Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-04-17

jjOurnment of course could be delayed.
Mr.. Williams concurred in the views ex-
pressed by the Senator from Rhode Island.
The proper mode was to fix the time. Tie
did not undertake to say what the facts were,
but it was probable that nominations might
be withheld by the President until the Sen
ate about to adjourn, SO that the Senate
might not have time to consider whether
they should reject or confirm them. 1t was
manifest that the President sent nominations
every day-those of men who were before
the Senate and rejected weeks or months ago.
But if they fixed day they could extend it
to suit the requirements of public duty. In
less time for adjournment was designated
Senators would drop off one by one. There
would be no quorum and much business
would be left in an unfinished condition. His
impression was that Senators would be in
duced to remain if they set the time for adj
journment. If no day were fixed no one
could tell how long the session would " drag
dozen nominations day Senators would
not believe it to be their duty to remain
here
MIR. Frelinghuysen said they would be i'll a
curious predcament if they fixed the time
ofadjournment for Monday, and there should
not be quorum present to prolong the time,
with view to acting upon the nominations
which might be sent in. 1t therefore occur
red to him that it best to fix time,
but that they all stay here until they had
discharged their duty. and the vacancies were
filled with good men, even if they had to re-
main here three months. They could add
journ on five minutes notice after their bust
ness was done He did not want To ma Ike
the impression that the Senate intended to
leave the Offices vacant, or fill them with such
persons rs the President might himself Sc
lect He thought the resolution of the Sena-
tor from Maine judcous.
Mr.. Stewart moved an amendment. 10 fix
Tuesday next al four o clock as the time for
the adjournment Of the Senate Mne die.
Mr. Sumner thought it would be better to
lay the resolution over for the present, and
To do all they could to complete their work.
He was willing to stay here as long AZ he was
required to reject improper nominations, ey-
en- if he should be detained in Washington
all the summer. They all knew the policy
of the President, which he himself declared
to be the - kicking out of Office, - and which
the Senate had cndcavored to arrest-not al
together successfully but only i'll II certain
degree. He was not disposed 10 surrender
the rights of the Senate under the Constitu-
ton and allow the - kicking ont policy.
He would prevent any such proceeding to the
last moment, and stay here as long az might
be needed Tor that purpose.
Mr. Anthony said that the Senate had often
rejected three more nominations of the
same man for the same office At this rate
they made little no progress.
Mr. Sumner. We make progress every
daV.
Mr.. Anthony. | don't see it.
Mr.. Henderson really no objection t.
acting on the resolution of adjournment and
then on the resolution of the Senator from
Maine. There was nothing in one inconsist-
cnt with the other He had voted for the
confirmation of some nominees. though they
differed from him in politics. and would do
so again if they were honest and capable.
He would offer no Obstacles but there were
some nominations for missions for which he
would not vote. 1t would he utterly imlos-
sible to keep II quorum here much longer.
They should fix day in order that the de
partments may know what they intend To do.
There was much responsibility i'll the de
partmcnts a. in the Senate. They must CO.
operate with the Senate To fill the vacancies
The President could not appoint to Office
without the advice and consent of the Sen
ate, and he must send the nominations To
them. If the departments went 10 work
and hunted up different nominees he thought
the Offices could liz filled The same persons
iitu been sent in from his own state three or
four times after their nomination had scpa-
rately, and from time to time been rejected.
Let other names be sent here. speedily. be
tween now and Tuesday and all the vacancies
can be filled. If there then dead lock
it would not be the fault of the Senate.
I Mr. Conkling did not agree with the Sena-
/ tor from Missouri that there was nothing in
consistent in fixing a day for adjournment
and then calling on the President for intor-
nation to show at what time they were like
J 4 l.,
after the fact for evidence to decide the case
/ He should like to see the resolution of the
Senator from Maine adopted. in order that
the country might know what prolonged the
session 1t would be interesting for the
country to know. if the vacancies remain un-
filled, on whom rested the responsibility. He
had no doubt ar to where it belonged. He
! had no idea that it belonged to the Senate
For months Offices had remained vacant, anC
vet no nominations had been made for then
until Yesterday. Nobody was responsible,
for this but the President. Day by day
nominations in driblets, eight or ten at i
time, were sent here. Rumor meantime wa
informing them that hundreds of offices were
vacant. He knew Of instances where agree
ments had been made between all parties ano
urged DAYS ago, and names presented t,
which there could be no objection. 1t wa'
important the country should know, Ia
did, where lay the responsibility. Like til,
Senator from Massachusetts, he should be
very glad, despite convenience and persona
interest, to sit here, no matter how long, il
order to thwart the organized attempt to pu
up the public patronage as inducements TO
men to forsake their principles in order tina
they might, as had been eloquently said, ca
the Presidents bread and butter.
Mr. Yates said it was the duty of the Sen
ate to remain here until they had completed
their business. The Senate occupied posi-
ton quite as independent of the President
as the President did of the Senate If th'
President would advise with the Senator
from the different states there would be II,
difficulty But he had persistently, and 70
party purposes, appointed men of his OWL
political faith, without regard to that of Sen
ators. 1t was plain the President did MOI
consult Senators, but persisted III sendin,
nominations in favor of johnson 5 - policy.
The Senate had Il right to reject such nomin
atoms. The Senate should wait rcasonabl,
time before adjourning. and then let the re
sponsibility of leaving the Offices vacant at
tach where it properly belonged. He was
therefore. in favor of fixing IA day of ad
iournment This would let the Presiden
know they were not willing to sit here await
ing his pleasure. He would be willing t.
wait here if he knew the President was hon
estly sick all the time. but would not abid
his dictation and confirm his appointments.
4 Negro Orator i'm Tennessee.