The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-01
THIRTY-SECOND CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
FRIDAy, April 80, 1852.
SENATE.

sldeTatlOn OF DeHclenCy OIL. lie said that the
state Of his health such that he would prefer
proceeding with his remarks to-day, for he did not
know that he would be able TO do any other
day. He also suggested, as reason why this bill
should now be considered that the Quarter
masters Department was out of money. and there
troops now at Philadelphia destined for Ore
gon, and they could not be despatched till an ap-
preparation was made. The motion then
agreed to-
CLAIMS ARISING THE conquest OF CALI
FoRSIA
The bill providing for the settlement OF claims
against the United States arising out Of the mill
tary operations in California during tho years
1916 and lS47 was taken up, by unanimous con-
sent, and passed.
The Senate then resumed the consideration Of
the
pErIsIEScY BILL.
Mr., PEARCE said he had overlooked, yesterday,
a charge made by the Senator from California,
(Mr GwIS) That Senator stated that General
John Wilson, the Indian Agent to Utah, shortly
after his arrival there, had resigned his office,
and proceeded to California; before doing so, how
ever, he had buried his private property with
view to its preservation, he not having the means
Of Transporting with him; that after his arrival in
California, expedition sent out by the Quar-
termasters Department to the valley of the Sacra-
mento, under an order from the War Department,
for the express purpose of bringing to California
tue private property OF Wilson, and that this expo
diton cost the sum Of S 100000. This the
charge of abuse made by the Senator. He would
think it was great abuse if he did not know the
Major Allen. assistant quartermaster, told differ
ent story. He read the report OF Major Allen, by
which il appea red that, in consequence Of
ploring expedition under Captain Warner having
been treacherously set upon by party Of Indi-
ans and surprised, in the conflict which ensued
Captain Warmers life lost. An expedition
sent out for it's relief, and to pursue and pun
sh the Indians. This expedition, in the perform
ance OF its duties, were brought in the neigbbor-
hood of the place where General Wilson's property
was buried On their return, they were met by
an order to bring with them and under their pro-
lection that property. From this statement II
appeared that the expedition was not sent out for
the purpose of bringing General Wilson's goods,
but for proper and legitimate military purposes.
He then rene W ed his review of the suggestions of
abuses and of their edies, by the Senator from
Virginia, (Mr HuNTER,) All those abuses had
been corrected as far as was In the power OF the
present Secretary of War, or measures taken for
that purpose. The abuse mentioned by the Semi
tor, of officers OF he army having been engaged in
contracts for supplying the army with provisions,
&c. had been checked BOON as 1t came TO the
knowledge OF the Secretary, 30 far as ne could do
The law did not forbid this conduct; and the
President could not ell dismiss the officers from the
army they having been tried by court tia and
acquitted. The Secretary. long before the Sena-
tors speech, had addressed the appropriate
mitees Of Congress, calling their attention to the
subject
The alleged abuse of the great delays in the set
tlement OF quartermasters' accounts was Tor the
most part attributable TO the existing laws. which
allowed those officers extended period for the set
Element of those accounts The Secretary of War
had not neglected this matter He had addressed
one hundred and forty circulars to disbursing Off
Gers, directing a speedy settlement OF their &C
counts and threatening, In some instances, to re-
port them, IN case OF failure to the President for
dismissal
He discussed the subject of reforming the practice
OF settling these accounts, and pointed out the fact
that many of the evils OF the present system were
in consequence Of defects in existing laws.
He commented for some time upon the remarks
Of Mr.. HUNTER respecting the system or practice
Of transfers Of balances Of appropriations from one
object TO another. That Senator had read an opn-
ION by Mr.. Attorney General Berrien adverse to
the eystem. Under the administration of Mr.. Van
Buren,, Attorney General Grundy gave different
construction OF the law, and overruled the previ-
, ously given opinion Of MIR. Berrien. In conse
quence of that opinion OF Mr.. Grundy, the system
WIS adopted, and has continued to this time.
He replied also TO the comments upon the prac.
tice of quartermasters drawing upon each other
and passing those acceptances from one part OF the
country 10 another, as a sort of currency He read
"a letter from the Department showing that this
practice grew up during the war, and existed now
a hmilcd extent only.
He read from tables prepared al the Department
20 show that. since the cose of the the eIpend
lures OF the Quartermaster's Department had been
annually diminished, and that for the year ending
June 80, 1852, the diminution from the preceding
year considerable.
He agreed with the Senator that there was a
great evil with regard TO the present organiza-
ton Of the clerks Of the several departments,
and that reform might well be accom- plished in
this particular. lie thought the selection Of clerks
ought to be placed upon the footing of merit
and qualifications. He thought much Of the
evls Of the present system could be attributed to
the policy that "to the yictors belonged the spoils
He would rejoice 10 a return 10 that system
vhich prevailed previous 10 1928 The answer 20
the Senator's call upon the Administration for
some plan Of obvatng these difhculties, would be
answered in few days; IT had been delayed in
consequence of the abscnce from time to time OF
some Of the Secretaries
While The act of 1920 gave to the Secretary Of War
foil power ut any time TO make contracts for the
use Of the Qusrtermaster's Department and Sub
sistence Bureau, whether any appropriation wac
made or not, yet the preseut Secretary Of War bad
never exercised that power during the sitting OF
Congress lie now declined doing 90, although
there troops in Philadelphia ordered 20 Oregon,
bot who cannot go for want Of horses. The Secrc-
tnry prefers TO wait for the passage OF this Def
cheney bill.
He did not think the Senator's remedy for these
abuses change Of admnstratOn-vas the safest
or surest one. What guarantee had the country
that such a change would be for the better Under
Whist administration did these abuses originate
and grow Not under this Administration, bot
under lite Democratic predecessors. Who appointed
these qusrtermasiers guilty OF these e1travsgant
erpendituros' Not this Administration, bot that
Of Mr.. Polk.
should this Administration go out Of power the
public business would be left in a more comforta-
be condition for its successors than 1t was left 10
by Mr. Poke administration. That administra-
ton left the public businets surrounded with diff
oulties An extensive territory had been acquired;
IL was remote, without population for the most
part, yet IL bad 10 be protected nothing bad been
done 20 give government to any Of these Terrific
rice and civil and military organizations
had 20 be established. All these extended opera
tions had been successfully accomplished
Al this day there vas no more expended for the
service Of the navy proper than was expended in
1sf5, although there were larger squadrons ahoat
lie read table Of the expenditures for the naval
service from ls4l TO the end Of the last fiscal year
lie did not think this prosperous condition Of
public affairs would be benefited by any change
Of thOse who were to administer power. He hardly
thought the change would DO for the better, even
II the Senator from Michigan, (Mr C.ss,) or from
Illinois, (Mr. DoUGLhs,) or from California, (Mr.
GvIr.) wac chosen the chief Of the adj.
ministration. lie regarded the public business 60
well administered nov, that they in that
condition where, " any change took place, it net
be for the worse lie would therefore advise that
they be len in the hands Of those who at present
control them.
MIR Gw1N addrcssed The Senate for nearly an
hour in reply.
After which, the bill was, on motion Of Mr..
RUSK, postponed till Monday.
Numerous petitions we're presented and reports
made.
Mr.. BRADBURY reported till providing for
holding the United States district court Of the Dis
- a lf,.f.t In