The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-06-25

MIR. IUANEN. VIII my COlledRQe al
low me a wordi certainly did not intend 10 con-
vey the idea that he even cognizant OF all the
facts connected with these removals; ON the con
trary, expected he Mas only cognzapt Of some of
those removals OF which spoke. ] spoke of the
evidence in relation to their removal; that they
were talented men; and he would do full Justice
that they were not obnoxious TO any charge of the
kind whatsoever.
league. think, in fairness, when my colleague
stated that all the important offices in Tennessee
had been put into Wing hands, that he should have
stated what the state Of things was when the pre-
sent Administration came in There are but few
offices OF any value in Tennessee to be distributed
no matter upon what principles they arc distribu-
ted There are very few, except the deputy post
masters, of any sort. There are three marshals-
the State being divided into three separate divi-
sions. The Office of marshal, therefore, is Of incon-
siderable value The Office of district attorney, Of
which there three, is of still less value. There
two post Offices in two OF the principal cities
towns worth some two or three thousand dollars
each We have a collector Of port, worth from
four to six hundred dollars; navy agency, worth
about two thousand dollars. We have no land
Offices no receivers Of public money-no regis
ters. ! stated, with regard to the removals that
have taken place in Tennessee, which have come
to my notice, that knew of that have not
proceeded upon some alleged cause, other than that
OF difference OF political opinion do not under
take TO say what the particular causes that in
duced the removals in Of the referred to
by my colleague, as have not inquired II was in
ul5feEpCCt 10 tndt nave gone ana
inquired. have not gone and inquired at the proper
department into these causes as might. have not
done so, and therefore shall not undertake to state
what they were; but think may venture to as
sumo, from what know TO the grounds upon
which those removals made OF which have
personal knowledge, that the Others of which
know nothing, were made upon similar grounds.
My colleague will remember that, in my former re-
marks, admitted that it was probable that the
Preside mt had been liable TO be miscd and
deceived. False allegations of causes of removal
may have been made in some cases; and this will
occur under any administration, no matter how
vigilant they may be. My colleague cites the case
OF the marshal in Middle Tennessee, General Glenn
ents. take great pleasure in saying that regard
him gentleman well qualified for the office he
held. The gentlemen who have borne testimony TO
his merits, IN letters to my colleague others,
gentlemen of high standing in the country, and
most respectable gentlemen-men of standing in
their own party, and with the Wings. With re-
gard to the removal of General Clements, j regret
very much there should have been any ground
upon which he could be removed. will state now,
that believe the general opinion and sentiment Of
the bar at Nashville, the theatre OF his public
duties, were III favor OF his retention in Office,
and believe the bar generally of Middle Tennes
were in favor Of his retention. My colleague,
in supposing that there arc no Wings in Tcnncs
see who thought he ought to be removed, is mis-
taken Although the Wings of my section of the
country are very liberal, very forbearing and tole
rant-a liberation, hberality, proceeding,
doubt, in part, from the recollection of the iron
uDueT which lncy mad GTOaneO lOf so
many years; for they felt il deeply, and it was
of the grounds of the revusivn of political senti
ment that took place in Tennessee-yet, libeEal as
they are many of them, perceiving that this senti
ment OF kindness and liberation is confined 10 their
own party, and meets with return in the party
which has proved itself for twenty years past the
most powerful-a party which still asserts and prac
tises upon the principle Of removing all public Off
GERS for mere opinions sake, III Tennessee else
where-have become sore, restless, and impatient,
under the injustice and inequality of their condi-
ton; and unless there be some reform, ] can per-
ceive that both parties before long, will be driven
to practise upon the same policy, and the country
be made to feel all the disastrous consequences Of
mere struggle for the spos. My colleague is mis-
taken If he supposes that there were not great
number OF Wings in Tennessee who, under these
thought General Clements ought to
be removed. He held an important and influential
position in the State.
On theincoming of this Administration there was
scarcely Wing TO be found in Office in the whole
State of Tennessee. do not know of any-my col
league may recollcct some There were doubtless
come road side post Offices for the accommodation
of the neighborhood, held by Wings.
Mr. TUHSEY, (interposing) There was i'm
portant post Office at Columbia held by Wing,
who remained in Office until he willing TO
sign. He was in until this Administration came
into power.
Mr.. BELL, (resuming.) Very we'll, sir; he was
a Democrat, and active partisan. l beg pardon,
MIR. President; my colleague is wrong in suppos-
ing that he a Wing. ] ntcrposed and recon-
mended earnestly that he should not be removed,
mainly from the cause that he was an invalid, OF
little property. ! interposed far / could
others did the same thing-and he was left in office
until his commission expired
MIR. TUnsEY, (interposing.) ! understand my
colleague. j am not positive this gentleman was in
Office when this Administration came into power.
He may have resigned before He was in office
when Mr.. Polk came into the Presidency, and he
remained until he voluntarily resigned that office.
Mr.. Bell. remember one instance, which my
colleague may also remember Mr.. Sheperd, pre-
deccssor Of General Clements, a Wing, and
was permitted by Mr.. Polk TO continue in office
ill his commission expired; and that is the only in
stance Of favor shown 10 Wing under the late ad-
mnistration, where the office was OF any value.
In the Of General Clements, when the ques-
ton Of his removal was first suggested TO me,
supposed, and stated that he could not be re-
moved upon any ground which the Wings Of Ten
nessee had held TO be proper and legitimate, nor
upon any ground that General Taylor was under
stood TO regard as proper ground for removal. The
position General Taylor occupied upon this subject
! understood 10 be that a faithful and competent
public officer should not be removed merely be-
cause he held different political sentiments from
himsclf but when the fact brought TO my
knowledge, that his deputy was one of the most Of
fcious, active, and pestilent Intermediates in cleo
tons in the whole state-a man who had means,
and was ever ready TO risk them in betting and
blufiing of opponents at the crisis Of canvass
the question was presented in new aspect. This
deputy, whose duties carried him into every part
Of the judicial district, in a position Of more
active influence than his principal
have nothing 10 aege against the private char
acer Of this individual. The only objection TO him
was, that he appeared 10 think Il his duty, wher-
he went 90 take special care Of the interests Of
his party; and in the discharge Of this duty he
most active and faithful seldom travelling in crih-
cal times without taking with him the proper party
documents. General Clements, ] believe, did not
encourage his deputy in his inicrmcddling propen-
stics, and regretted sincerely the circumstance
that endangered his position ] fiattcr myself that
be is my personal friend, a. am surely his. In my
intercourse with him, always observed that, where
the subject Of politics alluded 10, he asserted
his principles, a freeman should do, in and out
Of Office, but without intempcrancc unbecoming
zeal. This, believe, his habit in his personal
intercourse with his friends and associates whether
Wings or Democrats. never heard Of any active
interference in elections his part while in office.
He held the right OF free expression Of opinion
with his friends, and TO vote openly in favor Of the
Democratic candidates wherever he had 70 give a
vote; and in this respect think he acted every
public officer should be free 10 do. But still HE
deputy could not be reached without turning him
out Of Office. This was the question, and there was
some difference ofopinion in the case among Wings.
The better opinion was, that he ought 10 CO. turn
out his deputy and he went tLaughtcr.l ] re-
greet IL, on his account very much, and feel lev
ity upon the occasion. My colleague has referred
the late marshal Of the western district Of Ten