Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-14


draw the Inference from his remarks whether intended
not do undertake say that this wholesale system Of
removals made account Of the unfhfulness OF the in
cumbents and in order that efficient might be put
in Office plain TERMS that but uniaithul
efficient men removed Now, if such the allegation,
If such is the ground of Defence let us understand it, Even
TO this day there TO be unwngness to admit that
these made from political considerations alone
trust that the information may be given, add then the hon
orabs Senator will have opportunity to make expana
ton, and we will be prepared to meet 1t.
Mr. MANGUM. II is within the recollection of the Sem
that this resolution occupied many days during the last
session. 1t will also be remembered that was discussion
of surprising interest to the Senate for upon occasion
very eloquent made speech Of three days upon it,
which was listened by five Senators and the unfortunate
Vice President think the Senate has become tired of this
whole thing The occasion for this resolution has passed
away. The have passed away 1t is impossible now
to derive from the passage of this resolution any information
that would DO interesting to the country All that has gone
forth in the speeches Of gentlemen The great object Of the
resolution seemed be to make speeches the subject
They have been made They have been printed hut can
not say whether or they have been read think that
we can derive information upon the subject that will be
interesting useful to the country, in addition TO what has
already been published in speeches. which have been crcu
lated far and wde had better get this resolution out of the
way and proceed the proper business of the country.
Without any all Of cutting off the public from any in
formation which would be useful or interesting move that the
matter lie on the table. ....
Mr.. SEWARD Will the Senator withdraw the motion
for a few minutes to allow me to say few words
| Mr.. MANGUM. Certainly withdraw the motion.
| Mr.. SEWARD. ] wish only to say that believe
there member Of the Senate partial in his favor
towards the last Administration than was, and yet that
there was no period during the existence of that admnsa
ton that would not have voted for this resolution in the form
in which is proposed that it shall receive the action OF
the Senate. hold that the people of this country are entitled
to information about the number Of removals that made by
any administration and that the Senate legislative body
may properly call for tina. information spread before the
country should have voted for the resoutonn its orr
gna FORM because think would have been attempt by
the Senate invade the rights and responsibilities
OF the Executive department My object in rising, therefore,
say that cannot perhaps might be expected to DO
friend of the last administration, vote lay hs amended
resolution the table, and that perfectly willing that
the information should go the country OF the whole num-
Der Of removals that made by the last administration
and 60 under all the disadvantages under which that admins
traon will labor by the death Of its chief and by the dis
persion its members. Still believe that that administration
will stand vindicaed by the country against all the unavor
able differences which may be drawn from the manner in
which the subject will go before them.
Mr. EWING. Mr.. President the honorable Senator from
Maine has given very special explanation Of the why
he did not bring bis resolution to vote at the last session.
Allow me- however, to say that if he had been really in
earnest, if he had desired to to vote II was clearly
within his power to have pressed it to vote noticed the
progress the resolution, and noticed there great deal
Of yielding the pressure of circumstances the part of that
gentleman The resolution quite imposing in appear
ance, and proposed in somewhat imposing But
now have observed the for these removals
not be answered, but be left conjecture The sena
tor, however says that am here and may answer. He
instances subject Of complaint the removal Of 400 post
masters What does the honorable Senator suppose
know about the removal of posmasters What does he
suppose had TO do with them The honorable Sena-
tor evidently knows much and more about them than do.
He to know how many removed in single year,
which never knew, and do not now know except from his
statement =. .... <'. .&t.
The honorable Senator inquiries whether wish to be
understood saying that these removals made for other
IN a a.
the removals Many Of them made becatse the in
dvidua not worthy independently Of political causes
Many made because the individuals appeared to
have obtained their appointments for no other merit than po
cs services and to preserve them upon other tenure
than those services The honorable Senator that at the
Of Gen. Jacksons administration there
but four hundred removals Of posmasters He does
the number of other officers removed in the first
year Of that administration admit that the number Of
mova of posmases and other officers much less than
under the late administration But why Because the
decessor Of Gen Jackson had surrounded himself with
host of political parsans whose business to sustain and
support his administration and aid in his election He had
appointed fit for the execution of their
official duties; whom there could be to remove,
except for political And Of the number of existing
officers at that time but small proportion friends of the
past and opponents of the incoming administration When
Gen. Jackson into power he found the Offices OF the
country largely in the hands of his political partisans but
incoming Of the past administration almost every man that
in Office adherent, and warm adheren OF the
previous administration All the public offices were IN the
hands the opponents Of Gen. Taylor and the laws which
he was bound execute would have be executed by
officers he failed change them who his and
determined opponents; who had received Office as
ward for opposing him, and who held their offices the
tenure Of this opposition. This the difference in the
state Of things the incoming of the two administrations
But should any take the number Of officers at the in
coming Of Gen. Jacksons administration; take the number in
Office that opposed him, and the number OF bis friends
and adherents Office and take the number OF officers that
existed the incoming of the past administration, take the
number in Office opposed to that administrations and the
Der favor of and strike balance between the two by the
rules Of proportion, the late administration will compare most
favoraby with that of Gen. Jackson any subsequent adj
| minsraton upon that side .. .... ... r....
have no doubt that these things perfectly under
stood by the public. have question that the people at
large generally know the truth Of the have doubt
that the people large know Just about much relation
to the number Of removals made by the last administration
do or as the honorable Senator from Maine does And
have possible objection to the record being made out and
document printed circulating and dfusng it. have
objection TO the Senator's resolution at all spoke of this
merely call public attention the crcumstonceso let the
nation why this subject not pressed during the last
session of Congress- and why it is proposed And
have made these few brief remarks call attention to the diff
eren condition Of things existing at the time referred to by
the honorable Senator and the incoming Of the past adj
mnislraon. Let the comparison be made, and have no
doubt all that just public opinion will show that General
TAYLOR lenent public officers whose political opinions
differed from his. faa S.~i as t.... ass
| Mr.. DODGE, Of Iowa. Mr.. President, have few
words to say this subject and wish first to do act of
Justice to my friend from Maine, (Mr. BRADBURr) feel
that it duty owe TO defend him from the unjust mpu-
taon boldly made by the Senator from Ohio, (Mr Ew1sG
He charges the Senator from Maine with nsncety in offer
ing bis resolution the last session, calling for the number OF
removals from Office under the late administration, and the