The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-07

Of panyl consider nauspcious 10 sound legislation upon
all great interests o the country, foreign or domestic
My colleague-I know IN no unfrendly sprit--has
taken occasion 10 aude TO the remarks which made
The other day, in reply 10 the remarks OF the honorable
senator IRON Maine; and he attempted to show, BY
Instances oil removals In Tennessee which he supposed
had been made upon grounds which conActed with the
correctness OF the statement made by me- that knew OF
no case OF removal IN that State which had not been
made Tor some other cause than difference OF po
lhcal opinion My colleague has enumerated several
cases OF removals, which he contends have been made in
direct opposition tothe principles have stated know
sir he thinks He mentioned some cases that know
nothing Of, know my colleague does not expect me io
nave had the supervision OF oil the of removals in
Tennessee or anywhere else know be did not mean
mat Removals may have taken place there from Offices
about which was not consulted, and know nothing
Mr. TURNKEY Will my honorable colleague allow
me words certainly did not intend to convey the idea
that he was even cognizant OF all the facts connected
with these removals; on the contrary expected he
only cognzan OF some OF those removals OF which
spoke spoke Of the evidence in relation 10 their reno
val; that they were talented men and he would do full
justice thai they were not obnoxious to any charge OF the
kind whatsoever
Mr.. BELL, lresuming) understand my colleague
think, IN faness when my colleague stated that All the
Important offces IN Tennessee had been put into wing
hands that he should have stated what the state OF
things was when the present administration came in.
There are but few Offices OF any value in Tennessee be
distributed no matter upon what principles they dis
HDuied There are very few, except the deputy posmas
tiers, oi any sort There three marshals-he State
being divided INTO three separate divisions The office of
marshal, therefore, IS OF nconsderable value The office
OF district Attorney Of which there three Of still less
value There are two post Offices in two Of the principal
cities or towns, worth some two three thousand dol
iaIs each We have collector OF port, worth from
four 10 SIX hundred dollars navy agency worth about
two thousand dollars. We have land ofces-no re-
ceiyers OF public moneyno registers. stated with
gard 10 the removals that have taken place in Tennessee,
which have come TO my. notice, that | know OF none
That have not proceeded upon alleged cause other
I, than mat q difference Of political opinion. do
net undertake TO say what the particular causes
Were that induced the removals of the cases
referred 70 by my colleague. as have not inquired II
was in disrespect to my colleague that have not
gone and inquired. have not gone and inquired 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
assumes from what know to the grounds upon which
those removals were 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 remarks admitted that il
was probable that the President had been liable
TO be msed and deceived False allegations of Of
removal may have been made in some cases and this
will occur under any administration, matter how ygi
liant they may be- My colleague cites the OF the
marshal in Middle Tennessee, Gen. Clements. take
great pleasure saying that regard him as gentleman
well qualified for the office he held The gentlemen who
have borne testimony 10 his merls letters my col
league or Others gentlemen OF high standing in the
country and most respectable gentlenenmen Of stand
ing in their own paIty and with the wings With regard
TO the removal of General Clements, | regret very
much there should have bees any ground upon
which he could be removed | will state now,
thai believe the general opinion and sentiment OF
the bar at Nashville, the theatre OF his public du-
ties, were in favor OF his retention in office, and be-
lieve the bar generally OF Middle Tennessee were in
favor OF his retention. My colleague, in supposng that
there wings in Tennessee who thought he ought
TO be removed is mistaken. Although the wings of my
section OF the country very LIBERAL very forbearing
and toerant-a oleraton, hberaliiy. proceeding,
doubt, in part from the recollection OF the iron proscp
ton under which they had groaned for so many
years; for they felt deeply, and 1t was one OF the
grounds OF the Revision OF political sentiment that
took place in Tennessee-yet, liberal they are.
many Of them, perceyng that this sentiment OF kindness
and oleration is confined TO their party and meets
with no return in the party which has proved itself for
twenty years past the most powerula party which still
asserts and practses upon the principle OF removing all
public oicers Tor mere opinions sake in Tennessee as
elsewhere-haye become Sore restless, and impatient,
under the injustice and inequality OF their condition and
unless there be REFORM can perceive that both
parties, before long, will be driven TO practise upon
The same policy, and the country be made 10 feel all the
disastrous consequences Of struggle for The spoIs
My colleague mistak IL he supposes that there
not great number OF vhigs N Tennessee who. under
these circumstances thought General Clements ought 10
be removed lie held an important, and influential posi-
ton in the State.
On the incoming Of this administration. there was
scarcely wing 10 be found in office IN the whole
Stale Of Tennessee | do not know OF any-my
colleague may recollect some. There doubtless
side post Offices, for the accommodation OF the
neghboihooi, held by wings.
Mr. TURNEY, (inierposing) There was an impor-
ian post office st Columbia held by whig, who remain
ed in office until he willing TO resign. He was 10
unill lns auinlnlkuauOD came lnbo poWtI
Mr. BELL, Qresuming) Very well, SIR; he was
democrat and active partisan. ] beg pardon, Mr.
President my colleague Is wrong in supposing that he
was wing. Interposed and recommended earnestly
that he should be removed mainly IRON the that
he invalid, of lutte properly. inerposed as Tar
as could-others did the same thingand he was left
in Office until his commission expired.
MIR. TURNEY, (inierposing) understand my csl.
league. | am not positive this gentleman was - office
when this administration came into power. lie may
have resigned before. He was in the office when MIR
Polk into the presidency, and he renamed until he
voluntarily resigned that ofhce.
Mr.. BELL. | remember instance. which my col
league may also remember Mr. ShePerd predecessor Of
General Clements. wing, and permitted BY blr
Polk To continue in Office until his commission ex-
pired and that the only instance OF favor shown TO
whg under the late administration, where the office
OF any value
In the case OF General Clements, when the question Of
his removal first suggested TO me. supposed, and so
stated that he could be removed upon any ground
which the wings OF Tennessee had held 10 be proper
and legitimate nor upon any ground that General
Taylor understood 10 regard as proper ground OF
removal The position General Taylor occupied upon
this subject understood 10 be, that faithful and com
peteni public officer should not be removed merely be-
he held different political sentiments from himself
But when the TACT brought TO my knowledge mat
has deputy OF the most ocious aeve and pest-
lent Intermediates in elections in the whole Statea man
who had means, and ever ready 10 risk them IN
betting and blufhng of opponents at the crisis ot a
canyass-the question was presented IN new aspect
hs deputy, whose duties carried him into every part OF
the judicial district, was in position OF active
influence than his principal
have nothing to aege against the private character
OF this individual The only objection 10 him was that
he appeared think his duty, wherever he went 10
take SPECIAL care OF the interests of his party and in the