The daily union., 1852-08-08


ought 10 measure the extent Of the nsnuailon which his
words make against the character OF the commilee oi
which be is a member. III &t M
But, sir, this is strange and wonderful excitement
thai gotten up here about five bundled dollars salary
for The services OF individual The monetary affairs
OF the government and all the departments OF the
involved in this mighty question OF $500
year for The salary OF officer cannot comprehend
it. at loss 10 imagine how this feeling is brought
about Ii seems TO have been introduced through our
friend the rst comptroller, and is not the st diff
Guilty which Nc has presented TO the Senate OF the United
States Ii is no. the first time that he has overued the
decision OF the presiding officer OF this body aud brought
himself into conflict with H. Was that raudi Il was
construed and this body made bear IT, and the
decisions OF the late Vice President OF the United States
and his dlsegarded. And yet now. DC,
senator The word fraud" the character OF
an individual, as exempt from fraud any mani 10
that imputaon here and the lmpuiaon ls 10 80
10 the country sanctioned by the high name OF senator
Sir, it is unjust, il is unknd and ungenerous, TO man
who has not conceived done single act inconsistent
with the sctes, honor and integrity And have never
heard my friend Massachusetts Mr. DAvIs speak
with excitement and animation IN hs lie than he
has to-day Surely that senator Is one OF the hrst 10
whom we should look TO protect the honor OF this body.
But let us 60 back TO this thing al once Where did II
Let look al II men, and not seek TO
ba rass the country and make them believe that anybody
here is seeking perpeiate fraud upoA the government
The first question which PROFOUND TO these gentlemen is
this Was the Census Board repealed-was annulled
Answer that question, each and every one OF you You
Mr. DAVIS will answer the senator So far as
the secretary it plain Interpretation OF the
act that the duties OF this office were closed and compile
ted. 48h. #
Mr. DAWSON. Exactly. That is the impression Of
my friend from Massachusetts; but who TO be the
Judges of that Was il the senator from Massachusetts,
was the Secretary Of the Interior, II the Board
Of Census itself There is the question. Come to il and
cenne yourselves 10 it. and not seek to destroy the char
acter of who has not offended in single act The
law not repealed Here il letter signed by Daniel
Webster and John j. Cr,tenden, stating that they
then commissioners down to this year, and that Mr. c.
G. Kennedy was secretary OF their board. And have
senators forgotten that this very Board OF Census through
their secretary, made report to the Senate OF the United
States, accompanying the Presidents communication al
state to the country that this board is end Here
Is the decision of Mr. Crittenden and Mr.. Webster,
nouncng the fact that they commissioners OF this
board and that Mr. Kennedy their secretary Where
does the fault rest Il rests in the legislation Of Congress
Mr.. DAVIS Will the senator allow 10 ask him
question ask the senator whether he contends that
this law perpetual law, and whether this secretary
ship is perpetual secretaryship!
A Mr.. DAWSON. will answer the genteman's
question: MOI it is not perpetual, but the Board of
Census are the individuals who are empowered TO ter
inmate it, and have got their decision to that effect
And is the opinion OF senator 10 go against theirs and
involve the character OF an individual connected with
that board Certainly not L is shielded and protected
BY the great OF Daniel Webster and John j. Crit
tenden and what he for the opinions of those who
seek 10 samp his character with the commission of fraud
would have no feeling upon this subject have pri-
tecon, however, to every man from an unjust stab,
when he has no power to defend HIMSELF or TO explain
hla conduct.
But how did this question originate Let senators
deny, if they dare, that they have passed two laws
giving salary to the secretary OF the Census Board
and to the superintendent. Do not these laws
isil Were they repealed by your act or decara
ton Never Then. II The secretary has right to ap-
point superintendent, what law what part of
constitution prevents conscrpton of both Offices in the
same individual None. The secretary then became
he rntpn two And
comes the lmpnation upon tins who has these two
offices combined in himself IL is said by claiming the
two salaries OF these Offices he is practising fraud upon
this government There is not particle of proof
in the voluntary contributions oil testimony that is here
presented, or in the statement OF Mr.. Williamson; and
will show you on the contrary, that this superintendent
dsclamed II from the beginning, and made bis selection
by taking, any man would have done, the highest
salary according to the settled practice of the govern
ment. Now, sit, how am | to prove this By tesii-
mo0y; and will wipe away the dust and blow of the
cloud which thrown this transaction, which is as
honorable as transaction can be- When did this thing
and why Is this feeling will show you
when ii originated; happen to have the before me
II originated with the comptroller OF the treasuryhere
il is. Mr. Stuart is called upon explain this NATTER
and here Is has statement OF The whole transaction.
desire TO call attention 10 IL
wAsmsoros, July %, 1852
SIN, have received your letter Of this morning, in which
you proceedings Of the Senate yesterday, and
request me to furnish you statement oil such facts as
acquainted with connected with your claim for 9TH
ria salary. In reply have to state that when took
charge OF this department. in September 1850 found
receiving salary OF $4,000.
Mr.. J. G. @. KENNEDY.
Mark you, the census law passed in June, 1850. and
when Mr. Stuart into the secrelaryshp he found
his individual receiving salary OF $4,000.
Mr. DAVIS. hope my friend will allow me 10 cor
rect him from the documents before me. MIR. Kennedy
did not receive any than 81 500. the accounts
here show, until after the Goth OF December, 1882 He
was no therefore, in the habit oil receiving that salary
in September, 1850.
Mr. DAWSON read from the statement Of the Sec.
reiary OF the Interior know nothing about the fact Of
which the senator speaks The letter OF the Secretary OF
the Interior proceeds;
This you continued 10 receive, as believe, without
objection, for months then learned that objections
rnised TO your receiving Than $500, the
ground secretary the Census Board
had ceased, and that from that you be regard
ed merely as experimenting clerk The disbpsDg agent
having made decision this effect, the subject
brought before officially, and examination of the
law was OF the opinion thar you justly entitled TO
So 900 long the Census B3ard required .ervices
and that when functions secretary OF that board
ceased, you would draw your salary as experimenting
clerk at the rate OF ", 500 per snnum,"
There is the point Of the whole question covered at
once. H0
I'm pursuance OF this opnlon addre.ed note to the
disbursng agent, insuucdng him allow you, in your
double capacity Board snper
intending clerk salary OF 5000 copy Of that note IL
herewith encosed-No. l."
Now, there were two controversies Mr.. Stuart saw
the condition IN which the conduct Of the United States
had left this question: with two salaries-and he
puts il down TO allowing the highest salary for both
vices, thereby excluding the possibility OF bis any
bodys coming forward hereafter and claiming unpaid
salary. And what could have been done Justly
proper and legal than ibis' Nothing
"Thus the matter stood until about January, 1851 !.
when the objections were renewed by the fret coprol
hare fbc obi of Mr.