The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-05-11
.SDeech OF Senator Poland.
THE following is a photographic report

/ THE following is photographic report
of Senator Poland's speech on the amend
ment to the Postal Appropriation bill:
Nix. PRESIDENT: | voted for the
amendment to this bill. and for the bill IL
self. with great hesitation and with the
design if could not become better sails
fled with il 10 move to have ii reconsider
ed. Subsequent reflection satisfied NE
that the amendment ought not to be adopt
ed and therefore made the motion TO re-
consider The amendment proposed by
the Senator from Illinois to the bill is gen
eral and comprehensive in lis terms and
denies any payment of salary or compen-
sation to officers appointed 10y the Presi-
dent before confirmation by the Senate
unless appointed to fill vacancies during
the recess of the Senate, by death. reSi.na-
ton. expiration of term, or removal for
official misconduct. 1t is said that one of
the mi>cilitis which this amendment is
designed 10 prevent. is the filling of vacan-
cir> which exist while the Senate IS IN
session. and where there Is IN opportunity
to submit nominations for their advice
and consent. and this Is omitted, or the
nomination Is r. ected by the Senate and
the same persons re-appoinled after the
Sclrttc ;.liOurnS II the amendment went
no iu ilIer than this. could very cheer
fully support it-ior the language of the
constitution l. very clear that the Prcsi-
,lcnt- power Ui appointment, without the
advice and con>'slt OF The Senate, Is con-
incl 10 vacancies thai happen durinr the
recess o! The Senate, But the amend
mcnt has Il scope and meaning lar beyond
this. The power OF the President 10 ill
Ill vacancies That happen durin. the re-
ceS- OF the Senate. l. not denied. but this
amendment declares that unless the va
c;.ncit> Happen in a particular way. the
person appointed shall receive no salary
or compensation until confirmed by the
senate. have not examined whether
the exceptions cover every possible occa-
sion Of sar;,ncie, which can occur. en-
rcpt removals Tor other reasons than for
lni>cnnIut, or nale;l>ince In office. This
l. !he class OF CASES which the amendment
i designed 10 reach, anI think lis dis
iim-'ll>hcd mover will not deny that the
mann ot'cct and purpose oi the amend
inrn,, / 10 declare that. if the President
nl.ikc~ removals from Office Tor mere polit-
Ic;ti rt.t~"'!S. and thus cail>v> Vacancies
during Illc the recess q! the S.ilate. the
persons liz appoints il I'LL them shall re-
ccivc Il" payment for their services in OF
ice unili confirmed hv the Senate. In such
c.'~,> .hc reni question i not OH the pow
rr 81 the President to till Il vacancy. but
Il 10 hi> power 10 thus make vacancy.
HIS brings uP the old question of the
power %! The President L. remove from
Office, persons II whose original appoint
mynt the advice and consent of the Sen
ate was Necessary.
The Senator from Missouri (NIr. Hem
drr-on.) with liz usual straightforward
n,-~ and irani,ne>>, boldly avow> that in
hi~ Judgement !ht Presidents power OF re-
m1,a. m >uril c,,~,>. i, commensurate on
II wiki hi power II appointment. and
;.iit the consent oil the Senate i IA nccc>-
-;ry 10 the removal 4, to the appointment.
ii" able and learned argument of The
Senator went In toward conl incin" me
that, II the question could now I've con>id-
cred III open one. that WAS the true con-
>,rulciion OF tile constitution. The soma
tor from Maine (ilr Fe>>cndcn) declares
liz Willingness i" support the amendment.
rArrp; Tor the rlaU>c rcquirin" the rcmov-
al To he reported Ia the Senate: but he
admitted the power Of the President. I'M
,c: the constitution. IL make removals
without tie consent of the Senate. In
urglm@ ,hc Necessity OF the amendment.
however. he dwrlt wholly upon the abuse
% The appointing power. 10y making ap-
ro!n;in'n,> after the adjournment of the
Nr!at". which might nave been made and
submitted 10 the SENATE while in session.
l should lie dong that Senator great in
justice 10 suppose that he did not fully
understand that The matter AIMED ut was
altogether 4 different and broader one.
pihrr Senators have fought shy upon this
question. and have argued in favor of the
ancn.inynt. not exactly DENYING tie pow
cl' ol removal. hut under protc>tation. as a
-p'cl;'i pica'icr would say, that they do
moi admit ii.
Ihcv have said. concc,ling that he has
the power OF removal. We have the power
10 LAY whether his new appointces shall
receive the salaries and conversations
provided ny law for those holding the of
iicc-. - W. llvc the power 10 refuse
any appropriations 10 pay the salary of
the President. or Ia carry on any and
every department of thc government. and
Inns destroy 1t. Although We nav have
such power. it i one which can only he |
Justified in u>e in lll,, Ia>i resort. TO pre-
vent n>'Tpation or the destruction of the (
liberties oi the people. But if We believe I
iiiat the President has not the legal and /
power of removal. why not |
say 80 directly! If we are prepared TO
liOpt the doctrines of the senator from
Missouri, why not do ii in as open and
manly Il way rs l." declares it After a
Uniform exercise OF the power by every
since the formation of the
Constitution, 10 some extent-although
or a considerable time doubted and queS-
ione'i--r;,nd alter at least thirty wears of
mdoubted and unquestioncd Use by a
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