The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-02-25


D. Bailey, Barrere, Bell. Bibighaus, Bowie. Gee
H. Brown, Caldwell, Clemens, Clingman, Cobt
Colcock, Curtis, Dimmick, Dockery, Ewing. Flick
lin, Henry M. Fuller, Thomas J. D. Fuller, Gam
! Bile, Harper, Houston, John w. Howe, Thomas N
] Howe, Hunter, Jackson, George w. Jones,
/ CLANCY Jones, Kuhns. Kurtz, Landry, Letcher
! Martin. Mcdonald, McMullen, Mcqueen, Mea
cham, John Moore, Morehead, Newton, Orr, Out
law, Perkins, Phelps, Reed, Riddle, Scurry, Skel
/ ton, Smith, Frederick P. Stanton, Alexander
Stephens, Stratton, Strother Wallace, Washburn
Watkins, WEIGH, Addison White, Williams, ant
Woodward-63.
Beale, Bennett, Bocock, Bovine, John H. Boyd
Breckenridge, Brenton, Briggs Brooks, Busby
E. Darlington Cabell, Joseph Cable, Thompson
Campbell, Cartier, Chapman, Churchwell. Clark
G. Davis, Dawson, Dean, Disney. Doty, Duncan
Dunham, Eastman, Edgerton, Edmundson, Fay
Fitch, Florence, Floyd, Gaylord, Giddngs, Gil
| more, Goodrich, German, Green, Grey, Grow
Hall, Hamilton, Isham G. Harris, Hart, Haws Has.
call, Haven, Hendricks. HEM, Blizzard, Holiday
Horsford, Howard, T. Y. How, Ingerso, Ives, Jen-
| kns, And'w johnson, Jas. johnson, Dan'l T. Jones
george G. King, Preston King, Little. Lockhart,
son, Molony, Murphy, Murray, Nabers, Samuel
W Parker, Peaslee, Penn Polk, Porter, Powell,
Preston, Price, Richardson, Robbins ROBBIE, Robin
son, Ross, RUSSELL sackett, Schermerhorn, Schoon-
saaRea, oeigen .. seymour staniy, Abraham P,
stephens, St. Martin, Stuart, Sutherland, Sweetser,
Taylor, Toombs, Townshend, Venable, Walsh,
Wilcox, Wildrick, and Yates-lll.
30 the bill was not laid upon the table.
The demand for the previous question was sec.
onded; pending which,
MIR. HOUSTON said that there are but seven
more legislative days remaining, and eight appro-
prlaton bills to be acted upon; and he therefore
moved that the House resolve itselfinto Commit
tee OF the Whole on the state of the Union, on
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION BILL.
MIR. PHELPS moved an appropriation of S Sc, 900,
to enable the President of the United States to open
negotiations for extnguishing the Indian title to
lands within the proposed territorial limits of Ne
orasRa ne SAID that the Indians wished to dispose
OF some OF their lands they could not altogether
subsist by the chase
Mr.. SWEETSER opposed the amendment, as
interfering with our present Indian policy.
After debate, the amendment was agreed to-
ayes II, noes so.
MIR. GENTRY offered amendment, as an adj.
dltonal section: that if any officer who is now or
may be charged with the payment of any of the
appropriation made by this any other act shall
pay to any clerk or employe less sum than is
allowed by law, and require such employe to &C.
cept or give voucher for an amount greater than
he has received, the officer thus acting shall be
deemed guilty of embezzement. and shall be fined
double the sum 80 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 clerk in one of the Depart-
lnents who was appointed to Office under circum-
stances like these: His father, who had been
merchant, obtained little cerkship of a thousand
dollars after he became insovent He died indi-
gent; and the sympathy for the family was so
strong that the head of the Department was com.
