The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-18

| have other rsasoas why this rssoluaion
should not be referred 10 the CosIm ee of Ways and
Means. That committee In fact OF ak membss
only because thai number constitutes The majority and
therefore, i 10 presumed the power OF ths committee
and ha. committee Is so constituted locally that lis rec
omDendaon will not have the influence that il ought 10
hsvc. Nov, wAefe are thess SIX members from, who
are IN TACT ne power OF This government We have one
from New Hampshire one from Philadelphia. and ihen
we have the other four all in the region OF the
countTy--oDe IN Alabama, one in Tennessee, in
kentucky, and one in Missouri.
slhs Committee Of Ways and Means. sir, have more
power than the President OF the United Sates they set
upon all his measures they set upon his salary and
upon everything he recommends TO the country Ihey
originate all appropriation bills which 70 to the Senate
and the Senate can have nothing unless that Committee
OF Ways and Means says They are the all Absorb
ing and all eDgrossDg power OF this nation lhey are
lar ahead N power and influence OF all me olne com
miltees OF the House and the humblesl posuon on ha
committee is more desirable than The best on any olneI
do not know how many committees we have ou' .nsy
are. when all combined. as nothing 10 comparison us
ctairmen of large proportion OF them have as nominal
title as title in the militia. Many would prefer
military title thar of chairman Of any one 81 The greater
portion OF the committees Of TINS HOUSE sios. ne
and they are no, expected TO meet and honestly be-
leve that we fast approaching hae when we
shall need no other committee but that OF Ways and
Means The Fix gentlemen Of that committee. consia-
ting its majority. as have said are in TACT the whole
government, OF this country. When gentleman is
placed upon it, he knows that he has one OF The highest
positions the government. far power is concern
ed and look upon the position of chairman OF the
Committee Of Ways and Means as The most honorable
position under the government; and he has the right to
look to the next Baltimore Convention as The next com
promise candidate for the presidency. Laughter
II is proposed, repeat 10 refer this subjec, 70 the
Committee Of Ways and Means; and have asked from
whence the six members who constitute lis major
iiyi The six Tree States OF the great Northwest have
not member on that committee. u may DO said that
none OF us qualified 10 be on that committee but
qualification has nothing to do with The appointment OF
us members. and il has not had for many years past
tLsugher.J The question arises, Have we any friends
Of the administration out OF the whole delegation OF the
six northwestern Slaess There were any number OF us
admitted TO the that nominated the Speaker. Is
there not one OF them that can be trusted with the hon
or and credit Of this administration! might go further
and alude 10 other portions Of the country DISTINGUISHED
that committee but leave il for every individual 10
take OF his own section OF the country Yet must
say that these six gentlemen not sufficiently scattered
over the country do justice 10 all sections, and afford
strength 10 the administration No additional weight will
be gwen this bill because OF lis reference TO the Com
miltee of Ways and Means for the have stated
and might well come to The test al once and the
the better, in my judgment Asa friend OF The ad
minlstraon, am prepared 10 vote Tor it, now or here
after. Ii any gentlemen here opposed 10 The admin
siraton aud dare not record their votes, they not
f 10 be members OF Congress. Let me tell gentlemen
how strike the administration, if they must stake.
They should do ii openly and bsldly so that the admin.
istralon would see as well feel the blow. Tnen, il
they afraid they will take the proper steps to conci
late To strike in the dark is malice, and the admins
trson, not knowing who struck, knows no, whom TO
conciIiae believe that every gentleman in this House
prepared the question OF reproying repr
handing Secretary Guthrie for bis appointment OF Mr.
Washington, or the question OF removing Mr.. Wash
nglon. will move the previous question, so as TO bring
th House direct vote and give every one chance
10 know who is Tor and who against the administration
Mr.. DISNEY. request The gentleman viii withdraw
MI WENTWORTH am willing 10 do 80. but
gentlemen all around me insist upon our taking the vote
to-day.
The previous question was no, seconded
Mr.. DISNEY | had not intended, Mr.. Speaker, to
have medted with the debate which has sprung up in
gard to the resolution penting before this House
bu, that debate has taken which me 10
require some remarks. They shall be but few words,
in relation to the position Of The matter presented
before for consideration. And here Tor all,
and definitely let protest against the suggestion OF
any action that may be taken with reference TO this
luton being interpreted either Tor or agains, the adj
minlslraton. proclaim myself 10 be friend of the
listing administration OF the government OF these United
States But, while | am such friend, no consideration
gro wing out OF this friendship, OF relations OF that kni
shall deter prevent the IRON the discharge OF any
duty which may believe deyolves on me as represent
alive OF free and independent constituency.
Objections, SIR. have been made tba. there consli
tuonal ques ions involved in the existing appointment
OF the orbcer named in this resolution. Now, it per-
iecy obvious that il these objections well ,aken The
suggestions in The amendment proposed TO the action OF
this body, with reference TO supposed difficulties 10
hereafter out of place Ii the Congress OF the United
States have passed law, which in Its vital functions is
in conflict with the constitution. the remedy should be
applied once and be left any hereafter II there
be no constitutional dcuIy in the way, the whole mat
ter is narrowed down TO The single question Of expe-
diency Ii II be merely, then, question OF expedency,
let 40 treat il but IL il be question OF constitutional
difficulty or OF constitutional objection, there should be
hereafter 10 the action of this House; but i'm
peravey called upon 10 apply the remedy, as have sad
al once
For myself sir had supposed that the reading OF the
constitution would have satished gentlemen in every
quarter OF the House confess, sir, was surprised,
when heard the gentleman from Alabama MIR. Pull
IPs who last addressed the House, take the ground and
give the construction which he dd to this clause OF the
constitution. What The object OF the trainers Of that
instrument in adopting the language which hnd there
guard the public interests OF the county in order 10
cure faithful full, and prompt execution oil the vari
duties which might devove by the leg sature OF the
county, upon the various officers TO be appointed. that
the should be selected with oare-with exceeding
care The public interest demanded that sort OF care
vide for They provided that in the appointment uf all
public ofhcen 10 discharge the moarious and import.
ant duties which might be imposed upon them by the
Congress OF the Union men should be selected by the
exercise Of the discretion of the President subject after
wards TO the supervision OF the Senate II double
supervision they required in order TO the proper
and the right persons Such il the substantial meaning
OF that clause OF the constitution How does 1t read sir
II says:
OF the Senate, TO make treaties provided wohds
the senators present and be shall nominate, and
by snd with the advice and consent Of the Senate shall
sppoint ambassadors other pubic mniseu sod consus
judges Of the Supreme Cont and s other officers OF
United States hose appointments herein rwis9
provided for and which shall be established by law"
The clause is punctuaed in the book before with
exceeding care and bound TO lake 1t for author
ity AZ we find H. II does moi leave to Congress
itself 10 provide for the appointment OF these ofcen,