The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
THURSDAY. MAY ., 1850.
I'm coNTisuATIosl


sderaon, proposing 10 strike from the bill the clause
making the commissioners appointed under i ''remova
bic by the President"
MI HUNTER. rise to express the hope that we
shall lake the goe To-day without much speaking IL is
evident hai this the last day shall have 10 pass the
bill the bii s wrong IN its principle, the better way
will be passed without delay
Mr. BRADBURY Ifse TO press the hope that the sem
aior from New Hampshire AIR. HALEl will Withdraw his
motion amend, order that we may moi embarass this
bby the question 10 which that amendment will
ry give rise would propose that lhe whole Of the line
to which his amendment Is attached be stricken out 80
thai nothing be said in il with regard TO the removing
power. This is a very important measure, and one in
which every senator must feel deep interest; and If
by ihe honorable senator from Tennessee fsr BELL
there great danger that the bill will be lost in the dis
casson These questions can perhaps better be settled
upon some other occasion; and il the senator will with
draw his motion to amend, will make motion 10
which hope the senator from Virginia Mr. HUNTEal
will give his assent TO strike out all language respecting
the removal by the President, leaving the power to stand
where the constitution leaves IL with the construction
which has been given to the clause of that nsrument
relating to that subject My understanding is that il is
immaeria whether the bill is silent the point de-
cares the President may remove; and hence | shall
be satisfied with The bill in either form.
MIR. DAVIS, of Mississippi. | am decidedly in favor
OF the language OF the bill II stands This is an ex
pertinent; fear il may prove very hazardous expert
nent Il ID conferring the very highest powers upon the
individuals selected. and this is combined with long
term Of years Unless you absolutely in the bill confer
the power upon the President 10 remove 1t will be con-
sdered as power not possessed they being appoint-
ed for term Of years, and that appointment being
toned by the Senate have no fear that any President
will be too likely TO exercise the power. should have
much apprehension that removal would be
made however much might be needed, than that
moval would be loosely made. These officers being
charged with the investigation of the accounts their
port will be- in fact, the admission of the accounts Ii
the President shall not have the power TO them
the event that he detects them 10 fraud, they may
effect The ruin OF the treasury In Single Of Con-
gress say again. that have fear hat the President
sion is that no removal will ever be made Being APP
pointed for term OF years, my apprehension thai the
President would be too slow exercising bis power in
their removal.
Mr. BRADBURY. may not have been understood
my remarks. wish 10 say that understand that the
President would possess the power of removal, without
any declaration OF that power the bill and that such
j. the settled construction Of the constitution. have
objection, however, to taking the bill as il stands
Mr. BELL As understand the bill. | think the SEN
ator from Mississippi MR. DAvIsl must be mistaken
understand the language OF the ball, stands with
out the amendment, that the President may remove Ii
is inviting the exercise OF the power: should not OBJ
1 %ys sn. 2 Msd0Ssag ss to- o. ns
stances announced by huns for be feels very sure that
the bill will fail this Proposition TO limit the discre
which should regret = very much The senator from from
Maine has suggested that the bill pass without saying
anything The subject Of the power to bat to
i has existed and has been understood for long ,ne
though disputed from time 10 time, stated the other
day But see no reason in the existence OF this power
as has been pracised long, for continuing the clause
as il stands, inviting the interference of the Pres
dent The President has moi heretofore failed. upon
proper cause, 10 remove, although the bill to establish
be removed for that power has been decided belong TO
the Executive, and interpreted half century
ago more. do not see. therefore. the necessity of
Congiess thinks he has these officers II TO
u be Sufficient merely establish these officers. and
then the President at has discretion, may them,
h. H. kn H. L.
President unless debaned by an act OF Congress- will
suppose he has not the powe In proper 10 remove
these officers Now. sir at the suggestion OF the
tor iron Name, am willing TO agree TO the amendment,
the bill must tail il this question is raised should
like very much to see the experiment made, whether the
bill Will answer The purpose which its author thinks u
will hope IL will ihlnk il will. 1 do not under
stand that, II we shall find injury in any way, il
viii be beyond the control OF Congress. take il that,
BY JOINT resolution in the usual form. can be repealed
any time. state this nov, because think il will be
duty incumbent upon Congress, the board in its oper
alton not beneficial, TO repeal the law at the very hrs
session Of Congress after il goes into operation.
The senator from Maine lA1r. BRsDBuRYl seems TO
be retracng his steps for understood him the other
day 10 be advocate for the insertion OF this provision
think his suggestion that removals should
take place. am the honorable senator said some
thing upon the subject Then | appeal 10 the senator
from Illinois, Mr.. DoucLAsl whether he is disposed TO
consider The amendment. II was upon his suggestion
thought the senator from Maine approved OF it.
Nj. BRADBURY. Will the senator allow me TO say
thai only yielded 10 il as less Objectionable pro-
vision s.Sf ~ tsdsS sFas9t
Mr. BELL. Well, sir the senator from Virginia ex-
presses The opinion that the bill will not be carried unless
The amendment OF the senator from New Hampshire with
drawn. have no objection 10 IL withdraw objection,
upon the ground that Il would defeat the bill 10 press IT,
should Be very sory 10 hnd thai the honorable senator
from Illinois longer thinks il expedient TO offer his
amendment
MIR. DOUGLAS. / beg leave TO suggest that made no
amendment, and offered none. simply made sugges
ton TO The sspaior IRON New Hampshe. and am entirely
willing he should Withdraw the amendment
Mr. UNDERWOOD This is not a constitutional Office,
Mr President This Office thai about 10 create by
this bill in the nature OF obtaining information upon
which Congress is 10 act This Office which we are about
10 create BY this bill does not fall within the ordinary pro-
VISION o the constitution in reference 10 Judiciary legsla-
tive. orexecutve oces fis sort oi combined ONCE, 80
ospeak OF executive character, and quasi judicial
Character but not final Ia its decisions, and must
report to Congress- II IL said in part OF the BILL that
menis by Congress- the nature of arbratoTs, OF
The award 10 be decided in the and when the decs
ION OF ihoe abaors made such by the cooperation OF
ne oher departments and Congress, upon the one side
and the acceptance OF such arbaors BY the claimant ON
ne o'hef Their decisions shall be made nal and conciu
sve But 10 reference 10 the other duties these commis
sioners are % perform, i is nothing more than com
act and say therefore, thereis peculiar proprety that
when the Senate unite in providing such commissioners
as are TO act Tor them and Tor the other branch OF Con-
gress, the President shall his discretion, remove
and appoint ohers without consultation with the body
that thus selects the sgents TO obtain the information upon
which they are 70 egsate Sir, have had this ques
ton, analogous to H. discussed lenghily during
in many debates between commissioner appointed
merely for the purpoxP al obtaining inform