The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-13

WEEKLY. ---- 2W
panaxks OF Mr.. MoClcynand, OF Illinois,
In the House IF Representatives, IN Committee
If The Whole on The state ef The Union, in faror
If a Reorganization ef the Department Of
SAFE" dsliCered January %, 1851.
Mr. McCLERNAND said: l believe, sir, it
90 be allowable, according to the practice that
has long prevailed IN COMMITTEES Of the Whole
ON the state of the Union, to discuss in that
Union, and of course within TINT limit, any mat
ter affecting the organization and the admins
trstion of the several departments of the gov
ernment AS an example of this truth, ! may
refer TO the debate which took place yesterday
and today on this bill. The gentleman from
Indiana, Mr.. RoBIKsoE,] who opened this de-
bate, directed his remarks to different bill, on
another subject not vt I'll before the committee.
relating to tie condition and the administration
Of the Department of the Interior. After him
the debate was continued by gentleman from
Pennsylvania, Mr. HAMPTON who spoke on
different subject, relating 10 alleged defects in,
and to the operation of the existing tariff law,
and to-day course Of debate equally wide and
various has beeen pursued. In view, therefore,
of what appears to be the established practice in
this respect and after the examples quoted,
suppose it will be equally in order for me TO ad-
dress myself to still another subject falling
within the range already recognized and sane
toned.
propose, sir, to speak in favor Of a reorgan-
izstion of the Department of State, and Of
retrenchment in the expenditures growing out of
the service amenable to that department; and
for the purpose of presenting the subject to tho
committee in tangible form, ] will send to the
Clerks desk to be read, a bill introduced by me
sometime since, and which, as member of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs will report to
the House by their Instructions at the first
opportunity. | propose, sir, to speak on this
subject now, and In connection with the bill
mentioned, because by doing so will probably
save time hereafter, which it may be cannot SO
well be spared by the business Of the House
for debate.
An act TO reovganize and inprovelthe efficiency
of The Department Of Stale:
Be ii enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatipes Of The United States Of America in
Congress assembled, That an officer shall be ap-
pointed in the State Department, by tho Secre-
tary of State, to be called the Assistant Secre-
tary Of State, whose salary shall be $4,000 per
annum, who shall perform such duties as shall
be assigned to him by the Secretary of State.
Sec. 2. And be ii further enacted, That it
shall be lawful for the Secretary of State to en-
ploy, in addition to the clerks authorized by ex-
listing laws four principal clerks, whose salaries,
respectively, shall not exceed the sum of $4,000
per annum; and one clerk whose salary shall
not exceed $l,40o per annum.
Amendment reported by the committee
SEC. 3. And be L. urther enacted, That when.
ever any diplomatic representative of the United
States at foreign government, shall be absent
from his legation, and not in consequence Of
any order or instruction of the Department Of
State to that effect, his salary during such alb
sence shall be suspended and became forfeited
to the United States, and 80 much thereof may
be paid over, under the direction of the Depart
ment of State, to any agent who shall have per
formed the duties of the legation during sucl
nbsence, under the instruction of said depart
ment rs shall not exceed the salary of a Charg
d'Affaires of the United States for the sam
time: Prorided, That the receipt of such com
pansation by such temporary agent shall be t.
ken to be afull remuneration and discharge of hi
claim TO any other or further compensation fo
the same time
Mr.. JONES. rise to point Of order Doe
the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Al
sairs offer what has been read as an amendment
to the pending bill?
Mr.. McCLERNAND. Not at all. hav
caused the paper to be read, as indicating tn
form of the subject to which, expect to speak
but will say that if it be the disposition o
any member to interrupt me by point of order
/ would prefer that he should do 80 now, rs
would dislike to be arrested in the course of m,
remarks, after having progressed with them TO
time.
The CHAIRMAN The gentleman from II
iinois is in order.
Mr. McCLERNAND. Having, then, tn
opinion of the Chair in my favor, l will process
at once with my remarks.
Having examined the subject indicated by tn
bill which has been read am persuaded Of it
merit and will endeavor to satisfy the member
Of the committee that timely action should b
taken upon it. ! am fortified in this view by tn
opinions Of those who have had the best oppor
tunities Of forming correct judgment in regart
to it. Mr.. Calhoun, as understand. expressed
the opinion, either during or after the close Of
his administration of the Department of State
that urgent reasons existed for reorganization
Of that department So have been informed
by the gentleman from the Charleston district
in South Carolina, Mr.. Holmes on whose au-
thorty | make this statement. The successors
ol NT. N7iuouU nave COTTOODTateQ MS authority
on this subject. Mr.. Buchanan in a communi-
cation addressed by him ms Secretary of State
to the chairman of the Judiciary Committee in
1916, says:
"A year has now elapsed since the present
Secretary took charge of this department; and
the conviction has been forced upon him, that
in the diplomatic consular branches it is wholly
inadequate to perform the duties which it owes
to the country"
Mr.. Clayton and Mr.. Webster successfully
addressed like communication, in the same
character, to the chairman of the Committee on
Ways and Means, Mr.. BAyLY,] of which the
chairman Of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
has been furnished with copies; together with Q
note from Mr. Webster on the same subject
Mr.. Clayton says" The pressure of public
business requires that some additional fore,
should be appointed and provided for, withou
delay" &c. ut will be impossible, with tn
present force in the department, though will
the devotion of all my time to the public ser
vice, 10 prevent injury from the want of clerica
force, To the public interest"
Mr. Webster adds what ia couallv no;ntod an