Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-03-01
Gbe DaiIp l)irsiniou.
CONG EsESS.
House
THURSDAY, Feb. "a, 1852.
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL.


Mr. Phelps moved an appropriation of $50,
000 to enable the President of the Uniteo
States to open negotiations for cxtingushinl
the Indian title to lands within the proposed
territorial limits of Neb aska. He said that
the Indians ished to dispose OF some of their
lands, as they could not altogether subsist 10y
the ch ise.
Mr.. Sweetser opposed the amendment,
interfering with our present Indian policy.
After debate the amendment was agreed to
ayes II, noes so.
Mr.. Gentry offered an amendment, as an ad
ditional section: that il any officer who is nom
or may be charged with a payment of any of
the appropriations made by this or any other
act, shall pay to any clerk or employee a less
sum than is allowed by law, and require such
employee to accept or give IA voucher Tor an
amount greater han he has received, the officer
thus acting shall be deemed guilty of embez
element, and shall he fined double the sum SO
withheld. and imprisoned for the term of two
years; and may he prosecuted and punished
by am court having jurisdiction for the trial oil
such offences.
He said he knew of a clerk in one oil the De
partments who appointed 10 office under
circumstances like these: His farther, " ho had
been a merchant, Obtained little clerkshlp OF
a thousand dollars after he became inSolvent.
He died indigent; and the sympathy for The
family was S" strong that the head OF the De
partment was Compelled to appoint the son 10
the pace thus vacated, that he might by this
means support his mo.her and youngerbroth'
er. He was put in with an understanding that he
should receipt monthly at The rate Of a thou
sand dollars a wear, while three hundred dol
T. i L.,
the Department. He (Mr. G.) had protested
against the outrage, and learned from the head
of the Department that it was justified by nu.
merous precedents.
In response to general inquiry, he said the
head of the Department referred to was Mr..
Stuart.
He held that, in making appropriations, it
was the duty OF the House to prevent such ex
ecutive abuses as this. During the whole time
he had been member of Congress, major,
ity of the heads of Departments had been
proper subjects for iupeachments and il the
House performed lis duty it would hold them
to proper accountability.
Mr.. Bayly knew nothing of the clrcumstan'
ces referred to; but without consulting the
Secretary ofthe Interior, he undertook to say,
that if there was any thing in the official con
duCl VI WI A''udit VI iHNcn''Su
lion, that gentleman was ready to meet it at
any time.
Mr. Gentry said he had not madea onslaught
on the Secretary of the Interior particularly,
but against all who INDUCED in abuses.
Mr.. Bayly remarked, as to other heads of
Departments he had nothing to say, because
they do not come from Va; but he did say, so
far as the Secretary of the Interior is concerned
g.. tho, b,;e N,ruipian &c tbora b.
cause for impeachment, he demanded it.
Mr.. Gentry. For the qualification of my
friend, will continue in the second degree my
self am for Old Virginia when Old Virgin
ia is right and against her when she is wrong
and the messenger to whom chree hundred dol
lars of the Clerks salary was givenis Virgin
ian. Laughter
Mr. Bayly. If the case deserve simpcach
ment, the gentlemen should bring it forward.
Mr.. Gentry. give my opinion openly. 1t
deserv es an impeachment.
| Mr. Stanly said he was not aV'rginain,in the
6ret or second degree. He would rather be
little further off,-He understood the gentle.
man from Tennessee to say that the abuse had
continued under different administrations IF
tn At is so there is somebody to impeach bedside
the Secretary of the Interior. He thought it
unfortunate for the gentle man that he had not
called attention to this sui jet uGtil within a
week of the expiration OF Congress.
MIR. Gentry remarked that he had no idea OF
making formal effort to impeach the Secreta-
ry. However, there could be no controversy
about The facts. They are stated IN the oecre'
tary's letter to him.
Mr.. Stanly said the letter ought to have been
produced. -.
Mr.. Gentry The statement is true' literal
ly. o...ou,
Mr.. Sanly said it was due to the Secretary
) that the letter should be produced.
Mr.. Gentry wiIlsend the letterto the news
papers.
MIR Stanly said the gentleman had this letter
last session; and now, when they were all gong
out with the speed of a locomotive, this mt
nation is thrown out against an honorable
man. ;,
Mr. Gentry said he did not question his hon,
or. but regarded it has an Executive abuse and
a question political improperly.
| - ran 10, man vida