The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-21

the House would accord him the courtesy of sus
tanning it.
Mr.. vENABLE appealed to the gentleman to
withdraw the motion, but
Mr.. ROBINSON did not acquiesce.
MIR. JONES moved tolay the resolution upon the
table; and the question being taken, ii was decided
In the attirmative-ayes SO, noes OIL
The House resolved itself into Committee OF the
Whole ON the state Of the Union, (Mr. Buar in the
chair,) and resumed the consideration OF the bill
to supply deficiencies in the appropriations ior the
service of the fiscal year ending June ~, 1901.
An amendment was pending, appropriatng
S4 SOS 80 for the salaries OF the Chief clerk and
other clerks in the Department of the Interior.
Mr.. VINTON entered into statement OF the
various branches of business transacted In the De-
partment, 10 show that, unless the Secretary had
employed the clerks, Ito which objection had been
made the machinery would have come to a dead
stand, there were no clerks TO be transferred
from the Treasury Department, as was supposed
at the time Of the passage Of the bill creating that
Department. The Secretary of the Interior had
two alternatives one was, to follow the advice oil
the Chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means, wrap himself up, and say to the man with
one arm or the man with one leg, the revelu-
tionary pensoner, Congress has not provided for
you, and you must go unpaid " The other alter
native for him to say to clerks, go to the
desks and perform the duty, and you must rely on
Congress for your pay" The Secretary has not
drawn dollar out of the Treasury; and the cues
ton Is, will you now pay them! III ne mad not
made arrangements to pay Indian annuities, PEN
sions, and transact the multiplicity OF business,
should have had wind in this Capitol strong
enough To take off the roof, the wind took OIL the
roof Of one Of the bureaus OF this Department sew
eral weeks ago. There were more duties to per-
form in that Department, with the exception, per-
haps, Of the Treasury, than in any other Mr.:
" gave other reasons why the amendment should
be adopted.
MIR. KAUFMAN said that he would not vote for
the amendment. 1t would not only give relief for
pa service, but legalize departure from the law
by the head of the Department. He might give re-
Eaf in arafa wh no
part of Congre a ratification of MIR. Ewing's de-
parturc from the law. He would not vote for the
amendment, because it had not received the sane
ton of the Committee Of Ways and Means, and
ought not to be sanctioned by the House. He adj
United that the service of the clerks was OF vast
importance to the Government, but he insisted that
the Secretary of the Interior, in employing them,
had violated the exact terms of the eleventh section
of the law.
Mr.. JONES accused the Secretary of having ap-.
pointed the clerks in violation Of the plain letter OF
and execute He did not know the men, but they
might be like the individual who boastcd that he
never earned dollar in his life.
Mr.. PHELPS said, that when he saw the Ad-
ministration without an increasing business, but a
diminution, asking for an additional number OF
clerks, he thought it was time to check the unne-
cessary expenditure Of money. He asked whether
this was the way rigid system OF economy was to
be carried out, and which had been promised. The
secretary had acted in utter violation of law.
Mr.. CARTER opposed the amendment, but, in
another bill, would vote for the payment OF the
clerks for the services already performed. He con-
demned 50 the stealing into the departments of
cider sucking politicians. The secretary had no
legal right for employing these clerks II he was
going to make an assignment Of the Legislative
powers of the House, Desert waste Solitary Ewing
would be the last man he should select. IL was
that loungng politicians came up to this Cap
itol to be fed. Tom Ewing has done this. In the
Land Office twenty five clerks have been displaced
by persons who have qualifications but to glori
fy an Administration without any principles.
Mr.. TAYLOR did not rise 10 complain of this
discussion; he was glad II had taken place He was
aware that there was to be systematic attack be
cause there more responsibility connected
with the Department OF the Interior than all the
other Departments of the Federal Government to-
gether. IL known to the country and TO the
Committee that the gentleman who is attacked is
far above any defence. He is man whose reputa-
ton is connected with distinguished service in the
Senate prominent in the profession he adorns, with
talents and elevated moral character, he has al
ways discharged every public trust with fidelity
and credit. Standing among the highest in the
land he is qualified for any station, from the Ell
ecutive chair to the Department over which he pre-
sides with much dignity and ability. The Pres
ident did well to select him for that post it not
OF his own seeking. He at first refused to
cept of it.
passed by large majority, and was recon-
mended and drawn up by the late Secretary of the
Treasury. IL passed on the last night of the
session. and il not to be expected that, in the
hurry of business, the details were arranged as
systematically they ought TO have been II
was not foreseeu that few additional clerks
would be necessary TO carry on the operations
Of that Department Gentlemen had objected to
the amendment, the ground that the bust
ness has not increased; but the business of the
country is always increasing. We live in great
country. which is constantly increasing in pop
ulation, business, wealth. We are progressing in
every thing; and additional force 10 required 10
carry ON the business of the Executive depart
mcnt Of the Government. He was surprised 10
find that, on bill appropriatng a million and
a half of dollars, gentlemen were debating TO
whether a great Department should have nine ad-
ditional clerks. The money TO pay them was but
drop compared to the large expenditure of public
money. You appropriate eight or ten millions for
the army and navy; in all, thirty or forty millions
annually and when the head Of Department
asks for additional clerk-hire, we met with OBJ
jections and attacks on the Administration. As to
the attacks, history will vindicate Mr.. Ewing. He
stands above them. more upright man in pub
lie service does not live in the United States, or
ever accepted office under the Government during
| its existence.
Mr. II. said that be had seen with pleasure that
the President, in his annual message. had not
looked the great interests Of agriculture, IAN inter
est including planting and farming,) and that he
recommends that something be done towards the
establishment Of an Agricultural Bureau, under the
direction Of the Secretary Of the Interior He trusted
that il would be established, for this great interest
lies at the foundation Of our prosperity.
Mr.. GREEN rose 10 question of order.
MIR. TAYLOR said that he only replying 10
what had been said the other side Of the hall
tCries, go on" Ego on."l He repeated, he
hoped that agricultural bureau would be cstab-
lished. II necessary 10 furnish additional clerks,
he would oheerfully vote for them. Such bureau
would be source Of interest, profit, and cncour-
agement to the farming interests. In reply TO his
colleague (Mr. CARTER) he said, that unworthy
men had been turned out Of Office, and toorty ones
substituted. The Democratic party have a major
ity Of the Office holders in Washington; yet
II charged by the Locofoco papers, and stump
| speakers, that Mr.. Ewing had prescribed men for
opinion sake 1t was his duty 70 turn out incomPe
| tent men.
| Mr. THOMPSON, Of Mississippi. Did under
stand the gentleman to state that a majority Of
those in Office, in this city, belong 10 the Democrat
! ic party
! Mr. TAYLOR. have been so informed.
\ Mr.. THOMPSON. How that ascertainedi
! Mr. TAYLOR. DO you deny il, and say that
the Wings arc ina the majority in the Departments
Mr. THOMPSON. ] desire TO know how the
| gentleman sscertsined the fact.
Mr. TAYLOR. DO you deny IL,
| MIR. THOMPSON. Yes; don't believe IL Is So
| MIR TAYLOR. believe il is so. If the gentle
man has no authority for saying, the conclusion
| IL that he admits my statement. Laughter, and
cried Of" Oh, no.''J ask the gentleman to say, as
ar ma Of honor hat the WhfUr haxo ftv