The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-03-20

rotary, In his letter, says chat the force was ALSO
lutely necessary. If Congress had provided an in
sufficient force, and II it was likely that the public
business would suffer in consequence of defcien-
cy, the responsibility would rest on Congress- and
the defence OF the Secretary would be perfect when
he found that he could not transact the business
he could have said, al employed all the force
which the law allowed me-" He (Mr. b. did not
believe that under the plea of necessity an officer
should violate law. Let him obey the law and do the
best he can Congress could be applied TO, and not
undera sort ofduress, with hands tied, Con-
gress mad better transfer their authority 10 the head
OF the department at once. II was bad precedent,
and he hoped that the House would set their face
against employing clerks in violation Of law. He
believed In that sweet poetic phrase
Mercy, though sweet, can but relieve the few,
AS Justice is that good which succors all"
lie sympathized with the clerks, but could not
countenance the action Of the Secretary.
MIR. CONRAD was understood to say that the
gentleman had admitted that the clerks had pro-
perly discharged their duty and he expressed great
sympathy for them, and quoted poetry: Now, if
there be prose for justice there should be for mercy;
and the clerks ought to be paid.
Mr,jBAYLY repeated what he had already said /:
when this bill was under consideration, last year,
they were told that there would be an increase Of
efficiency in business, and not Of clerks.
Mr. McLANE of Maryland, said that he voted
for the bill creating the Department of the Interior,
the representation that II would not increase the
power, patronage, and expenses of single bureau,
and was intended merely to facilitate business
patronage Of the Department by law, but called
on to sanction an illegal act of the chief, who has
made the Department odious and disreputable. The
gentleman from Ohio admitted that the Secretary
Mr.. VINTON denied that he said so; on the
trary, he held that the Secretary had right to en-
ploy the clerks under the law.
Mr.. McLANE remarked that the gentleman had
stated that the Secretary employed the clerks on
his own responsibility. Mr.. Ewing had not only
employed these clerks in the face of the law, but
had committed direct nfraction of the law.
Mr.. SWEETZER inquired whether there had
not been a controversy, or contest, between the
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary OF the
Treasury, as to the transfer of clerks; and if 80,
what was the result of the controversy?
Mr.. VINTON knew nothing Of that SORT The
Secretary of the Interior had requested the Secre
tary of the Treasury to transfer clerks, and Mr.
Meredith had replied that none could be procured
from his Department.
Mr.. SWEETZER made few remarks adverse
to the Secretary of the Interior employing the addi
tional clerks.
Mr. SCHENCK remarked that the whole charge
resolved itself into this Gentlemen say that the
Secretary has usurped power, because he has en-
poyed clerks, they not having been, by anti
cipatien, provided for by law. Now, he wished to
direct the attention of the country to the fact that
this class of cases being provided for. During all
the administrations for years past, such applica-
tions have been made, and Congress, in discretion,
if not in wisdom, provided for them. The ode
tunately, in a bill now before him, the very date
was given in one instance. Mr.. Walker employed
clerk, it appeared, in June, lsi7, but finding no
law authorizing him to do 30, relied on the good
sense of Congress for appropriation to pay him.
He could show that thousands and thousands OF
dollars had been voted to pay clerks thus en-
ployed. That was Wing House, and De mocratic
administration was then in power. The Wings
had decided majority, and helped the Democrats
to carry the administration, and were bound as
patriots to assist the Government, by giving what
was necessary. without previously existing law;
and now the Wings have an accidental and minori-
ty opposition, rallying themselves against the Ad-
ministration, to hamper and cripple it, by refusing
every thing which was in former times generously
given to the Democrats by the Wings. 1t is case
for the country and the committee. If the clerks
are not necessary and useful, don't keep them. ii
it be found proper and necessary to employ them,
all precedents under Democratic administration,
voted by Wing House, show the proprfety Of do
ing right; and he appealed to the Democrats
whether they would not profit by them, notwith-
standing the opposition of the Chairman OF the
Committee OF Ways and Means
Mr.. GREEN maintained that there is not now
such press Of public business as was under the
former administration, growing out of the war, and
that the business has not increased since the estab
lishment Of the Department of the lnterior-since
lS4S or lS49. And when the declaration is made
that the Democrats wish TO embarrass the Admin.
isration let this fact go with it, II the Wings had
another department, II their own seeking; he
wanted TO get rid of it. If the employment OF the
clerks be now sanctioned, II will give permanent
authority to continue them for all time to come
and, therefore, he opposed 10 the proposition.
Mr.. VINTON obtained the floor, and yielded fol-
motion that the committee rise, which prevailed
And then the House adjourned.