The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-05


Docs, ss 2ifh Cong Rep Of committsss, No 49, p ~
This resolution was communicated to President Jack
son, and in reply, he addressed characteristic letter
dated January 49, 1887 to Mr. Wise, from which sub
m also appears from the published proceedings OF the
House. that this resolution was and supported
the executive departments The resolution adopted BY the
must be taken connexon with your Introductory speech,
which gave character TO the whole proceeding"
So say the introductory speech OF the honorable
ator Mr. BRADBuRYl gives character TO this resolu-
lion, and with these lights we cannot mistake its true
purport and object.
No one can read the remarks OF the honorable senator
political ag,aiion at the expense OF President Taylor
His motives TO be questioned, his conduct raduced,
his honor and rectitude malgned and his administra-
hon rendered. II possible, odious to the American peo
Pile
have greatly mistaken the character of this body il
it shall lend itself to such object But can only
develop the true character OF this resolution by entering
4 would observe that il & sweeping, universal, and
indefinite II comprehends only all that the President
departments II comprises not only the cases where the
President has the appointing power by and with the ad
vice and consent OF the Senate but also those where the
absolute power Of appointment is vested in the heads Of
the departments. is proposed to charge the hesident
with the duty OF entering all these departments, gather
ing up all the papers. searching out all the pigeon holes,
for charges preferred against officers removed in all
vested And this proposed when the senator does not
say that he has any authentic information this subject
whatever when he does not represent to the Sem
ate, the country that he knows that any charges have
been preferred; that il is altogether matter of infer
upon his part The President is required not only
TO furnish papers supposed 70 exist in the departments.
but he is also to furnish list of in which the par
ties removed have been put on trial. The honorable
senator seems really to suppose that in all OF
movas the President bound to notice upon the
parties and give them hearing Whether there should be
jury trial in each case, the senator does not suggest
but there is TO be both notice, hearing, and judgment
entered up in due form df law Therefore he calls upon
the President to furnish list OF all the wherein
lawsuit has been raised between the Executive and the
party removed He goes beyond this; for he not only
ques the President to search out all theNpgeon-holes
oil the various departments here, but also to visit all the
custom houses OF the country, TO ascertain what
movals have been made there The honorable senator
is not satisfied with examination of all the establish
ments the Atlantic coast, but the President must
make excursion to the Pacific, in order respond to
this resolution Besides, he is ascertain what removals
have been made in all the subordinate Offices of the gov
ernment; not simply in the custom-houses but in all the
various post offices Of the country.
Perhaps the will say that the information
be obtained here that it should be upon the files OF the
There large number Of subordnates employees who
appointed by the chief OF the particular office where
they exercise their duties There never is any return
made here of changes of such officers And this par
tcuary true in the post Offices OF the country There is
rule that such posmasters as have an income OF over
$4,000 year may appropriate the surplus Tor the com
necessary
despatch Of the public business During the last fiscal
year there sixtysix such Offices in the country,
leaving out the Pacific coast and the whole clerical force
therein employed during that year amounted to six hun
What then, is the President to do il the resolution
is passed. He is to sead 10 all these post Offices and,
for aught know. be vii! have 10 send to San Francis
10 ascertain what may be the state OF things there, In
order 10 comply with the resolution. Indeed, sir, to
make the resolution complete, the senator ought to add
appropriation of some fifty or hundred thousand dol
"a ant Tn ha fha amin
ons OF the honorable SENATOR must come TO the
clusion that all the pigeon holes in all the departments
crowded with what he is pleased 10 denominae eli
bels" The whole clerical force in these various depart
ments, ii his statements true are 10 be employed in
copying these bes The senator says he believes there
had been removed Cat the time his speech deliv
more are doomed in other departments know not In
every the supposes charges preferred
would suggest TO him the addition OF further appro-
pation TO employ extra clerical force 10 execute this
order, as il will be required on his hypothesis.
Mr. BRADBURY, Gnterposng) II the senator will
allow me, will state that the resolution contemplates
handing the original charges, that the expense
and necessity Of employing clerks in copying will be
saved.
Mr. SMITH resumed. Then il seems that the senator
anS for
to leave nothing in their hands TO vndcae their
do not know what my friend contempates doing with
them when they are brought here whether they are e
for purposes OF party agaon what 10 be done with
them IL s sufficient for me TO remark that il Is contrary
10 the whole practice Of the government and the honora
Bile senator may rest assured that it is of the last
things which the President will do He will not part
with single original paper, but copies will be made, II
anything is to be done, n compliance with the equsi-
tons OF this resolution
object then, TO the vagueness and indefnteness OF
this resolution, and TO its sweeping character. IL is
totally unprecedented. II any call is TO be made, II
should be- in conformity with the uniform practice OF the
Senate upon the President for information in those
coming under his own jurisdiction, where he has the
power OF appointment by with the advice and consent
OF the Senate but when the power is vested in heads OF
departments he must make his call the functionary
exercising the power II the honorable senator supposes
that there large OF bels file in the General
Post Office, and IL he wants TO get insight into the
natter and to inspect those bels he must make call
upon the Postmaster General; but to directing the
President himself to make inquiries into all the depart
mens and reporting here the result il is insist, unpre-
cedented and inadmissible.
But have little sound democratic authority upon this
point TO which wish TO invite the attention Of my hon
orabe friend Il will be found in the same characters
committee led session, twenty-hfh Congress) TO which
have already invited the attention OF the Senate. He
says;
The heads OF departments may answer such request
they please provided they do withdraw III ir own
time, and that Of the officers under their dfecon from
the public business, the injury thereof - 10 which he
adds, shall direct them depoie emseirss"Rsp 1874,
p. III, I'd ass. 2hh Con-
Sir, the character OF the resolution OF Mr. Wise is sim
pcIty ITSELF IN comparison with that which is now under
consideration. What did il call for Merely list of
clerks and other subordinales employed without author
TO them respectively Cen Jackson in answer to such
requIslton after denouncng indefinite and vague,
says that the heads OF departments NAV answer II they
please provided they can do without interfering with