Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-31


law. do not know that he has felt at liberty
to interfere. presume he has not though l
know nothing on that point. But if he has in
terlered at all, and il he is the man take him
to be, his interference has been not to shield
himself by any thereafter" or to subject his
successors TO an ordeal from which he himself
shrinks. do not know that the Senate is
going to reject Mr.. Washington. j do not
want them to do it for any factious purposes
/ utterly disclaim any other motive in this
whole matter than desire to see proper guards
and restrictions put upon the appointment Of
all officers and especially of one who is to stand
in such position as this. | am only anxious
that this important officer, who is to lie in some
respects a coequal or a check upon the head of
the department-shall be, not merely confiden-
tial friend of the Secretary, but one upon whom
the President and Administration can depend,
and in whom the Senate-the checking power
of the government--can confde. Talk about
opposition to the administration Why, sir,
what was the ground which all of us took in
our canvass? Denunciation of Galphinsm-
denunciation of corrupt contracts, and schemes
of all sorts. The wings were accused of favor-as
ing these things. 1t was said their patriotism
was like the fellows in the play, who was for
war:
Il sutlcr to the camp will be- and profit will ensuen
That is what the democrats have been saving
all through the country with regard to the Gal
phinites.
Now let me refer my friend from Alabama
to some provisions of law connected with this
point He says that assistant clerks are Gin
ferior officers and that the Assistant Secreta.
ry of the Treasury is one of them. Well now,
a law, passed in the earlier days of the govern
H.. 4.
from engaging in business, or contracts, or
speculations of any sort. 1t is in these words:
THAT no person appointed 10 any Office insti-
tuted by this act, shall directly or indirectly be
concerned or interested in carrying on the business
oil trade or commerce, or be owner in whole or in
part OF any sea vessel or purchase by himself or
another IN trust for him, any public lands or any
other pubic property, or be concerned in the pur-
chase or disposal of any public securities of any
State, or OF the United States or take or apply 10
his own use any emolument or gain for negotiat-
ing or transacting any business in the said depart
ment, other than what shall be allowed by law
and if any person shall offend against the pro-
hibitions of this act, he shall be deemed guilty of
high misdemeanor, and forfeit to the United
States the penalty of $4,000; and shall, upon con-
viction be removed from Office, and forever there
after incapable of holding any Office under the
United States"
That is the law as it was originally passed.
Subsequently it was repealed as to the clerks,
except in cases of the funds of the United
States, or of any State, or in any kind of public
property but as to nobody else If, then, the
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, who is to
examine all contracts letters, and warrants, and
decide on them, is a clerk-if my friend from
Alabama is right in this respect, then there is
no legal restriction on him except in the cases
referred to by way of exception. He who is to
examine and virtually conclude contracts may
be concerned in them.
Opposition to this law is not an administra.
ton matter. | deny it until somebody has au-
thority SO to speak. If it is, it is in opposition
to the principles on which the last presidential
canvass was .conducted, and to the ground which
the democratic party has always protested to
occupy.
Mr. Chairman, do not know that / regret
anything-so much as the load of labor that
very kind friend of mine in the Senate has un-
Intentionally thrown upon me. Here early in
the session, when / wanted to be STUDYING our
foreign affairs, as is my duty-the Koszta case.
the Amistad case-what is going on in respect
to Cuba-my time has been taken up, limo
Gently, and without expectation on my part in
discussing question of the sort now before
the committee / had nothing to do with the
getting up of this bill. 1t was by mere acct
dent that knew it was here. had not even
carefully examined it. 1t originated in the
Senate, where it ought to have originated as
it is bill claiming for the Senate its constitu-
tional rights, and which this House ought not
to reject. Here, l beg to say, in conclusion,
that my friends criticism on this bill is well
taken. To great extent the bill is not drawn
correctly, if it confers this appointment on the
President alone. The appointment of this Off
Ger ought no more be conferred on the Presi-
dent than on the Secretary.
am willing to let the law pass as it is, and
to let the President decide, with great conf
dence as to what his decision will be. ] have
not examined the provisions of the bill CAREFUL
ly; speak only from having heard it read.
The gentleman from Alabama says that it does
not Interfere with the present appointment. If
SO, what becomes of the charge that this is a
tactious attempt to decaptate the Assistant
Secretary?
Here Mr.. B. stopped and read the BILL
Pass the Senate bill as it is-it wants no
amendments am satisfied and if it screens
Mr.. Washington from the action Of the Senate.
| am willing to abide by that.
regret that | have, at so early a period Of
the session, forced myself SO frequently upon
the attention of the House. 1t has not been
my wish, and it has really been disagreeable
necessity indeed, may almost say, my mis-
fortune.