The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-01-06


persouol friend of mine, came down here and
told me there was a bill in the Senate proyi-
iing for the mode Of paying the Senators, and |
begged me to o'look out for it, and give it a |
he ping hand when it came before the House |
promised to do it,. | am always glad to |
accommodate friend in matter of that sort |
was on the lookout for the Senate bills.
Thus my attention was called TO this one,
The question presented by It was one which
| had not elaborately examined but it was
one upon which had an opinion, and made
the point that the Constitution contemplated
the confirmation by the Senate o ofofiicers of
the Crude Of the Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury. The question was not new to me.
AT the last Congress it was recommended that
there should be an Assistant Secretary of
State. As Chairman of the Committee OH
Foreign Affairs, it came under my Jurisdiction.
then thought, as now Think that the Con
stitution contemplated that such an officer
should be nominated by the President and
submitted to the Senate. We 50 provided,
Sir, am tired Of this eternal arragning Of
gentlemen, whenever they act on their own
convictions, for being in opposition to the
Administration. thas ueen rung in nv
ears ever since J Lave been in Washington,
"the Pres!.aents policy" "su2port of the Ad-
min:stration," Opposition to. the Admins
tration," until it has occurredt to me that there
is nothing engaging the attention of members
of Congress except finding out the Presidents
wishes, neither to conform to them or to
thwart them Sir, celebrated English
writer, in speaking of Rome at time when
the spirit Of liberty had fled and the spirit of
faction had taken its place, says: "Casar had
his party, and Antony had his party; the
commonwealth had none" | shall not pur-
sue that idea. | am tired of this thing.
Why, sir, when arrived in Washington
with my family had not registered my name
before gentleman took me by the button
hole and asked me. "Who are you for for
Speaker" Well, told him who was for,
and the occupant the chair (1Ir. ORR) must
excuse me for saying that it was not him.
Well, the gentleman said at once, Are you
going to put yourself in opposition to the Ad-
mnistration and the Presidents policy!
They are for the gentleman from South Caro-.
lima, and so are the Softs and the South Caro-.
lima people," My reply was. "The devil
they are!" Laughter. Well, sir went ant
! registered my name, and Immediately after
wards somebody asked me what thought o
, a distinguished gentleman of Ohio, (Mr. DIS
xEY } who was spoken of for the office o
Speaker. | said that thought well of hin
as a man of talent and ability. The reply
{ was, "Why, do you know that he is supper
ted by the Hards of New York, and that if yol
: Fvote for him it will be regarded as opposition
to the Administrator | simply said, 81.
it possible!" That was the kind of enter
tainment shat greeted me on my arrival il
, Washington, Every thing was "the policy
and "wishes of the Administration" Well
then somebody asked me who was for fo
/ Clerk, and if | knew that the Administration
, nad the election of Col. Forney particularly a
heart; and chat all those who did not supper
/ Col. Foney would be regarded as making wa
on the Administration! replied again, ais i
, possible!" About Speaker, Clerk, everything
it was, "If you do this you make war upon tn,
Administrations" "if you do that it will b'
very acceptable to the Administration.
Why, Mr. Chairman, was not accustom
ed to that sort Of thing even in Washington
although God knows | have been here grea
deal longer than ought to have BEEN as (u
as my personal interests are concerned.
have been here during five distinct Admins
tratons, without ever having been before
nominating convention in my life. wa
never nominated for any Office in my life
, But never boted in my own person and raj
, against the candidate OF my party. Iva. no
. ! ar rrustomcd IN this sort of tbinu
. Well sir, Clerk was elected he turnet
out a constituent ofmine-a good Democrat
whose father was Democrat, who belongs
to class OF Democrats known and UNDER
| stood in Virginia Col. Parker was turned
out of the office Of Librarian. did not wan
| him turned out. thought about it, and
, thought that the Constitution of the United
States contemplated that the House of Rep
resentativcs, in electing its officers, might b,
permitted to elect its own Librarian--thj
man who is to get books for us, keep ou
, books in order, and wait upon us; and wishln!
to renstate Col. Parker, who had been turne,
out, thought would take the chance of al
election by the House Itself, and see whe-
ther they would not "prescribe prescription.
And, sir, was told that it was q stab at tht
Administration to claim that the House
, might elect its own Librarian! Laughter.
, confess | submitted the resolution for thu
{ election ofthat officer because Mr.. Parker wal
. constituent Of mine. Otherwise | would
not have done it, for am not in the habit O
meddlug in other peoples affairs "
But it was said that aimed stab at thu
Administrations beg leave to tell the gen.
tleman from Illinois, and DO not speak witt
out authority, that the President of the Uni
ted States does not sympathize in all this
| dispute the authority of the gentleman from
Illinois tospeak by authority on these points.
deny he has commission. He has no
commission, and he shall not be accredited
He is an usurper. Heassumes power which
he has not had conferred upon him. But do
not care, for one, whether he has that power
nnt Tho nniptS 4 hoya Ia knc