The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-05-19
SPEECH OF HON. wm. M. ewIy.
or CALIFORNIA,

On Govsrnassnlal ddiaislr anon Of Affairs d, Col,f
"a reply 20 DIR. Peares, Of Maryland delivered a. b,
Senate April 80, 1852. W
The Senate. in committee OF the whole resum.a
the consideration OF the bill from the House OF Repessn
stves TO supply deficiencies in the appropriations Tor III
service OF the hscal year ending 3oth June, 1852
Mr.. GWiN said
Mr. PaEsIDENr In the remarks which submn,ad :
the Senate the other day, il my purpose 10 ea
any reflection on the character public services of Gen
Taylor My remarks applied simply 10 the abuses Which
in my Judgment, have resulted from the policy that wa
brought into the administration of this hv IL
elevation TO the presidency INDUCED in no personaiss
towards any one, much less towards distinguished
and yet pure American citizen now resting Nee
fully in his grave. In political discussion, win
out detracting from his character, without sestinn
TO lessen one OF those qualities which command ms
respect. and admiration, conceive that canno,
Justly be charged with any other than patriotic me-
lives when | maintain that he not we'll ouai6.a
for the position OF President, which requires great admin
istratye qualifications. as well AS much experience in
civil affairs. To sustain that opinion, brought 10 The
notice oil the Senate the evidence which was based
and il is rather singular fact that The senator from
Maryland Mr. PEARcEl has himself produced documents
which show that the present governmenithat 10 ssy
Tho administration OF the present President-has hs.u
compelled greatly TO reench the expenditure which org
mated in the policy of General Taylor, especially "a q,
regards my own State; and no further than that
He has brought forward proofs sufficient to satisfy hs
Senate and the country that there was in the depart
ment in California far larger expenditure than was me-
cessary objects OF doubtful necessity; that they were
they being greatly reduced in amount and The money
that is expended is for useful objects. The mme
daie and prompting cause OF This economical move in
the administration, whether il was in consequence Of hs
summary action OF Congress in cutting down the apuo
prstions for branch Of the public service one hall
and the distinct warning thus given OF the popular feel
ing condemnatory Of existing abuses, is question that
must be answered by the country
The senator has defended the appontmentof the Hon.
Thomas Butler King TO the agency which he was sent
to California, on the ground OF precedent The
ftu0n nnlnfpan ANITA nTarra L.
fore discussed, and do not intend to repeat what have
already said Suffice il say. that quoted The const
tuition OF The United States, detailed certain facts con-
from documents furnished BY General Tayor's admins
trat0n, and drew the conclusion that the appointments
conferred Mr. King abuses and in one instance
aviolation OF the constitution. The senator differs from
me ~ opinion aud states, by way OF argument that the
appointment OF members Of Congress to Offices such IA
General Taylor conferred upon Mr. King, were made un
der previous administrations
Mr. PEARCE. Will the senator excuse me for inter.
rupng him simply to stale that do not recollect any in
stance of such appointments being made do not know
that any member OF Congress has been appointed
Office. merely said that Mr. King was appointed to an
agency. not to Office, and therefore that his appoint
ment came not within the letter spirit of the consl
tulion.
Mr. GWIN. did not say that the agency. as the sen.
ato calls it, to which Mr. King appointed was vic.
lalon of the constitution, but that his appointment 10 the
Office OF collector al San Francisco was II there are
presidents for the first appointment, they hon.
Was there other person in The country capable Of
dschargng that delicate duty but Mr.. Kng-a member
elect oil the thirty first Congress In any aspect, sir
abuse and il holds out to members of Congress tempt.
alton 10 create the necessity OF such agencies TO which
they may be appointed during the recess The senator
expressed surprise al my statement that Mr. King could
have realized the emolumens OF his Office and bis
pay member OF Congress during the same period Of
lime. Yet such is the fact Mr. King was in receipt Of
IS per day. and his expenses for going 10 and returning
from California Suppose he had retained his seal III
nuu and dunt had Wash
after the first Monday OF December, ne would have
ceved his per diem and expenses up the day he took
his seat, and also has mileage.
But the senator says | was mistaken as to the power
conferred upon Mr.. King 10 control the army and The
navy Of the United States. On that point il will be
membered that produced public documents; and By
only power 10 control the army and the navy, but thahs
exercised it. read letters OF officers in chief commam
on the Pacific coast. BY which it is shown that they
obeyed the wishes OF MI. King as il he bad The com
mand. Here is letter of the Secretary Of the Navy
which did not read the other day. showing that The
same instructions were given by that department By
the head OF the War Department:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, April ;. 1919
SIR, This will be handed 10 you by the Hon T BuIh,
King, IL there should be- in his opinion occasion Tor Do
ug The object this is impress upon you he
desire Of the President tat yoa should ia all matters ea
nected with Mr. Kings mission. aid and assist him 10
ryng out tue views of the government expressed ia bis
instructions from the Department OF State, and that
should be guided by his avce and counsel in the conduc
OF all proper measures within the scope OF those n'e
lions.
am SIR very respectfully yopI 0bsdIspt ' esasroy
Commodore Tnos Ar @. JoSEs,
Commanding u s. naval forces, Pacific
Now, sir, think have shown conclusively that Nj
King had the power the Pacific coast OF controlling
the action OF the navy OF the United States. have
shown that by his order the Edith diverted from n
command OF The officer who had been sent out to take
charge OF her. and that the vessel los, in consequence
OF the order thus given by MIR King. will not now 20
into that argument again. but will merely refer 10 wha
have before asserted. and the official documents
brought forward TO sustain my allegations, that the power
given to Mr. King to control the army and The navy
the United States aud that he had power over the treas
ury TO draw for much money was necessary 10 caHy
out the object he was sent 10 accomplish Whal neees
sity there 10 give letter TO the collector unless
was expected 10 all MIR King ty honoring his drafts
| Mr.. PEARCE. II must be very engmatical letter.
il was given for such purpose. There Is certainly
nothing OF the kind expressed IN II.
| Mr. GWIN. What aid could the collector hive bin
except by honorng his drafsl lie was sent there
collect the customs.
Mr., PEARCE | think if gentleman desires leus
OF credit and has specific than that, be VII
lind his exchequer rather poorly supplied;
Mr.. GWlN. Mr.. King did not suffer for the want
money as will be found when his accounts ersn
med He 90, as much as he wanted not from Coleda
Collier, for he did not get 10 California until near
months after Mr. Kings arrival but the latter gentt
man no doubt fully supplied from the conveneH /
civil fund.
But 10 proceed have shown that General Smid /
fitted out very expensive expedition for the purpose
enabling Mr. King 10 explore The mines The ssnan |
replies that II was General Smiths duty TO explore ~
mines; whereas the point which made was, whens
il was proper that the power should be given TO m
King, civilian, 10 require that this expedition should
fitted out for bis purposes at such an expense VI
not originated 10 accomplish the objects OF General Sm
but 10 enable MIR. King 10 carry out his own views :
is the power that he was authorized to exercise w.
which | animadverted In addition to this, there w
M Ip Yuin n