The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-25
THIRTY-FIRST CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
SATURDAY, March %, 1850.

SENATE.
After reading the journal,
The VICE PRESIDENT said the resolution of the
Senator from Maine (Mr. BRADBURY) was fixed for
the special order of this day twelve O'Clock. The
vote by which this had been done was simply a
majority vote; that, unless the Senate dispensed
with the call for petitions and reports, he would
proceed in the call for them.
Mr.. YULEE said that it was evident that there
was nothing like quorum present, and he there
fore objected 10 proceeding with public business.
Mr.. SMITH said that the resolution fixed for
half past twelve O'Clock.
Mr.. MILLER said he thought it was fixed for
twelve O'Clock.
Mr. YULEE then withdrew his objection.
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
And then the Senate proceeded to the considera-
ton of the resolution of Mr.. BRADBuRy, calling for
information in relation removals from office since
the 4th of March, lS49.
Mr.. SMITH said that it not altogether SO
pleasant to address the Senate when the attendance
was thin, but the floor was assigned for several
days, and this matter could not be postponed with
out conflicting with other business, he would pro-
coed with his remarks now.
When he broke off on Thursday, he consid-
ering the point that General Taylor was the candi-
date of the Wing party. that he had proclaimed
himself a Wing, and that he had identified himself
with the principles and interests OF the Wing party.
He would now prove that the Democratic press and
statesmen and leaders all understood General Tay-
lor TO be a Wing, and that, if elected, he would
out the principles and interests oil that party
He read at large from articles in the Daily Union,
the Tri- Heekiy Union, the Weekly Union, and the
paper issued from that office during the election
canvass, and called The Campaign" to show that
General ylor considered and his election
opposed because he was Wing, and Wing
who, if elected, would be proscriptive Wing
President. He also read from address made
after the State election Of ls4S, in Pennsylvania, by
the Hon. James Buchanan, then Secretary of State,
20 the Democrats of Washington city, wherein that
eminent man had declared that no Democrat should
lay the fiattering junction to his soul that General
Taylor not Wing, an ultra Wing, and that,
If elected, he would not be proscriptive Wing
President.
He also read from the appropriation bills of the
outfits and salaries Of The whole diplomats corps,
thereby anticipating the President by appropriating
money 20 enable him TO make complete change
in that branch of Executive patronage, and show
ing that the Democrats in Congress W no voted for
those appropriations had expected as a matter Of
course, that the President was to make removals.
Yet, notwithstanding all these evidences from the
Democratic party, that General Taylor was ex-
pected 20 carry out a change of men and measures,
the Senator from Maine had charged him with
having hagrantly broken his pledges, and the
pledges made for him by his friends.
No party could, with less degree Of propricty,
charge any with a violation Of pledges, than
this same so-called Democratic party. This seduc
tive name OF Democracy was never heard Of, as
belonging exclusively TO any party till after the
election Of General Jackson. Ii was then adopted
by them and has been held by them since.
That party had opposed the reelection of Mr..
Adams, because they held that no man should hold
the Office longer than one term. II true that
hc bad found no letter written by General jackson
on this point; but, in his first and second annual
message To Congress, he had repeatedly and EN-
phatcally urged this matter, and the necessity Of
constitutional provision forbidding any hold
ing the office Of President for than one term
How was this pledge carried OUT Why, shortly
after be had been in office, letter written by
Major DonelsOn, the Presidents private secretary,
90 leading members Of the Pennsylvania Legsla-
turc, asking how a nomination Of General Jackson
for reelection would accord with their views. This
letter was franked by the President himself The
Pennsylvania Legislature nominated him for re-
election, and the General in response, Gays that,
hs friends think his reelection would be service
able TO the country be was willing 10 sacrifice him
self, and would yield his own sentiments 10 the
wishes Of hs friends. Since that time the one term
principle has never been heard Of in the Demo
cratic party.
AnOtber pledge Of that party was, that members
oi Congress should not be appointed 10 office, nor
for two years thereafter. This was a fayorite doc
trine Of General jackson prior 10 his election. Ar
ter the contest in the House in 1925, which elected
Mr.. Adams, General Jackson resigned his scat in
the Senate, and, his return 10 Tennessee, he
vas invited 10 address the Legislature Of that State
then in session in Nashville In that address (Which
Mr.. ;. rcsd) General jackson declared the ap.
pointmcnt OF members Of Congress 10 Office was a
source Of corruption. Il was making the halls Of
Congress avenues 20 temptation and fraud. In that
address he ALEC said the evils this appointment Of
NH
stitutiOn should be amended ~ az TO prevent IL.
How was this pledge carried OUT
In 1879, General Jackson was inaugurated "A
President. He chose FIVE Of the six members Of his
cabinet from Congress; and during his admins.
uatlOn hc appointed twenty three members Of Con
gree 70 offices Of all sorts and sizes Some were
appointed ministers, some charges, some collect
orr, and one even 10 the small post Of surveyor.
Before that election, "A letter Of General JAG kson
70 President Monroe found its way into the public
pres In that letter he advocated total suppress
SION o. party spirit and feeling and of selection
public officers without regard 10 their political
oplnions. Upon the advent Of the administration
OF Mr.. Adams, Mr. Clay--then Secretary of Estate
thought proper TO dismiss four Of five persons who
were The publishers Of the laws and there was a cry
raised in all parts Of tho country against this ire
mendOus prescription and in this cry the JAG ksOn
party we're the lOudest.
His letter was republished, and its sentiments
oontrasted with the practice Of the party in power
so great was the force Of this Indignation raised
against the Administration, that large body d
the old Federalsts, and amongst these latter wer,
some Of the most eminent men Of the present da v
joined the ranks Of the Democratic party.
The effect Of that letter even upon him (Mr
81 was such that he felt fsvorably inclined TO
wards him, though he voted, If be voted at all
with the majority Of his State.
Mr.. DAWSON asked the Senator, did he NEAR
% say be was not old enough TO vote at the election
Of 1928? tLaughtcr.l
Mr.. SMITH said he believed be was. Laugh
ter. He remembered that some fifteen years be
fore that time the Senator from Georgia and him.
self were colleagues at a law school lie thought
the Senator should say but little on the subject Of
age. lI.aughter.l Perhaps he (Mr. 50 might
be ahead OF the Senator a year or two. Laugh.
ter
In the inaugural address Of General Jackson, he
stated that fraud and corruption had crept into
public affairs through the practice Of making office
a reward for party services, and this he meant 10
correct.
In the first six administrations the number Of re.
Dsovas from Office were very small. During the
administration Of General Washington there were
ten removals from office; during Mr.. Adams's four
years there eight removals and three refusals
20 renominate Mr. Jefferson's eight years. fifty
eight removals, four refusals TO renominste Mr..
Madisons eight years, seventeen removals, two re-