The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-12

sion. Alter general election shall have taken place,
and shall have ascertaned the result Of that election,
we may general distribution Of offices every
where but think this is very bad time for the demo
Gratis 10 commence distributing the offices OF the Senate
For one, shall not agree TO II Just now | not pre-
pared for IT, II seems that this aims al general reyou
lion. might perhaps unite with the gentleman il lac
should Introduce resolution 10 remove particular Of
icer perhaps not, however. But il that be the object,
should like to zee Il proposed IN that form Al all
events am compelled TO oppose II Just now; and say
again. hoping that the gentleman will reflect upon that
this rs not very auspclous moment 10 commence any
thing Of this KIND in the Senate.
Mr. BERRlEN II was the concluding remark of The
senator from Indiana which announced 10 the princ
pie upon which he acting, and the principle which
actuaed him in preparing this resolution. Up to that
time did not understand what the principle was and
now, sir submit TO the honorable senator that there is
such principle involved in the present practice of the
Senate The principle 10 which he objects is that
officer under our institutions should have life estate
Sir, there is no lille estate IN the ministerial Offices OF the
Senate. You can by resolution at any time them
at once They hold their offices at the pleasure OF the
Senate They the occupants OF these places our
will We can remove them by vote OF the Senate at any
moment Certainly sir, il there be any misconduct upon
the part OF any officer Of the Senate. resolution Tor his
removal may be introduced and inquiry being thus in
suted The person accused will be furnished with the
means OF answering any allegation made against him
But by this process il II is designed TO affect the actual
ncumbens, they TO be deprived of their offices and
condemned unheard. They are 10 be removed 10 be
Invested OF the present tenure OF their offices and they
are to depend upon their capacity TO obtain the votes OF
senators 10 restore them. Now, take it for granted
yet the Senate body, holding itself responsible to
the country for acting upon principles OF equity and JUS
tice, will admit that no officer shall be removed who
faithfully discharges the duties incumbent on him. ILL.,
then, there be single individual in the present Official
corps OF the Senate OF different characterf there be
any who has failed TO discharge all his duty
other. in the removal of that individual upon the state
ment and satisfactory evidence Of the fact But do reiter
ate what has been affirmed by the senator from Illinois,
Mr.. Shields that it really does not become US TO con.
vert the Senate chamber into chamber for scrambng Tor
Offices We these officers in much shor ter
period than that proposed if we shall think it proper
Mr. HALE. | have endeavorcd, sir, in the humble
field in which have moved, to move consistently; and
have usually looked out for the privates understand
this resolution to be aimed at the prvates II this reso
luton therefore, shall be insisted upon shall move to
include in it the presiding officer OF this body also The
resolution asks for the election OF The officers OF the body
at the commencement OF each Congress Why not take
the whole! wish that the Senate should be consistent
and therefore propose that we begin at the head OF the
chapter. shall vote against this resolution and in
proposing this amendment need not say that do i ns
because have any objections to the present presiding OH
Ger, but that do il influenced by desire 10 push
great principle think il is the best way TO push great
principle not to push against the small only but
to take the large Ones take the head and apply il there
and if il applies in case, let it be applied to all.
Mr.. BRIGHT. The honorable senator from Georgia
Mr. BERRIENl and the honorable senator from Illinois
Mr. SHIELDsl reason upon this subject as though were
striking at particular officers OF this body. have an
nounced that did not seek desire change OF the rule
order TO reach any particular officer III either OF those
Mr. BERRiEN VIII the senator allow me to ex-
plain | have not made the slightest suggestion that
he was acting through any such motive. ! know he is
Mr. BRIGHT ! said, when first up, that my object
was TO renstae rule that had been over twenty years
in operation and one that is in unison and harmony with
the principles OF the government under which we legs-
late.
cannot refrain from expressing my surprise at the
opposition of the honorable senator from Illinois [Mr
SHIELDS had every reason 10 suppose that the prn
cple sought to be established by the resolution would
have found advocate him but, instead thereof, he
seeks rather TO weaken my proposition. By alleging that
my motion imprudent one and not altogether we'll
Timed am at loss how 70 n,s irs he anESags Of
mprudent in asking the Senate TO declare that hereafter
they will elect their officers every two years thus alb
rogaiing the law of life estates 10 Offices OF this body
Certainly ia not i'll timed here anywhere else under
a republican form OF government TO advocate and declare
in favor OF so sound political principle as the one sought
to be established by this resolution In view of The po.
litcal changes in this government, and the party pro-
scrpton that has characterized the present admnsta
lon think there is something due our political friends
wherever we have the power and the present ncum
bents deserving the support OF the party IN the
cendani here, they have nothing to fear from rensat-
ing the old rule.
have offered the resolution because believe il right
defend il because OF my determination 10 permit no
pressure from any quarter TO influence my political action
and il voted down now, shall renew it whenever rata-
mentary order permits.
A word in reply TO the motion and speech Of the hon
orable senator from New Hampshire. Mr.. HMEl lie
moves 10 include the PRESIDENT pro tcmp0e IN Inc list oil
officers TO be elected I will venture to advise him 10
bring up that Independent proposition II is not
gemane TO the question before the Senate That officer
is chosen under constitutional enactment and The ten
urc OF his office dependant something higher than
mere rule OF the Senate | hope he will not persist in
his motion 10 amend, but allow 10 vote the
luton as II is.
Mr. BADGER Mr. President, the honorable senator
from Indiana Mr.. BRIcHTl seems TO be disposed TO get
back again, and TO stand super dntquas uias with the
Senate. Well, sir, do . and suppose the rule OF
the Senate, II now exists, IS the very Old rule under
which the Senate originally organized, and which
has been in force in this body for very large proportion
OF the time since this body has had existence agree
with the honorable senator that II is very proper that
every legislative body al lis organization, should select
and choose its officers But will he tell me when this
metz When has there ceased 10 be Senalei At what
period did the Senate commence At what mo-
men IL, in the past history oil this body, when
without an organization Sir, under the constu-
ton, no such thing takes place in this body new
Senate and organization When the Senate com
menced its proceedings il adjusted the appointment OF
its officers according 10 the nature OF ls constitution,
and not according the nature OF the constitution Of the
other house OF Congress and so proceeded for many
years.
But Mr. President do not desire TO go into inquiries
OF this kind. but merely TO present 10 the Senate this
consideration The rule il is now desired TO reinsate had
existed for number OF years Daring the last Congress
The senator from Missouri, not now member OF this
body, MIR Benton offered resolution TO rescind the
order, and 10 restore the condition OF practice TO
what il had been from the beginning. We all recoect
that that resolution ntroduced-hat was adopted
by the unanimous consent Of this body. Not one word
wa. said against it, What is the inference We must
suppose, nobody objected that everybody was in IA
vor of it, Well sir, il everybody was in favor Of II
"a 4. nt