Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-06-01
Congress.
A RIPPLE IN THE HOUSE.

fifth section by striking out the words
the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby |
authorized to appoint an officer in his de-
partment, who shall be styled Commits
sioner, etc.," and inserting in lieu of them,
" Congress, by concurrent action, shall
elect a Special Commissioner"
Mr.. STEVENS said am done giving
patronage to the Secretary Of the Treasu-
ry where ii can be avoided He has al
ready said he will appoint no one TO office
who will not sustain the policy of the
President He this morning distinctly so
informed a member of the House, who
called upon him for an appt intment. lie
asked him whether the antecedents OF
the applicant! were in favor Of the Presi-
dents policy, and when he declined to an
swer him, he said, +" cannot appoint and
will appoint no man who does not support
the policy of the President" The Seere-
tary then referred to an apostate Senator
from that region, and said, " ! will consult
him when make the appointment, and l
viii appoint nobody not recommended by
him." 1t is, therefore, for this House to
let the people of the country know whelh
err officers are 10 be sacrificed to this de-
termination of the subordinates of the
President II we do not stand by them
they will not stand by us, and they ought
not. 1t is time that we built up wall
around such tyranny as this. 1t is NAL
feasance in office. | have already ascer-
tanned that four Of the subordinates Of the
President have made the same declaration.
If / were little younger, and / shall be
in a week. think that would let those
officers know that this is a grand inquest
of the nation, before which men who are
guilty in Office shall be brought, and their
cases presented to another tribunal to try
them. Excitement--a voice, /" Good"
Sir, we are recreant to our own interests
we are recresnt to our own dignity. we
are recreant to the interests CT the coun-
try, il we do not stand by those who stand
by US. We must take care that no more
patronage shall be put into the hands of
any man TO be abused, avowedly abused.
1t is lime that we spoke aloud, and let our
friends abroad know that they are in no
danger, that they shall not be sacrificed be-
cause they stand by Congress-because
they are not the tools Of reereant Presi-
dent. Great excitement. l have au-
thentic information that this very day this
course has been taken by the Secretary Of
the Treasury, and he has declared dis
tinctly that in that State (Peunsylvania)
| be will consult nobody but recreant
apostate Senator who has betrayed bis
party and his country. Excitement.
| Mr.. Stevens was understood as referring
to Senator Cowan Of Pennsylvania.
Mr.. SpALpING inquired whether the
gentleman was going to urge his amend
ment seriously.
Mr.. STEVENS declared that he was.
Mr. SPALDING replied that he would Sc
riously oppose it.
Mr.. MORRILL, suggested that the gen.
tleman from, Pennsylvania had accomplish
ed his purpose in making his speech
There was not the slightest apprehension
that any person would be appointed in the
office of Special Commissioner except the
distinguished gentleman who had hitherto
been employed in the service. He (Mr.
MoRRILL) had always been in favor Of
keeping these tariff and revenue questions
apart and distinct from politics. He did
not approve Of all the acts of the Secre.
tary Of the Treasury, nor of his recent
speech. He thought his Indiana speech
an able one but he did not so regard his
, recent speech, but rather looked upon i
as an unfortunate speech. But, at thu
same time, he did not propose to chang,
The ordinary course Of legislation. HI
, ] tTustGu illll tnS alutuulllcIll WOulQ not DE
S adopted.
d Mr.. HALE called the attention of th,
g Committee to the constitutional objection.
to the proposed amendment, though be did
:. not know as they would have any weigh
S with the distinguished gentleman from
?, Pennsylvania. The only powers that thu
Constitution recognized as capable of hav
q ing The power of appointment were th,
! President and Senate--ihe Presiden
IF alone and the courts of law, or the head,
s. of Departments.
! Mr.. STEVENS argued that the position
e of Special Commissioner was not an Of
is fee in that sense. Congress could deput,
+ a Committee of Its own body, or any per
: son selected by it, to perform the duiie:
p imposed upon the Special Commissioner
" He repeated that the Secretary of lh,
Treasury had assumed TO regulate bis pat
i ronage 10y politics, and not by what wa
; connected with the interests of finance
la. 4.