The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-06-10
NO. VIII.

provlso contained m an act entitled can act ma
king appropriations for the payment Of the civil
aud diplomatic expenses Of The Government, for
the year ending The thirlieth day Of June, eigh-
teen hundred aad fty-one relating to the officers
of the Territories Of the United S,a;e.,'' be and
the same is hereby so modified, as 20 authorize
the payment Of the salary Of any officer therein
named, Notwithstanding such officer may have
been absent from such Territory, and his official
duties, for more than sixty days: Pr0rided The
President of the United States shall certify Off
cially bis opinion that the absence of such officer
has been for good and sufficient cause.
Mr. RICHARDSON. ] move that the COM
mtee rise. with view 10 terminate debate up
on this bill. will state Mr. Chairman, that
shall nct propose 10 limit the debate upon it 50
soon as have upon the others; but l wish ths
debate limited 50 that We may not be again enga-
scd lii the discussion Of national politics.
Mr.. GORNlAN | have an amendment 70 pro-
pose before The gentleman makes hat motion
The CHAIRMAN. 1t g not in order ~ this time.
The question was then put Oh the moiion, and
1t was agreed to.
! The committee accordingly rose, and the
Speaker la my resumed the chair, the Chairman
of the COMMITTEE reported that tie Coulmittes Of
the Whole on the state Of TIE Cnon, had had tho
state os the Union generally under consideration,
and particularly the specai order, being Senate
bll No 10, and had coue no conclus on thereon.
! Mr.. RICHARDSON move that all debate
IN Committee OF the hole the state Of the
[ non upon Senate bill Ne. l,5 be terminated in
one hour after the committee shall have resumed
I is considerations
! Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee. l move 10 strike
out cone hour, and insert ''three hours" This
Is bill o! cons !derable Importance. Ii IS one In
Vo|'ms the question, whether we Will pay the
territorial ludaes and officers when they absent
themselves from Their posts.
MIR. RICHARDSON. / will accept that a.
mendmen; fori think the matter should be debated.
! The question was then pat on the adoption OF
the resolution as modified, and there weie, on a
dvision-ayes 7s Noes mol colnled
SO the resolution adopted
Mr. RICHARDSON | move that The rules
be suspended, and that The House again resolve
itself into the Committee Of the VI hole on the
state Of the Union.
The question was put, ard he motion was
agreed to.
The House accordingly again resolved itself
INTO committee, and ierurIed the cons Iteration
oi Senate bi!I No rs. ia regard to the salaries
Of the territorial officers.
Mr. SIBLEY. 1t is not my intention, sir. 10
make any long explanation of the biz now before
the committee. | wish 10 rem ark however. that
daring the last Congress il was found necessary,
IN consequence Of the continued absence Of the
officers from Minnesota and Oregon Territories,
that some treasures of a stringent character should
be adopted by Congress, with view of keeping
those gentlemen ut their posts. The honorable
member from Tennessee, Sir Gentry, who ~
not now in his seat moved that the clause in the
appropriation bill, which provinces that If an OFF,
Ger shall absent himself from his post for lou-
ger period than sixty days al one time, he shall
lose his whole salary for the year consider
tha, very proper provision. Although i, doubt
less might operate uncquay and perhaps unjust
L., y. L.. 6
er;.i character, is necessarily attended with n
justice TO individuals, but when such case arises.
Congress should promptly redress any such injury.
The bill which passed the Senate at this
sion, and now before The House, conta med pro-
visions which do not meet with my appreciation.
That bin etieciuaIly annuis all the prevIo0s ieg-
lSa,oa the subject. Il pro, ides that every
officer who absents hiuseIl tor period Of sixty
days, a.cre. i,ou his pos' daring the wear, shall
not lose his salary .of the whole year, bat merely
pro rata compensation Tor tie period tie may ia
absent. Thai ! contended against as not sutii-
cien'ly precautionary IN H. character. stated
to the Committee on Territories that did not be-
heSc i, woud have the Effect to keep territorial
officers AZ their posts. The Committee On Terri~
tories at the ursen, solicitation Of the Delegates
Of the Territories, have replaced that clause Ia IS
original form. They nOw provide # an officer ~
absen, any ,u1e--ihere IS no,h.rs about the re-
.irclion Of sixty days from the field Of his off,
cili duties he shall lose his salary lor he entire
wear, unless he can procure certificate from tie
President that he had good cause for his absence.
regard this as absolutely necessary FOR the pro-
lection Of the public interests Of The people Of the
Territories, although gentlemen may differ and
DO differ in regard TO this particular power pro-
posed TO be placed in the hands Of the President,
to grant e,fcers OF the Territory certificates for
their absence for causes satisfactory to him. i,
myself, have opinion TO express on that SUBJECT.
The honorable gentleman from Oregon MIR.
Lane ask ed that his Territory should be made
an exception, and the President, by the amend
ment, which probably will be offered 10 tins bill.
will have such discretion given hlm in regard
to the Territory of Oregon that he has with ref
erence TO the other Territories. The Delegate
stated it matter OF great importance 10 tho
people Of Oregon that that clause should be made
imperative IN its characterthIt no power should
be !eft the President and The committee, at h'
Icarncst request, made it a special exception. l
dld not ask that to be done was perfectly viii
linz to leave i, 10 this House ard the other branch
Of Congress TO say whether they were wiling or
not to place tbs Discretionary power in the hands
Of the President MY WOW or the matter is,
that if officers accept office ia the Territories, for
which they are well paid by lhe Government.
they ought 20 be willing to renein there. and dis
charge The Legitimate du;Ies Of the Office. There
are q great MANY gentlemen who are pcrletciy
wiling 10 accept these offices, who are capable
OF dlschareing properly their duties, and who will
consent Ia renla IN there. But the Delegate from
New Mexico Mr. WeightInanl stated that If this
clause was made imperative IN i,s character. It
would operate with great hardship upon some OF
the oGicers Of bis Territory, who were anxious To
come to the States for the purposC oi taking out
their families. ] was not wiling 10 make Mn
nesoa a spcriai exception, a. the Delegate from
Oregon has done I wisi, any las that may be
passed hy Congress 10 be general III liz operation
hope that the features Of the bill sent Us from
the Senate will be modified 10 conform 10
,he original clause. | am IN iavor of making tie
provision az s,ringen, as is consistent with justice
10 al and ,f the officer docs absent hmsief with
cu at least showing good canse therefor, he should
not be paid dollar Of his yearly salary.
do not know exactly what wiil be the effect
Of be slowing upon me President the right TO mako
exceptions for cause. ,hink the bill, as now
submitted to ,he committee, N Other respects, and
perhaps in that also, is proper and Jus;---Ius! TO
he people Of the Territories and Just to the 'o'-
ernment and It's officers. Ii | coaid suppose that
the discretion contemplated 10 be given TO the
pr.sicnt in the svbstjtute offered hy the Com.