The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-06

diately removed. ! shall be wholly mistaken in
General Taylor's character If he does not render
prompt and decided justice i'll such case. If he
should not do SO, should be prepared 10 renounce
and denounce him myself 1 do not undertake TO
deny or impugn the statement of the Senator from
Indiana, and repeat that If such wrong as that
mentioned by the Senator from Indiana has been
Perpetrated, 1t ought to be redressed promptly.
After all, would ask whether this is the proper
place Tor such inqusitions to be made! l do think
that where there Is probable ground TO believe that
such an abuse has existed, and that there ia dis
posuon shown to correct it, then there is cause for
an inquiry OF more serious character IL the hon
orable Senator says that, from his personal know
LEDGE he knows these charges TO be false and that
the man is suffering in his character, will say il
is most gross and outrageous case, and has only
TO be made sufficiently evident to meet with the
most satisfactory correction.
Mr.. BRADBURY. l would like to inquire of the
Senator from Tennessee whether the heads of de-
partments have not made removals from Office ON
account of political opinions?
MIR. BELL have not seen the heads of depart
ments, or had any communication with them upon
this subject for a considerable time. What princi-
pies they proceed upon In making removals from
offices within their control, cannot state. will
state all that know upon the subject. profess to
have understood General Taylors principles and
professions upon this subjects and in my part of the
country know ofno case of removal affbrding any
just ground to impute deception fraud on the
public, and do not think that there has been any
ground for such complaint any where. l know,
there have been applications for removals. far as
they have come to my knowledge, some deficiency
of qualification the part Of the person already in
Office, or some active intermeddng with elections,
neglect Of official duties other special cause
has been required to be made out to the satisfaction
ofthc President of the department having the con-
troll of the appointment, and where no such cause
was shown, there has been removal There
were, however, two instances which came under my
knowledge Of cause assigned which regarded as
sufficiently established, and gave my opinion to
that effect to be filed in the proper department. yet
my opinion was overruled, and the removals were
not made Upon my arrival at Washington last
fall, felt an interest to know upon what princi-
Piles the Administration were proceeding in making
removals. had seen great deal in various De-
mocratic papers, and especially the Union, about
the gross violations of General Taylor's pledges,
and about his having got into power upon false
pretences; and the first thing did when got here
to inquire of some of the members of the Cabi-
net, and General Taylor himself, the policy and
principles which had been adopted on this subject.
then learned that the principles upon which they
acted were precisely those which have stated to-
day. could hear of but one or two cases where
thought the grounds were not made out to my
tire satisfaction; but these were at the commence
ment of the session. There may have been some
other rule adopted since that time; but if there
has, must say that am not cognizant of the fact