Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-31
O. 0 NJ NJ II n1tatG0.
Debate I'm the House.

MEssRs. EDITORS / have read, with more
than ordinary interest, the speeches delivered
in the House, when in Committee Of the Whole
on the State of the Union, by Messrs. Bayly
and Philips, on the joint resolution requiring
the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury to be
nominated by the President and confirmed by
the Senate, as all other officers of that grade
now are. My attention was more particularly
called to this debate because of the reputation
of the gentleman named. l had been accus-
toned to hear General Bayly, day after day, on
the floor Of the House, when he occupied the
responsible post of chairman of the WAYS and
Means committee, and had always listened to
him with pleasure and satisfaction. But, by
some means or other, a reputation Of a very
high order had preceded Mr.. Philips entrance
upon the duties of representative in Congress.
and when he was found in an antagonistic DO.
sition to General Bayly, very naturally felt
more than an ordinary interest in the discus
sion; and, | will add, that the subject itself
was an interesting one to me, because Of the
accidental circumstances surrounding it. or the
persons connected with it.
But to the debate. feel fully justified in
declaring, as | do, that while there was GER
tainly good deal of talent exhibited on the
part of the gentleman from Alabama, (Mr.
Philips there was more manifested by the gen
tleman from Virginia, (Mr. Bayly;) and am
quite certain that no unprecedented mind can
rise, from careful perusal of the two speeches
by Mr.. Bayly, and the remarks and speech of
Mr.. Philips, without the conviction as clear as
MONDAY, fixed upon him, that Mr.. Bayly has
not only the right side on the question at issue,
but that he has sustained himself with an
ability and energy emitting him to very high
rank on the list of parliamentary debaters.
But this is not my only reason for referring
to the debate in question. wish to call at
tenton to remarkable fact, disclosed by the
introduction of the bill under discussion. It is
this: that while the opponents of the bill or
joint resolution have taken occasion to declare
their convictions that it is u blow aimed at the
present Assistant Secretary of the Treasury.
they, as his .friends object to his passing under
the review of the Senate! Do they reflect
for moment upon the singular attitude they
occupy, and make their client, or friend. as
sumo? Who is not forced at once to the con-
clusion, that either Mr.. Washington or his
friends, shrink from the ordeal to which 9TH
ers have to submit before entering upon du-
tiesfar less responsible and importantthan those
which attachtothe Office occupied by him? Andii
this be the fact, as the conduct Of the parties
seem to Indicate, could stronger argument be
used against the incumbent or IA facor of the
measure intended to change the tenure of his
office as both Mr.. Philips and Mr. Bayly
agree that Congress has perfect right to do
in regard to all Offices created by act of Con
gress. / am no member of Congress-am not
acquainted with Mr.. Washington, Mr.. Guthrie,
or Mr.. Philips and but very slightly with General
Bayly, but feel some interest in questions OF
this sort, and do most earnestly hope that Con
gress will not hesitate, on account of am man.
to carry out the evident intent and meaning OF
the Constitution. OMEG &