Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1850-12-26
Removal of Gen. Lane.
Debate in the Senate, December 18th, 1850.
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.

REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the fol-
lowing resolution, which up amongst the special
orders on the calendar:
Re:Ored That the President be requested to cause
he laid before the Senate all charges which have been
preferred filed in any of the Departments against in
dviduals who have been removed from office since the
4th day of March last with specification of the cases
any, in which the officers charged have had opportu
nifty to be heard, and statement OF the number of re-
mOvals made under each Department, including subor
dnates in the houses and other branches of the
public service.
We insert so much of the debate as bears on the re-
moyal of General Lane.
Mr. DODGE of Iowa said
word now 10 the prescription of the late Admin
istraton generally Sir, in point of numbers and vo-
ence there has never been anything to equal 1t in any
all the Administrations put together and what makes
marked the history of the country is the severity
with which II has fallen upon those gallant patriots who,
quitting the pursuits of civil and quiet e rushed to the
standard OF their country in the late war with Mexico,
and by their heroism and valor did much to maintain
the honor of the American arms, and enable the late
President to acquire those laures which he Eoby
won and for which grateful people elevated him to the
first office within their rift Look at the manner i'm
which Lane and Weller hunted down on the Pacific
cOast-Pursucd with indecent haste around nearly half
the circumference of the glob-strpped of their
missions and humblcd in the presence of of the
enemy whom their valOr had contributed 10 conquer.
and for other offence than their political sentiments
Nothing in the history of the constantly recurring
utions and prescriptions of the miserable olgarchy of
Mexico, in my Judgment, equals the prescription Of
these distinguished and patriots, and the attempts
that have been made to niure them, in order justify
their removal. The vengeance Of the successful chief
ains, Paroles Herrera, furnish nothing to equal
Mr.. EWING. Before the motion to lay on the table
is made, wish to say word in reply to the Senator
r'm Iowa. He has spoken of the of removal and
OF of failure to 1t is unnecessary re-
IN tha failuro tn
the Senate The resolution pending does ask for
information to those who were removed 1t is
not therefore, fit subject for consideration and will
not into It. The Senator also refers of
removals, General Lane Governor of Oregon. and CO.
lionel Weller, OF the boundary commissions and speaks
Of these Of naked prescription In this he in
correct. As to Governor Lane, report made by
him to the Department for very long time after his APP
polntment Great complaints were made against him
from the Territory of Oregon and from authentic
and reliable sources those which the Executive ought
respect There were, therefore, for his remo-
val, as we'll official political As to Colonel Weller
there difficulty with respect to him and the
execution of his duty. There appropriation of
$50 900 to commence the boundary survey That whole
sum expended; and in addition that, as far as
could be asccrtained some $50 900 or 900 were
drawn for, and no homework done by him than to
simply fix the initial point the Pacific that is
To measure two marine leagues south of the bay of San
Diego, erect rough monument there and to find the
point Of junction of the ella and the Colorado The
service performed bore inst relation the expend
III 10 t1dt. were nedNy cOnlplantS
against him from those that with him the CON-
mission, of inefeiency and of attention his duty
All these things, and more appear from the papers
companying the reports presented - the Senate and
geEemen If they please to do read and understand
them.
have said thus much, however, not because wish
to go into particulars, for do feel disposed do
that a general challenge; | want deal with no
mans character; but because the case of Colonel Wei
Ter distinctly and specifically put, could not re-
main silent without seeming to admit what point
edlv alleged
Mr.. DODGE, Of Iowa We are to understand now
from the Senator from Ohio, that the whose services
such obtain for him the Sobrieque of the Ma
rlon OF the Mexican wharf.-the man who gained such sig
nal renown in that war-ihe who was in almost ev
cry battle either on the Rio Grande Vera Cruz line
covered with wounds, and faithful in all lis public trusts
was removed, forsootb, because report had been
received from him during the brief time between his APP
pOinment and removal.
The gentleman from Ohio says he failed to make a re-
port. ask what report, the Governor of the Terri
tory Of Oregon he was required to make, and which was
OF sufficient Importance to cause his removal2
Mr.. EWING. He -eqnred to make report
Superintendent of Indian AIairs-an exceedingly i'm
portan matter in the condition Of our Indian relations
with the tribes OF that Territory
MIR. DODGE. am aware that he er offcio SUI
perlnendent oil Indian Affairs, and had report in that
capacity to make But | undertake to say, without
having ever heard Governor Lanes explanation of the
NATTER that II II IS investigated II will be found that he
did make report which every one knows was liable to
be lost in the mails of the United States, be de-
ayed by bis time being occupied in treating with the In
dams, or the performance Of public duties | appre-
bend it will be found, when the facts fully known
that there good for the removal OF Gov
ernOr Lane and that those which have been given
resored justify the striking down of whose
removal predetermined on.
The SeRators from Indiana know something-doubt-
less much-of the character of their distinguished fe
low citizen and expect hear from them in reference
to this accusation against him.
Mr.. WHITC0MB Mr.. President, did not expect
say anything in regard this resolutions but
tack, most unexpected me- has been made upon for
mer citizen Of my State, General Lana, which / feel
called upon to ropel. think it unmerited and
both panied and surprised hear uttered by the Sena
tor from Ohio. l know General Lane WE'LL He is
personal friend of mnc and his modesty is far greater
than his talents, coniessedly great they When
he appointed Governor Of Oregon, instead of hav
ing public vessel chartered TO take him and his
family around by sea, he went In the garb of
tern man, with small company of men, by the
land route, with his rife in his hand, at his
psnse, an exile from his family. When he went to
Oregon, that Territory in condition entirely
unorganized without any government except formed
by necessity by the early settlers. Besides having
frame regular government he had acquaint hmsef
with the various Iudan tribes their character and
dton in order to acquire the necessary facts to make
the report; delay only OF which the Senator from
Ohio makes the ground NJ his charue against that Off