The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-11

These reasons which have stated in brief manner are
py the iime of ihe Senate offer this amendment. 10
give this board trial before enlarge their powers and
also move strike Out Of the oath line the words; "and
their decisions upon all such cases shall Be nai and con-
Mr HUNTER understand the amendment 70 b %
strike out all from the word "is in the 18th line. down
% M1 Nov wHfTcoMs ifas,oi. n No. ,ns no. s''n lns
The PREsIDING OFFICER stated the smsndment.
Mr. HUNTER. That is. then, to have the decsons in
Mr. WiiiTcodBs That Is all.
/ Mr.. HUNTER This board will certainly. in the
ssy are %
The Secretary of the Treasury has many cases-
has Texas cases. Florida cases, and many other eases
such board as his Il You allow them 10 examine ihsss
cases. will be to bring enlightened and intelligent minds
10 the consideration Of these cases and relieve e Tas.
be imposed upon the head Of that department hope,
therefore, the amendment win not prevail.
The question being taken upon the amendment i was
The The PRESIDING OFFICER here suggested Thai
changes must be made in the other sections Of the b in
twelfth section in regard TO allowing the board mes
senger. and striking out that part relating TO chief
Mr. HUNTER said that that could be done BY the gen
Z The PRESIDING OFFICER said il would no. b. ne
had agreed ~ 70 the former amendment and Ibis hi would
be struck out and amended as matter OF form.
The changes :s were accordingly made
the fifth line Of the twelfth section the words eighteen
hundred dollars Per annaI q the salsIy q te shisi
and s9s s + R I hs say e 2
in other departments" win state that there nohiDg
which seems unequal the salaries Of the cerke 81
these departments The chief clerks have authorized
salaries Of $1,000 two at sl.soo; but great
number of the ablest and most competent of the clerks
have salaries Of sl 900 or ~ 200 have long desired
MIR PRATT; doubt very much whether the amend
ment proposed by the honorable senator from Mississippi
i in order The senator from Indiana lMr WHITconll
distinctly made proposition TO amend BY striking out
the word eighteen. and inserting the word .onftn.
and was acted upon BY the Senate Now this prccsi:
with that Of the honorable senator from Indiana The
chief clerk of each department receives about and
the next clerk in rank receives 4o0 90 that the popo
ston is TO leave the bill as Is, or 70 make IT, in elect,
what it would be if the amendment Of the honorable sen
The Presiding OFFICER Does the senator mise
The PaEsIDING OFFICER The Chair thinks that
and other words in connexion with il. il is in order
MIR. BERRIEN. | would say that the object Of the
senator from Mississippi will not be attained By this
men independently Of the chief clerk. who receives
Mr.. cAss suggested that ii would be well to name
The question being stated upon the amendment. was
liz.
BILL by erasng from The 10Th line the wods snd deter
mine, and from the 23d hne the words "the determna
ton Of" and iron the oath line the words 'and their
sve and insert lieu Of the last mentioned woda the
following "and shall report to the head Of such do
parmeni or to Congress their opinion thereon" The
section, If amended. will read:
shall be the duty Of hi. board 10 bear all Gases Pend
in department which may have arisen out of any
% be M 2 inch
may Be referred s By Congress . said board and .hs
opinion thereon NA4
The amendment II adopted. viii remove an objection
which exists in my Judgment TO the bill in lie present
torn, which invests the board with Judicial power % de-
fermine finally and concusvey upon controversies 10
which the United States is party, without giving 10
those who 10 exercise the independent tenure Of
Once prescribed by The constitution a. fora Judge G.s
citizen ought TO be in situation 10 act independently,
and not under the influence Of fear Of removal,
decided Improvement to the bi II would prevsnt he
objection made to that motion ovenue the decision
Of three officers We have beforehand the opinions Of
and could judge whether i would be proper and night
to follow their opinions should be glad 4 the Senate
Mr. Mr. PRxTT This. sir. Is the only smsudneu, osred
yet in the Senate that would make me feel nderenf a
to the passage Of this BILL The only anxiety fes In
gard 10 the passage OF the bill, 10 because behave the
good Of the public creditor impeatvsly demands Il our
hands, act OF justice to him. do not zee, cir. bow
progress at all towards the attainment Of that object
appointed by u.s. according to the theory Of the BILL 70 de-
termine In reference TO rights OF these creditors- 10
only made their duty 10 report TO Congress Why, ar,
the committees report to Congress fou have upon your
table, perhaps hundreds Of bills reporting ID favor Of
the payment OF debts the public creditor These con-
mlnicated here Now the effect OF the amendment u that
these officers, whom we have taken 20 much 6oubk in
this bill TO appoint to examine this subject and report
10 Congress Now, sir in my opinion, II will render the
appointment OF this board entirely useess and would
be, as some gentlemen near me suggest, wAsle of
money. am perfectly willing that any other amsndnent
should be made which win not destroy the eject Of this
bill do not think the Senate ought to Be particular
to the operation Of its details because after the board
see its defects can and viii be amended The great
object s 10 have board established that the public cred
tor may know that his demands are gwen 70 e board 70
examine and TO determine upon them. Congress vii De
competent hereafter at any time to Incoorae 10 ns bill
On amendment changing the mode OF operntson nope,
air this amendment may not be adopted
Mr. BALDWIN Ia regard 10 Ill the other claims
provided by this bill be committed TO this board
already declared that the decision OF the board would Be
reported 10 and acted upon BY Congress All eiaims
founded upon equitable considerations, notwIthszndng
the investigation OF this board, notwihstanding tnerd de-
cisions in regard to the equity Of these clams Ss q oe
whether legal or equitable that 10 be referred % this
board upon ihe same basis would diveet them entirely
Of the exercise Of judicial power, beczuse do n0 be-
eve that il is competent for rs 10 divest this bo OF
any portion Of the Judicial power Of the eovernmea
making their decisions final and concIuGve boh upon
the parties and the government unless they appointed
70 hold their Offices by the same tenure - other judicial
officers