Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-28
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR


| Give me your hand-you shall-you must
| 1 love you a brother.
| @..-s---~a-
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
In the House of Representatives on Thursday
the Indian Appropriation Bill being under consid-
Grafton in Committee of the Whole
| NJ GENTRY offered an amendment, as an i'd
dional section: that if any officer who is now or
may b. charged with the payment of any of the
appropriations made by this or any other act shall
pay to any clerk or empoye a less sum than is
allowed by law, and require such employs to ac-
cept or give voucher for an amount greater than
he has received, the officer thus acting shall be
! deemed guilty of en,bezzlement, and shall be
| fined double the withheld, and imprisoned
for the term OF two years; and may be prosecuted
| and punished by any court having jurisdiction for
the trial of such offences.
He said he knew of IL clerk in one of the De-
partments who was appointed to office under cir
cumstances like these: His father, who had been
merchant obtained little cerkship of thou
sand dollars after he became insovent. He died
INDECENT, and the sympathy for the family was
| so strong that the head of the Department was
compelled to appoint the son to the place thus
vacated, that he might by this means support his
mother and ayounger brother. He was put ia
with an understanding that he should recent
monthly at the rate of thousand dollars year.
while three hundred dollars of the sum was trans
ferred to favoritein the Department. He(Mr.
G) had protested against the outrage, and
learned from the head of the Department that it
was justified by numerous presidents.
In response to the general inquiry, he said
the head of the Department referred to WINS Mr.
Stuart.
He held that. in making appropriations it was
the duty of the House to prevent snch Executive
abuses this. During the whole time he had
been member of Congress, majority of the
heads of Department had been proper subjects
for impeachment, and if the House performed
its duty it would hold them to proper accounta-
biiy.
Mr.. BAYLY knew nothing of the circumstances
referred to; but without consulting the Secretary
of the Interior, he undertook say that if there
was anything in the official conduct of Mr. Stuart
fair subject OF Investigation, that gentleman was
rendy to meet it at any time.
MIR. GENTRY said he had not made an on
saught the Secretary of the Interior par
tcuarly, but against all who indulge in abuses
Mr.. BAYLY remarked, as to other heads of
Departments he had nothing to say, because
they do not come from Virginia; but he did saw,
so tar as the Secretary of the Interior is con.
cerned, for the reason that he is Virgin
ian, if there be cause for impeachment, he de-
manded it.
Mr. GENTRY. For the qualification of INV
friend, will continue ia the second degree NV
self. am for Old Virginia when Old Virginia is
right and against her when she is wrong; and
the messenger to whom three hundred dollars of
the Clerks salary was given is Virginian.--
Laughter
MIR. BAYLY. the case deserves impeach-
ment the gentleman should bring it forward.
Mr., GENTRY. Igive my opinion openly. 1t
deserves impeachment
Mr. STANLY said he was not Virginian, ia
the first 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
that is so there is somebody to impeach beside
the Secretary of the Interior. He thoua hit it an
fortunate for the gentleman that he had not called
attention to this subject until within a week Of
the expiration of Congress.
Mr.. GENTRY RENAL ked that he had had no
idea of making formal effort to impeach tho
Secretary. However, there could be no contro-
cersy about the facts They are stated in the
Sscretary's letter to him.
Mr.. STANLY said the letter ought to have been
produced.
Mr.. GENTRY. The statement is true, literal
y.
Mr.. SrANLY said it was due to the Secretary
that the letter should be produced.
MIR. GENTRY. l will send the letter to the
newspapers,
Mr.. SrANLY said that the gentleman had this
letter last session; and now, when they were all
going out with the speed of locomotive, this
intimation is thrown out against honorable
man.
Mr.. GENTRY said he did not question his honor
but regarded it as an Executive abuse and ques-
ton of political improperly.
Mr.. SrANLY differed with the gentleman
widely in the distinction He had only to say if
the abuse existed
MIR. GENTRY. Crime.
Mr.. SrANLY. crime committed by the
Secretary of the Interior, whom the gentleman
say is an honorable man! He said he had occupied
seat in Congress with Mr.. Stuart and knew
him to be as honorable As is to be found
this side of heaven. He had often ded wings by
appointing Democrats to office.
Mr.. GENTRY All Virgnians.
Mr.. STANLY. Not all. Some of Virginia's
characteristics are very bright He was willing
TO do ustice to Virg iuians even of the first fam-
lies, if they aie not eternay boasting of it.
they who work out their own way, and do
not rest under the shadow of ustrious reputa-
ton.
Mr.. GENTRY did not wish to he understood as
invoking prejudice against Virginia. He glori-
ed in her fame. He disdained to make such an
invocation to the vulgar prejudice against the
illustrious Commonwealth.
Mr.. SrANLY. If he has not so designed
against the Commonwealth of Washington, he
has this morning endeavored to stab the reputa-
tion of one of her most distinguished sons.
Mr.. GENTRY. If truth stabs, let it stab.
MIR. SrANLY. The gentleman says if true.
Mr.. GENTRY, say it is truth.
Mr.. SrANLy. Then the gentleman should
come forward with his articles of impeach-
ment,
Mr. GENTRY said he did no believe the Sec