The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1852-06-05

INT PAUL. MINNESOTA TERRITORY, SATURDAY UNE 1879
From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser.
Assaults on the Administration.

Assaults ON the Administration.
1t is an easy task to assail the reputa-
ton and integrity of public officers, when
the detractor is entirely unscrupulous as
to the means he employs to accomplish
his ends. Every day the violence Of
partizans and the recklessness of politi-
cal opponents, afford evidences of the fa-
cility with which wholesale charges can
be made against the most discreet Ad-
ministration, and baseless rumors fabrica-
ted TO impeach the most honorable men.
Thoughtless ignorance, and wiful mis-
representation are alike INCREASINGLY en-
ployed in the occupation of traducing
public officers. TO make charges is,
however, one thing-to prore them is an
other
1t would be difficult TO point to an Ad-
ministration in the history Of our country
less liable to censure than that of Mr..
Fillmore, and yet it has not escaped the
assaults Of reckless opponents. The la
test specimen Of this system of indis-
criminate censure has been furnished by
Mr.. Gwin, the Democrat, Senator from
California. This gentleman, with pecu-
liar desire to distinguish himself by doing
something, undertook lately in a debate
on the Deficiency bill, in the U. S. Senate,
to display his acumen and knowledge by
a review, critical and condemnatory, of the
management of public affairs by the pres
ent administration. The gentleman's S re-
marks were lengthy and his charges
were very sweeping. Unfortunately,
however, for their author, they lacked the
simple ingredient of truth.
The charges of MIR. Gwin were met
by Senator Pierce of Maryland, in a clear
and forcible speech, in which the course
OF the administration in every point men,
toned in the ill-judged attack, was fully
vindcated
The first charge made by Senator
Gwin, was that Mr.. T. Butler King was
appointed special agent to California while
member Of the House. This is sa,is-
tactorily disproved by Senator Pearce,
who holds besides that a special agent
like Mr.. King, was not an officer recog-
nized by law, and that he was not invest
ed with complete power over the army
and navy. Mr.. Gwinn himself voted
for the confirmation of the appointment
OF Mr.. King as collector.
MIR. Gwin takes exception to the ex-
pense Of The escort sent out with Gen.
Wilson, which amounted to $4,000
Mr.. Pearce refers TO the escort sent out
by Mr.. Polk's administration with Weller,
the Boundary Commissioner, at a cost OF
SOL 600. and by Gen. Taylor's admins
tration with Messrs. Collier, Wilson and
others, the expenses Of which reached
$56,OCO. He does not, however, rest
his defence upon these precedents, but
proves that the military force in question
must have gone out whether Wilson did
or not. All the matters relating to this
affair, were satisfactorily answered by
Mr.. Pcarce.
A very unfortunate count in Mr..
Gwln's Indictment, was the charge made
against the present administration, of the
unwiSe selection of Benicia as the chief
military depot Of California, and the ex-
travagant outlay there for barracks and
the like. An inquiry into this affair
proves that the place was selected by
Gen. Persifer Smith. who was appointed
by Mr.. Polk and that the expenditure
was ordered by him. The proceedings
were countermanded by the present Sec
retary of War, SO soon as he came into
office; and the battery of Mr.. Gwin
was therefore directed against his own
friends.
Wo oopoo ,,o,,, 4o tlo C,l;co~,;o I'll:
ans. Congress had at different times ap-
propriated $4,000 for them. Three
commissioners or agents were appointed !;
they arrived there and had no money. 1t
was advisable to treat with the Indians on
account of the alarm and anxiety that
prevailed. The commissioners applied
TO Collector King for $25,OOO. He re-
fused, but, by the advice of Mr.. Gwin,
advanced $4,000. The commissioners
then divided the State into three districts,
each proceeding to seperate one. They
could not go alone; escorts were necessa-
ry. MIR. King advanced $l50,00O to the
Quarter-Master's department, but only
$4,000 Of it were expended on the es-
corts, the rest was appropriated to other
services by the department.
These advances were illegal, and had
been condemned by the administration /;
but may be defended on the ground of
imperious necessity, as well as the adj
vance of $4,000 recommended, as we
have seen, by Mr.. Gwin. 1t made no
difference in principle, whether the sum
was five thousand or five millions. These
commissioners are admitted to have ex-
ercised powers he did not legally possess,
in negotiating treaties with the Indians.
The Senator from California complains
that they have not been laid before II
Senate. These treaties were not receiv
ed before the lst of January, and the
President has properly detained them for
examination and further information.-
The Senate will need it as much as the
Executive. The President disapproyes