Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-16
Poor IS Old Buck,

1t will be remembered by the readers of
the PATRIOT, that Mr.. McKeon, the United
States Attorney for the district of New
York, in the recent municipal election re-
fused to support Fernando Wood, one OF
the most corrupt men in the great Metrop-
oils. and exerted himself to secure the
election of Daniel F. Tieman, another snam
democrat. For this exercise OF his rights
as a citizen Mr.. Buchanan demanded his
head 1t was mark of independence
which the facile old chief could not toler-
ate. Mr.. Theodore Sedgwick was, there
FORE nominated to the Senate as his sue
cessor. For some time the nomination
chung fire. 1t was referred to a commit
tee, the majority Of whom being sham
democrats declined to recommend it. A
discussion ensued in the Senate, on the
subject, in executive session, some of the
features of which are thus reported in the
New York Tribune:
WASHINGTON, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1858.
The Senate to-day had most exciting discussion
over three hours on the nomn alton of Mr.. Sedg-
wick 1t was by far the richest debate of the ses-
sion Mr.. Crittenden led off with moderate speech
deprecating the grounds of Mr.. Keon's removal, it
being shown that be a faithful officer, and had
only exercised the right of every citizen in NUM-
cipal election.
Mr. Clark and Mr.. Foster made considerable i'm
preston by their and able exposition of the
tendency of such abuses of Executive power.
Mr.. Douglas reviewed the case as one in which
the Senate clearly ought interpose to assert its
rio Of he
and to vindicate its dignity in preventing gross
wrong.
Mr. Bayard defended the President, maintaining
that he had the whole power of removal, and the
Senate could only inquire into the competency and
character of the nominee.
Mr. Sdell Supported this view, alleging that no
objection taken TO the exercise of independent
opinion by Mr.. McKeon, but he had implicated the
Administration.
Mr.. Davis made a most significant speech, EN-.
p1atically denouncing the assigned for the
removal, but intimatiug that they were not compe-
tent for the Senate to predicate the rejection OF Mr.
Sedgwick upon.
Mr.. Broderck held that the power belonged to
them tOinvesgate all considerations involved, and
decide accordingly.
Mr.. Pugh spoke forciby against the confirmation,
and others on the Administration side answered.
In the course of the debate, proof exhIited
that though Mr.. Sedgwick had headed the Texas
Circular, ne still sustained Mr.. Folks nomination
anu the regular party discipline by speeches and
other efforts. AS assigned cause of the remov-
al OF Mr. McKeon was his opposition to party no.
mnatiop, copy OF the Indictment against Fernan
DO Wood was furnished TO show his character. The
letter OF Mr.. hcKeOn and his speech were produc-
ed TO prove that the charge of involving the Presi
dents sanction to his opposition are unfounded On
all sides lt conceded that if the discussion had
occurred publicly, it must have seriously damaged
the Administration.
The matter was held under advisement
I'LL the 10th inst, when the nomination
was confirmed by a majority Of three only.
The rebuke of Mr.. Buchanan will be bet
ter appreciated when it is remembered that
his party have majority IN the Senate of
thirteen cOtes.
Again: the nomination of Mr.. Clifford,
Oh Maine, to fill the vacancy on the Su-
Preme Bench, has just been, after a pro-
'racted investigation, confirmed by ma
Jority Of three.
0oi va BUCK" Fle has scarcely got
warm In the President al chair before he
sees his power over his friends in CONGRESS-
fading away! If he continues TINS 70
Pios'eSS BACKWARDS" be will, before the
0''-0i 'ioSeS' DE IN dis 'graceful minority.