PEELED to appoint the TO the place thus vacated
that he might by this means support his mother
and younger brother. He was put in with an
understanding that he should receipt monthly at
the rate of a thousand dollars year, while three
hundred dollars OF this sum was transferred to
favorlte in the Department. He (Mr. G. had
protested against the outrage, and learned from
me I'M mead OF the Department that it was justified
by numerous presidents.
IN response to general inquiry, be 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 Executive
abuses as this: During the whole time he had been
member of Congress, majority of the heads of
Departments had been proper subjects for impeach-
ment, and if the House performed its duty it would
mold them to proper accountability.
Mr. BAYLY knew nothing of the circumstances
referred to; but without consulting the Secretary
OF the Interior he undertook say that if there was
any thing in the official conduct of Mr.. Stuart
fair subject of investigation, that gentleman was
ready to meet it at any time
MIR. GENTRY said he had not made an on
slaught on the Secretary of the Interior particular
ly. but against all who indulgein 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 far
as the Secretary OF the Interior is concerned, for
the reason that he is Vrginian, if there be cause
IL.
MIR. GENTRY. For the qualification of nv
friend will continue in the second degree myself
am for Old Virginia when Old Virginia is right,
and against her when she is wrong; and the mes
senger to whom three hundred dollars of the Clerks
salary was given is a Virginian ILaughter.l
Mr.. BAYLY. fthecase deserves Impeachment,
the gentlemen should bring it forward.
Mr. GENTRY. give my opinion openly. 1t
deserves an Impeachment.
Mr.. STANLY said he was not Virginian. in
the t1rst or second degree. He would rather be
little further off. He understood the gentleman
from Tennessee to say that the abuse had continued
under different administrations. If tina So there
is somebody to impeach beside the Secretary of the
Interior. He thought it unfortunate for the gen.
tleman that he had not called attention to this
subject until within week of the expiration of
Congress.
Mr.. GENTRY remarked that he had had no
idea of making formal effort to impeach the Sec
rotary. However, there could be no controversy
about the facts They are stated in the secreary's
letter to him.
Mr.STANLY said the letter ought to have been
produced.
Mr.. GENTRY. The statement is true, literally |
Mr.. STANLY said it was due to the Secretary |
that the letter should be produced.
Mr.. GENTRY. l will send the letter to the
newspapers. @
Mr. STANLY said the gentleman had this letter
last session; and now, when they were all going
put with the speed of locomotive, this intination
s thrown out against an honorable man.
Mr.. GENTRY said he did not question his honor,
put regarded it as an Executive abuse and oues-
ion OF political improperly t
MIR. STANLY differed with the gentleman wide.
y IN the distinction. He had only to say if the
abuse existed
Mr.. GENTRY. Crime,
Mr.. sIAMLF A crime committed by the Sec.
rotary of the Interior, whom the gentleman saws
IS an honorable man He said he had occupied /
seat in Congress with Mr.. Stuart, and knew him
be as honorable as is to be found this side of
heaven he had offended Wings by appointing
Democrats to office.
Mr.. GENTRY. All Virginians
Mr.. STANLY. Not all Some of Virginia's
characteristics are very bright He was willing
TO do justice TO Virgnans, even of the first fami
lles, II they are not cternay boasting of it-they
VINO WORK out their own way, and do not rest un-
oer the shadow OF iustrious reputation.
Mr.. GENTRY did not wish to be understood as
invoking prejudice against Virginia. He gloried
In her lame. He disdained to make such n inyo-
cation to the vulgar prejudice against the illustri
Gus Commonwealth.
Mr.. STANLY. If he has not 90 designed AGAINST
the commonwealth of Washington, he has this
morning endeavored to stab the reputation of one
OF her most distinguished sons.
Mr.. GENTRY. If truth stabs, let it stab
Mr.. STANLY. The gentleman says if true
MT. GENTRY. | say it is truth.
Mr.. STANLY. Then the gentleman should
come forward with his articles Of impeachment.
MIR. GENTRY said be did not believe the Sec
retary OF the interior actuated by bad motives:
but 1t was the duty of the House to let him know