The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-04

pound Is shall we pay him additional eight dollars per
day for investigating AFFAIRS which It Incumbent
him 70 snpernend and investigate anyhow That Is the
point ~ F-
Mr. PETIT This matter stands precisely thus: Al the
last session charges presented 70 the Senate against
Goyerncr Ramsay for ecuation IN his office Of superin
tendent Of Indian aars not governor before the pres
ent administration came in An investigation attempt
ed in the Committee iadian Affairs They proceeded 10
extent in taking testimony but they discovered thai
they could not accomplish here Therefore just AT the
close OF the session resolution offered from the
committee by te senator from Wisconsin, Mr. WALKra
that there should be senator appointed detailed
from the committee during vacation to proceed to Min
nesota, and to such other places might be deemed
necessary-t then thought that IL would perhaps
be necessary TO go to New York, and take some evir
dence in regard to deposites of money in bank there
TO take evidence and report it 10 the Senate at this
session. That resolution underwent various phases
proposition made to extend the number Of senators to
be sent out to three II debated considerable
length Various propositions and amendments were offer
ed but finally it resolved itself into resolution Of this
kindand the records of the Senate will show that the
President the question be fully investigated du
ring the OF the Senate Thereupon after tho Senac
adjourned after Governor Gorman had been appointed
governor and after he took charge OF the duties prescribed
BY law, this additional duty was imposed on him. Let X
be remsmheTsd that the duties of n India
affairs and Of governor Of Tertiary pSescrihed BY
law The resolution of the Senate did direct by whose
hands the President should make the investigation but that
he should the charges TO he investigated The Pres
ident associated with Governor Gornan Judge Young n
this city, to make the investigation.
Judge Young presented his claim 20 the Senate two
months ago Ii amounted to 5000. BY
resolution it directed be paid out Of the nngent
fund of the Senate The deficiency bill has an express pro
vision in it making up to the contingent fund OF the SEN
that $500 paid to Judge Young for his services Now,
Governor German and asks that hc shall be al
lowed much per day as Judge Young was allowed for
the additional duties superaded those of superintendent
of Indian affairs and governor Of the Territory Can there
be anything frer painer2 1t did not belong per-
tain to his duties governor Of the Territory super
intendent Of Indian affairs II was an additional duty,
The President might have appointed whomsoever he pleased
to perform it. He did appoint 1t was an onerous and
unpleasant duty for Governor German to undertake to
iUate III
deyovc on him by virtue of his official relation sue
to Governor Ramsay The President might have
appointed whomsoever he pleased He not compelled
to appoint Governor German II did not appertan to him
governor; but he specially appointed by letter
from the department under the direction OF the President
to make the investigation He and Judge Young made it
together Judge Young rendered service days than
Governor German; hence his bill is largprbetween 5000
and ST, 900; while Governor Gormans is about 5000 IA
This, then, is the whole matter. Additional services
imposed Governor German apart from the duties
of his Office and the question is shall ne be paid for them?
The whole $1,000 is not for his pay, but for the subordi-
nate officers alsothe marshal and attorney and for sum
moning witnesses.
1t seems to me- no more legitimate appropriation could
be made 1t certainly the Legitimate place and upon
Mr. HUNTER. Mr.. President find that the resolution
of the Senate was as follows:
Resoysed That the President be- and he is hereby
quested be investigated the charges of fraud and
misconduct in office alleged Ramsay super
to the Committee Indian Affairs by the resolution Of the
10th Of January last and report the results of such nvest
record of the proceedings Of said committee under said
uton be referred to the President and be subject to such
order as he may make thereon
Now it seems to me that it was the official duty Of Gov
German, who superintendent OF Indian affairs
as well governor of Minnesota make this investiga-
ton If he was directed do it by the President know
il said the time that il would cost nothing far
executed by the governor OF the Territory and
superintendent of Indian affairs in that Territory Lhsse
objection to seeing full remuneration given to Gov
German for all his services but object to the prn
cple of this amendments object to giving extra compen-
saton to officer for dischargng duties which properly
belong TO his Office 1t seems to that that is what we
doing But understand that there is recommen-
daton from the department for this Am ! rightly in
formed sa.yss.5
Mr. SEBASTIAN The accounts are certified to be cor
rect
Mr.. HUNTER do not know that there is any recon-
mendation did not hear the chairman OF the Committee
on Indian Affairs say that there
Mr. BRIGHT The resolution that has just been read by
the honorable from Virginia shows very clearly
that this subject has been in the keeping OF the President
the United States that by the terms Of the resolution
be directed this investigation to be made He
has made believe his report TO this body and think
proper pay claim for services arising under that
appointment it was proper for the Executive TO say So
believe the President has not recommended that the gov
of Minnesota be paid for his services and further
more when the United States employ in this case the
governor of Territory do they not employ all his time
Upon the principle that you would give TO Governor
German in eight dollars per day for services
commissioner you would give TO public officer who be-
longs to the army and is detailed to supervise the erection
Of the wings of the Capitol which we are building so
much per day for that service Upon the same principle
you would give the Attorney General who is applied to for
his opinion week after week, by different committees
regular fee for his opinions
Now sir against the principle II is wrong. II Is
demorazng in its tendencies. When employ an Off
GER this case and give him regular salary, he has
no right claim anything in addition for his time rec
oec very we'll stated by the senator from Virginia that
when this question presented before OF the reasons
assigned for raising this board was that it would cost
nothing that it would, er-otco within the duties
of the governor That stated at the time the
resolution presented and IL is sufficient one to OPP
cunnp my m
But independent Of that the precedent is wrong. There
are hundreds Of other officers who might ken their
to this and claim additional compensation for their
vices and their claim would be equally just and mcrto-
rious
Mr. SEBASTIAN. | have looked into the letter Of the
Secretary the Interior and find that there Is distinct
estimate for this certified account of Gov German is
transmitted with the estimate but the Secretary declined
TO make recommendation for the simple that he
deemed il a charge the contingent fund OF the Senate
That is his sole II certainly mnst be charge
against some department of the government
Mr. COOPER I think my friend from Indiana Mr.
BRIeHT wrong in the comparison he has instituted be
tween officers of the army detailed TO perform some par
tcuar service and the which Is pending here. Gov.
German discharged from any Of his duties as gov
ernor of Minnesota superintendent of Indian al
fairs He in the performance OF those duties at the
same time There Is objection it seems to me, that Gov
Goran left uuperormed any of his duties either gov
crnor superintendent Thin additional duty was mn
posed upon him by the President of the United States lie
gave it his attention X occupied time that might have
been employed in his private affairs without injury 10 the
public service and why is il that he ought not to be
paid well IL person, not o'hcialiy connected
with the government had been employed
Sir do not remember that any such ground es that
India hat