The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-10

,,pon the prncpe Of prescription Tor opinions sake and
We 1Ss dss totally regard g he sss q the
mi administration say tis not prescription 10 remove
any public officer for what has been held heretofore 10
and some Of his successors understand that General
TayoF has not Goceeded in any OF his acts upon the
ground that he had the power II he had the power,
that he held il proper or expeden that he thought
il his duty that i coniormabe 10 sound republic
principles, 10 execute that power BY removing any
officer from his station upon the ground of mere diff
ference OF political opinion do not know OF any such
case although as said the other day. have made dgent
inquiry ascertaned that there two three
cases in which could not see distinctly the ground
the principle upon which the President had proceeded
But do not wish to pursue this subject further inthe
discussion OF this bill w
The honorable senator seems to think that this is
BY me- s PSI s
the honorable senator that, though my course has
been humble, and not attracting the attention OF
the country, so much as that OF more distinguish
ed gentlemen who have occupied seats in this or in
the other branch OF Congress, have devoted for five
six years, large portion OF my time TO the Investigation
OF this subject and while there ray OF hope in
either branch OF the national legislature OF bringing the
majority proper OF what considered the true
principle OF the consuton0f what considered the es
sentia policy of the country preserving the purity OF
the elective franchise ORDER and the permanent stability
OF this goveTnmenI perseyered IN attempting to enforce
the same principles for which have commended to-day.
repeat sir that for six years very large portion oil my
time as member Of the other House, was devoted this
subject in the investigation OF these principles, and IN
endeayoring to press upon that body the necessity OF
adopting measure that would 10 remedy the
evils OF the uncontrolled power claimed for the President
to remove at his discretion, without any assignment
Of cause and particularly without any cause at all other
than difference of political opnoR But with regard 10
this question: say that Il proper subject for
consideration at this time, and forbear
One remark more When il 10 proposed to establish
board which shall have the control over millions OF dol
lars annually, standing In the place OF accountant
general OF all claims of the United States, not in
the last resort truly but understand the provisions Of
fha IL.
Tor after such board we propose to constitute shall
have passed upon case will be very extraordinary
case. indeed, in which the Senate the Congress Of
the United States shall undertake review override
its declsion-when il is proposed to establish such a
board, repeat, what more important occasion
up what more important measure there arise for the
assertion OF the power OF Congress this absolute and
power claimed for the President in removing
from Office
Twill barely state, sir. while am up, that this bill,
although fav0rite measure with me, and has been for
many years, and which If il is impossible to perfect
now we shall be able TO amend hereafter-one which
consider OF the greatest importanceyet sir my interest
in and my vote will depend very much upon the OF
Office prescribed for the members OF the board and upon
the principle which Congress shall establish in relation TO
the power OF the Executive them Men not to be
and take up their residence at Washington for period
of three four, live, six years. ,ubt whether
any man Of competent ability and other essential quail
fcatons throughout the whole country, be got
to Washington and take upon himself the discharge
Of the high ly responsible duties of the Office proposed
70 be created by this BILL to be removed at the pleasure Of
the President and feel all the time that his office be
held subject to the changing interest caprice OF party
and faction.
IT, sir these officers are to be subject to the temptation
OF conforming their decisions and principles to the be-
hess Of party, Of changing them from time TO time,
to the changing tides and fortunes OF party
then shall be strongly inclined to oppose the whole
Mr. FOOTE. The senator from Tennessee has done
me serious injustice in supposng that had designed to
accuse the administration OF having practised pIoserp
tion Whatever may be true upon this point, have
not designed to press any such accusation in regular
way myself upon this occasion. have endeavored 10
avoid, far possible the presentation of any distinct
charges OF dshonoring character against the admins
tration have repeatedly declared, and have acted on
that declaration that the b0unden duty OF all oil
here to exhibit nothing like facous opposition TO
the exercise Of its legitimate powers, of maturing and
carry ing into execution such measures oil policy as
might, in their Judgment be best calculated to promote
the happiness OF the whole country well in regard TO
its domestic or lis foreign certainly mscon
ceived the senator from Tennessee most grevousy since
did understand him evincng in his speech, Just now
discussions of this body, in connexion with grand
scheme OF reform, OF which he has become the earnest
champion, and really supposed that his zeal had been
chiefly by recent occurrences. The senator
Of the constituent portions OF political
creed of which, he informs us he for six years an
public life yet that it is nevertheless true that he has
been for years past quite silent the subject So far
have been able learn this is the first de veopment OF
his views here. however faithfully retained by him, and
al one time warmly expressed in the other wing of this
Capitol Now, nasmuch he has been here for three
years past and has been thus far perfectly silent upon
this topic, was moi authorized, extent, to draw
the conclusion that he, like others, has
thing in recent proceedings OF the government touching
the displacement OF officers which appeals 10 him
patriot all believe him TO be, seek the earliest
opportunity OF making his opinions known 10 the public,
and especially TO those in power with view to bringing
to close those scenes oil prescription. which have
and awakened serious apprehensons as to the
cy Of our free institutions
IL have into any in regard TO this matter,
regret the fact most deeply II erred in supposng that
the senator from Tennessee earnest he was IN his
language just has nothing in the present trans
and to prompt that fervd appeal 10 which have listen
ed with 90 much pleasure upon this occasion, am sure
that what have said least at all calculated TO
dsparage him in public estimation The honorable
tor complains in breath OF abuses crying abuses, and
evils, which he says exist, and need once
says that looking the condition OF things in the
country he such evils at all, and insists that
none such exist II no instance OF prescription has
cnrred under this administration, feel authorized
ser that there earthly need OF that plan OF reform
which the senator has been warmly advocating this
morning because II is certain that prescription never
yet have occurred in the whole history OF the government
One proposition, venture TO presume, that neitherthe
senator IRON Tennessee any other senator will ven.
ture to dispute and that that much larger number OF
expulsons from Office have taken place under this admin
israfon for some cause for whatever, than
ever occurred under any other, and perhaps might say
than all others put together therefore, il there has been
no abuse OF the power OF displacement praclsei under
this administration, Il would appear that such evil as
for he has