no ne
cessty for committee ofinvcstigation.
Mr.. McLANE said that the Secretary Of the
Treasury had nothing 10 do with the question UNI
der the law. II there any violation Of the law,
i must be by the President for, in response the
Secretary Of the Interior the President directed the
Secretary Of the Treasury 10 draw a warrant lie
was against a select committee, and wished the
Of Ways and Means to make the in.
1uiry.
Mr.. TUCK said that the report ON the case Of the
Doorkecpcr was laid upon the table, because II was
loo small n m tier. lie saw no reason why the
subject now before them should not be similarly
disposed Of, for certainly IL was Less important
Mr.. lNGE moved TO lay the motion TO reconsider
upon the table.
Mr.. TUCK demanded tho previous question.
The SPEAKER, in reply TO a question asked by
MIR. VfSroS, said that II the motion 30 reconsider
be laid upon the table, the resolution Of Mr. SWEET
zER would stand II passed
The demand for the previous question was sec
Dnded, and
The vote by which the resolution was adopted
was rccOnsidercd--yeas 1875, nays 81
The question now REQUIRED on it, adoption, when
Mr.. SWEETZER said that he had offered IL in
discharge Of his public duty, believing that the