The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-14

scripon for having removed four hundred and ninety
tion while il was admitted on this floor that during the
first year OF the late whg, non proscrpnve administra-
oL than three thousand four hundred posimasiers
removed have right to speak OF the number as
when, during the entire administration
OF Presidents Jackson and Van Buren, occupying period
Of twelve years. there were but two hundred and eighty
three officers removed who derived their appointments
from the President, with The advice oi the Senate.
agansl-how many times that number removed during
single year q the late administration !,
suffered TO lie until there was one to explain the con-
dition Of the Offices and the causes for which the
movas made. Why, that honorable senator is him
self here this floor in the best possible position to
make that explanation. We challenge the explanation
and may add that explanation sdemanded BY remarks
such have fallen from the honorable senator himself
His language contains an inimaton that these removals
made for other than political considerations The
public would infer from his remarks whether so intend
ed not, will not undertake 10 saytha this wholesale
system Of removals made account Of this unit
ness OF the ncumbens, and in order that efficient men
might be put in ohceor in other words, that none but
the unaithful and inefficient were removed III such 10
the ground of defence let underestimate Even to this
day, there seems to be an unwingness to admit that
this wholesale prescription was from political considera-
tons and for political considerations alone. trust the
information will be given and then the honorable sena
tor will be able to make his explanation, and we will be
Mr.. MASGUM. During the las. session. sir. ii is
within the recollection Of the Senate that this resolu.
ton occupied many. many days Il will also be remem.
bered that subject Of surprising interest % the
Senate for remember upon occasion, three days
speaking OF most eloquent gentleman listened 70 per.
haps BY ve senator's and the unfortunate Vice President
ri, i e @
away. The men have passed away at whom the blow
was amed-if may regard it as blow. as did at that
which would BE- interesting 10 the country Il has gone
forth in gentlemens speeches The great object seemed
70 be 70 make speeches upon the subject They have
whether any other gentleman wishes to make another-I
certainly do not. Think, sir, derive no in
formation upon the subject that will be interesting or
useful TO the country in addition 10 what has already
been gwen 10 the public in speeches circulated far and
wide we would better proceed TO little business more
pessng and with that views and no view a all OF cut.
ting of the public from any information which Is either
useful interesting. move that the whole subject lie
MI. SEWARD. Allow me one word.
u Mr.. MANGUM having Withdrawn the motion,
" Mr.. SEWARD proceeded. wish 10 say, MIR. Presi-
dent only this believe there is member Of the Sem
who was partial in his favor towards the last
administration than | was; yet It seems TO me there
was time during the of that administration
that would not have voted for this resolution in the
form t o which !; nNw proposed that shall os received
entitled 10 information about the number OF removals
made BY any administration, and that the Senate as
legislative body may appropriately call oI Ga, nfGs
have voted for the resolution in its original shape, be-
cause thought il would have been an attempt by the
Invade hs and
therefore, Is TO say that shall not vote. as perhaps
might be expected to vote as friend OF the last admin
straon to lay this motion upon the table or vote against
the resolution in its present shape. and that per.
fecty willing that the information shall go to the country
OF the whole number of removals made by the last ad
minisiraton and 90 under all the disadvantages under
which the admnisiration will labor by the death OF its
chief and the dispersion of its MEMBERS Notwithstanding
these disadvantages satisfied that that administration
will stand vindcaed by the country against all the unfa-
vorabe inferences which may be drawn from the sub
MIR. EWING. Mr. President. the honorable senator
reason why he did not press this resolution TO vote at
the last session Allow however, 10 say that he
had been really in earnest, he had desired that should
brought il a vote noticed the progress OF this reso
luton. There good deal OF easing of and yielding
10 the pressure o the part OF that gen
posing in appearance and urged with much earn
estness OF manner But have observed that the
for those removals cannot be called Tor or cannot
be answered. but must be left to the learned sen
aor says that here and may and he instances
which is the subject OF complaint the removal
OF 3400 posmasiers in year. And what does the sen.
aor suppose know OF the removal oil postmasterst (
What does he suppose had to do with the removal
OF those posmastersl certainly was qnile as much
stranger them he; and more. because never knew
even the number OF the removals. The honorable sen
ator inquiries whether wish be understood insist
that these removals made for any other than pol-
cal causes Now, Mr.. President cannot answer as to
all. or majority Of them. Many OF them were made
because the individuals were unworthy, independent OF
political causes Many more were made because the ndi-
vduas appeared to have obtained her appointments lof
other merit Than that OF political services, and 10 have
preserved them by other than political services.
The senator says that nj the commencement OF General
Jacksons administration there were but some four hun.
ded removals OF posimasiers.. He does not say how
many OF other officers were removed in his first year.
admit that the number OF removals, even o other
officers less than that Of the past administration
bat whyi Because the predecessor OF General Jackson
had not surrounded himself with a host OF political
parsans whose business IL was TO sustain and support
his administration and his reelection. lie had appointed
correct men--inen hed for the execution oil Official
duties Itbout regard 10 their political preference and OF
proportion were friends OF the past and opponents OF the
incoming administration. When General Jackson came
n he found the Offices OF the country largely IN the hands
Of his political partisans but The incoming OF the
past administration, almost every not adherent,
and firm adheeni, of the preceding administration hal
been removed. and all the public otnees were IN the
hands OF the opponents OF the incoming administration
II the laws be executed aud carried out without
change OF officers, they must have been executed and
carried ont by the opponents by the earnest opponents,
OF the admnistratonby the very who had received
these Offices because they were ITS opponents and who
held them upon The tenure OF continuing 10 oppose "
But LET any take the number OF ofces existing at
the incoming OF General Jacksons administration take
the number opposed 10 him In Office al his accession and
the number OF adherents in Office; then take the number
OF Offices that existed nj the incoming OF the past adj
mnisi ration take the number opposed to that admins
traton and the number in favor Of II, and see how The
balance will be struck between the different admnisa-
tons The last administration will bear most favor
able comparison with that Of General Jackson OF any
subsequent administration upon that side, 20 lar as
tolerance 10 difference OF political opinion IN pubic
Offices is concerned
Ihave no doubt that all these things are perfectly