Washington sentinel., 1853-12-17
THE PROPOSED MODE OF APPOINT-
ING THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
THE TREASURY.

THE PROPOSED MODE OF APPOINT-
ING THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
/ THE TREASURY.
/ On Tuesday last in the Senate, Mr.. Bright
| from the Committee On Finance, reported the
| following bill: "B BE ii enacted, DE-, That the
| Assistant Secreary of the Treasury, authorized
| by the 18th section of the 'act to establish a
home department, and TO provide for the Trea-
sury Department an Assistant Secretary Of the
Treasury and commissioner Of customs,' APP
proved the Sd of March, ls49, be from and
after the passage of this act appointed by the
| President of the United States, by and with
the advice of the Senate
Mr.. Bright said that there were several
officers whose duties wereof less importancethan
those of the Assistant Secretary Of the Treasury,
whose appointments were made subject to the
confirmation of the Senate. Among those were
several auditors, comptrollers, the assistant
/ postmasters general, and others. He thought
| the appointment of this officer ought also to be
| made by and with the advice and consent Of
| the Senate.
On Thursday this bin from the Senate, pre-
scribing the manner Of appointing the assist
ant secretary, came up in the House of Repre-
sentatiyes. 1t was the subject Of a spirited
discussion.
Mr.. Ewing (whig) characterized it as war
fare against Mr. Secretary Guthrie, and defend.
| ed that gentleman with much yehemence not
unmixed with humor. He called it a guerilla
war against the Secretary inasmuch as the
resolution was aimed at the Secretary, without
naming him. 1--WE fear that the Inioa will
distrust that Cerberus Of the treasury since q
whig has become his advocate.
Mr.. Houston said that it was not intended as
an attack on Mr.. Guthrie or on anybody else
He further said that the Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury is the only one whose nomination
is not trequired to be confirmed by the Senate.
Mr.. Bayly, of Virginia, advocated the bill, and
denied, in SO doing, having any reference to the
Secretary. Mr.. Stanton advocated the bill.
Mr.. Wentworth charged that it was a blow
aimed at the Secretary and the administration.
| Mr.. Disney declared himself friend to the
administration, but would not be deferred by
any consideration from discharging his duty as
the representative of free and independent
constituency.
Pending motion Of Mr. Breckenridge to re-
fer it to the Committee on the Judiciary. the
House adjourned.
We have given the above brief sketch Of this
movement from its inception in the Senate, to its
proposed reference to the Judiciary Committee
IN the House. We propose to make this bill the
subject of some comments. We care not what
may be the motives of those senator's and those
representatives who support this bill, the ef
feet to be accomplished by it is most desirable
Why should the Secretary of the Treasury
mot Secretary Gutlffie, particularly, but any
Secretary have power, privilege, and pa
tronage not enjoyed by any Of the other heads
of departments? Why should the usual ten
ure Of Office be violated in one case and re-
tanned in all other cases? The question is not
whether this is an overt or covert war upon
! Secretary Guthrie-whether, in the exercise
of his extraordinary powers, he has appointed
an objectionable assistant secretary or not--it
is, whether the Office Of assistant secretary is
not Of sufficient dignity ard responsibility to
make his recommendation by the President,
and his confirmation by the Senate, proper.
i Every one who reads the Senti9d KNOWS
what We think Of Secretary Guthrie, so far as
h's quitting his high national position, and un-
dertaklng to meddle in the internal affairs and
local elections of a sovereign State, are con.
cerned. Everybody who reads our paper
knows that,we do not altogether admire this
mighty Secretary Guthrie, who is made very
, bugbear to frighten senator's, representatives,
and editors,
i Mr.. Peteir q. Washington is his assistant.
Mr.. Peter G. washng,o,.- may be a good Off
Ger or an indifferent officer; good n...' H." or
bad man. IL is not for us 10 decide Ma, oro mo-,
aeed with punishment these days if they oue,.
ton the authority Of a Secretary; and as Mr..
Secretary Guthrie thinks him both a good of.
Ger and good man, we dare not saw anpht 70
the contrary.
Marcus dixit ita est.
But whether Mr.. Washington be good off.
Ger or whether Mr.. Washington be a good
man or not, are not the questions.
| The simple and single question is, whether
the assistant treasurer should not be appointed
as other officers are appointed Mr.. Washing.
ton or any other occupant of that Office may be
the best man in the world, and yet the assistant
Z fran Il