Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-06-07
The Tax Bill i'm Congsess-
ers i'm Debate.

The House of Representatives had I'M
der debate the Tax bill, on Saturday, and
while discussion was going on, and
members were offering amendments:
Thaddeus Stevens threw bomb'shell
on the floor which came pretty near ex-
ploding. AS it was, no little excitement
was created, and the Pennsylvania
member (himself native Of Vermont)
had three or four native Vermonters
aboQt MS ears-Morrill Of this State,
Hale Of New York, and Delano Of Ohio
The extreme course pursued by Mr.. Ste
vens and his excessive bitterness caus-
ing him TO disregard all constitutional
restraint and rules Of decorum, resulted
in signal defeat, the House voting down
his proposition by an overwhelming ma
jority,
Section sixty-fve OF the bill author
ICES the secretary Of the Treasury to ap-
point Special Commissioner Of the
Revenue" whose Office shall terminate
in four years after the passage of the
act. Mr.. Stevens offered an amendment
striking out the words authorizing the
Secretary TO appoint Special Commits
sioner, and inserting in lieu thereof the
words Congress shall by concurrent
action elect an officer" and proceeded to
say y am done, for my part, with Civ
ing any patronage to the Secretary Of
the Treasury where it can be avoided.
He has already stated that he will APP
point no one TO office unless he sustains
the policy Of the President" This shows
the animus of Mr.. Thaddeus Stevens.
Mr.. spalding Republican, inquired if
the gentleman from Pennsylvania was
serious 4 urging this amendment, and
Mr. stevens replied by saying that he
was; cnen Mr.. Spaldng rejoined that
he shorld seriously oppose it.
Mr.. MORRILL, of Vermont: II sup
pose, Mr.. Chairman, that the gentleman
from Pennsylvania has fully accom-
plished mis- purpose by making his
speech, I presume that he does not in
tend to direct any portion OF his remarks
against the distinguished gentleman
who has been employed in this service
hitherto. Nor is there, | suppose, the
slignte>- apprehension that any other
man W. i be appointed to this position.
/. This amendment were appropriate
anywhere, it is not appropriate here.
I am one Of those who, from the first,
have been in favor Of keeping our finan-
ces in all their relationship bills, tar
ifs, and everything else-separate and
distinct from politics. am still in IA
yor Of that policy"
Mr.. HALE of New York II move to
amend the amendment by striking out
the last word, for the purpose Of calling
the attention of the committee to the
provisions of the constitution upon the
subject Of appointments to office. | do
not know that the consideration OF what
the constitutional provisions may be will
have any weight with the distinguished
gentleman from Pennsylvania, but it
strikes me that with this committee it
ought 20 have. Now sir, find in the
constitution no warrant for the exercise
by Congress, under any circumstances,
Of the appointing power. l find the ap-
pointing power provided for in express
terms in the second section of the Sec
ond article of the constitution, which l
ask leave to read:
He Che President shall have power, by and
with The advice and consent of the Senate. to
make treaties, provided two-thirds of the Sena-
tors present concur; and he shall nominate, and
by and with the advice and consent Of the Sem
ate, shah appoint ambassadors. other public
ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme
Court, andall other officers of the United States,
whose appointments are not herein otherwise
provided for, and which shall be established by
law. But the Congress may by law vest the ap-
pointnent of such inferior officers az they think
proper IN the President alone, in the courts Of
law, or N The heads of Departments"
Here we have defined by the Constitu-
ton the only authorities recognized by
that instrument as capable OF exercis-
ing the appointing power-the President
and the Senate, the President alone, the
courts Of law, and the heads of Depart
ments- / respectfully inquire of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania whether
ne proposes that, for the sake of pun
ishing the Secretary of the Treasury for
his very wicked speech the other even
ing, and his very wicked remark since,
Congress shall override the provis-
ions Of the Constitution and assume
power of appointment to the exclusion
OF all the authorities defined by the Con-
S.itution.
Mr.. STEvENs.-Thie is no Office. This
is an agency to be created by this Con-