The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-11
CITY OF WASHINGTON, SATURDAY MORNING, MAY Il, 1850


lime since The formation oil government that any
complaint has been made OF the decisions OF an Al
iofney Generals and now because some decisions are
complained of-and may turn out that the opinions o
those who complain are erroneous and thai the Attorney
General is right-t is proposed 10 change the whole
law, and TO provide different tribunal altogether. which
ns sSsS 0wf lso% Is
discretion OF the Secretary whether they be taken from
the auditor and comptroller and given to this board
hold that pracce under this law would be heetofore
IN all such cases where the Secretary would take the
opinion OF the Attorney General We would grant an
appeal to the board, and we confer much greater
power upon the board than confer upon the Attorney
vice, which not binding upon the Secretary and
elusive. The Secretary may take the opinion not be
is not bound to take it. The law would not compel him
issue their requsiions upon the treasury and to draw
the money from IL; and two men, as have already
shown, would be drawing il from the treasury against
the opinions Of ihree most solemnly delivered and all Of
equal grade. Iwould be- in my mind very extraordinary
10 give such power So far as relates 10 the claims
coming before Congress-, think the bill all important and
for one was willing to permit the bill TO pass withoat
removals, think il is great deal think the bill
should require the concurrent opinions OF all three COM
missoners and even them they should be subject TO re-
moyal by the President should he deem ii expedient
Mr.. BELL. | merely wish to say upon the subject,
that The amendment suppose, entirely omts the subject
Of the removing power Upon reflection think that is
he better course the bill should take SO far as regards
tany implies that without the permission OF Congress,
the President could not be expected there.
fore withdraw any obstacles from H. and shall vote for
The question being taken upon the amendment it was
rejected
MIR. DAWSON, move to amend the bill, by striking
out the words commencing in the fifteenth line oil the
first section, which are as follows:
But shall hold this office after he reaches the
age oisxyve years; and whenever the Office Is detemn
ed Tor this cause II shall be deemed vacancy Tor all the
purposes of this act.
am against establishing the principle that sixty FIVE
years is the limitation of the usefulness OF In this
country; and especially when look around at the var
Gus officers OF this government, and how many
filled by gentlemen that age and that the asprants
OF the present day to the highest Offices OF the govern
ment are over that age / therefore. move 10 strike il
out There is hardly direction in which we can look
around in this chamber, but soae seat is filled by
gentleman over sixty five years OF age And really when
recoleci the wisdom displayed at the present day by
gentlemen past that age upon whom rely for pru.
dence, judgment, and patriotism, should never have
thought OF undertaking, bill oil this kind, establish
principle to be carried out through all the operations OF
objection TO individual who aspres to the presidency
that he is beyond age at which capacity is diminished
TO such an extent that he Is not capable of being COM
missioner TO Judge upon clam. In my Judgment sir,
this is radically wrong; and have doubt that the
senator who drew up the bill did not for moment
fleet upon the consequences OF the adoption OF this prn
ciple.
Mr.. HUNTER have stated before that would con-
cur in that amendment
MIR. HALE am in favor OF striking out these words;
but think the senator must be entirely misak in sup
posing that there are SO many gentlemen in this Senate
who over sxy-fiye years Of age. know that some
OF my friends here have reached that age; but 10 have
announcement of that kind made in this presence
think, is tmed and not udicious. II il is true, think
il is unkind To expose the fact Still favor OF the
Mr.. DAWSON. will take everything back. in just
ice 10 the Chair and 10 the senator from New Hampshire
[Langhier Still say at the time, that believe
our best Judgments maiuTed maturing at period
between 65 and Is years OF age. lLaugherl Men in
this country are just then reaching The prime of life At
become more useful and distinguished al thai age than
Al any other. | shall not. therefore, throw my age.
vots, mean-ln favor OF putting men
oat Of oce just as they arrive at maturity and al which
Presidents, members OF Congress- and other officers have
been distinguished and well entitled to the admiration Of
MI BUTLER ] do no, know that many Of us are
entitled to be considered impartial judges upon this
Mr.. FOOTE. simply rise to say that doubt whether
we have the constitutional power TO make such pro-
VISION have gwen The subject considerable exanina.
ion, and that is my opinion. believe that TO make such
. limitation exceeds our competency.
The question being then taken upon the motion 10
strike out, =, was agreed 10.
BY inserting in the sih line OF the lst section the word
'six in the place where the word twelve" has been
siicken out and also in lines 10 and ~ that the words
stwo." "four,' and "sx,' be inserted in the place Of
-four" "eight," and twelve" The purpose OF the
Is make the tenure OF Office elk years in
stead OF twelve. In order 10 carry out the principles OF
The BILL is necessary that OF the judges inst appointed
one shall be for two, one Tor four, and one for SIX
years.
Mr. wHITCoMB. Mr. President when the question
has been put upon the amendment OF the senator from
Maine, shall submit motion 10 substitute the term
Of three years in the place OF six years The effect o my
will be to appoint the first commissioners for
The terms OF one two, and three years rose merely 10
give notice thai shall propose such amendment
MIR. HALE. wish TO give notice that shall miro
duce amendment to substitute nine years for six, 30
that The si appointments will be for the terms OF hree
Il The be- PREsiDING OFFICER. The question is frs,
upon the amendment OF the senator from Maine, MT
'SI' Mp. BuTiER. understand the senator from New
Hampshire has indicated his intention 10 move an
amendment for the purpose Of substituting the term Of
nine years II is my impression that the question should
be taken upon the longes, term first
Mr.. HALE. | will move, an amendment TO the
amendment Of the senator from Maine. that we substitute
the term OF nine years. and for The first appointment the
terms OF three, six, and nine years.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The senator can make
his proposition 1t s proposition TO strike out and in.
sert He cannot. however, move 10 amend the amend
ment.
Mr. HALE Is II not fair subject OF amendment
merely TO alter the term take the amendment of the
senator from Maine, all except the figures. Where he
puts six propose to put nine where he puts four pro-
pose to put and where he puts two propose to put
three propose tins course order meet the sugges-
ton OF the senator from South Carolina, MIR BvTLER
think il is proper for amendment to an amend
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendmen, is to
strike out and insert substitute; is il not
Mr. HALE. No, sir; the striking out was done yes.
terday The amendment is to insert certain words. i
propose to amend the amendment by changing some Of
those words.
Mr. MILLER. would inquire Of the Chair, II the
motion az the senator from Maine TMr Bp ppr vi pre-