The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-08

TIE EUhT1ETH CONGRESS.
~~>~c~~~~c~~>~>~->~~~~~~
Second session.
SENATE.
wAsHrNeTox Feb. !, 1863
aEnoRIAIs AND PETITIONS
sT. PATTERSON, (dsm.l Of Tenn. presented memorial
OF the discharged army officers IN regard the in
creased compensation voted In 1894 which referred
TO the Committee on Military Affairs
ME- PohERoy rep) Of Kansas presented petitions Of a
convention Of manufacturers at Cleveland Ohio in
gad to the oppressveness OF the saterna tax
lso Of the merchants. &c. of New York on the same
seung iorth the diihcuities in regard TO the col
oe on Finance
Mr. SUMNER, trep) Of Mass, presented memorial Of
the American Statistical Association calling attention to
me propositions relating to the metrical system OF
Weighs measures ana coins which referred to the
Mr.: RAMSEY, trepl Of Mimi, presented petition from
the citizens Of Minnesota praying aid for the Northern
Pacific Railroad; also in regard tho protection
American citizens abroad, which appropriately
referred.
pREEmprIor
ME- SHERMAN. (rep) OF Ohio. introduced bill to allow
persons now occupying lands on islands in the Great
taxing tho proper steps and paying 81 so per acre.
. THIS BANKRUPTCY LAW.
mt; FERRY, rep, OF Conn, introduced bill in
addition to the act to establish uniform system of
bankruptcy throughout the United States, which
referred to the Judiciary Committee.
On motion Of Mr.. PATTERSON, trep) Of N. H.. the
Senate took up his proposed substitute reported from
the committee ON RetroDchments for act addition
to the act for regulating the tenure or certain oaces
After verbal amendments, Mr. CAMERON, rep.) Of Pa,
moved to srck out the provso authorizing the Secre
ary OF State TO appoint i've special agents be paid
out Of the contingent fund department. He said the
Senate bad heretofore voted down the proposition.
Mr.. SUMNER SAID that Mr. Patterson had that time
given notice that he would the provision
Othor departments were allowed twenty. Ave agents
Mr. CAMERON repeated his objections to the system OF
secret agents His great objection that the In
ali departments would be employed who had not the
confidence OF the country and could not be confirmed
by the Senate.
Mr. CONFESS (rep Of CAL, took the same view as Mr.
Sumner He thought 1t nexpedent to make any such
change without at least inquiry by the committee.
II an administration existed at the other end Of tho
Cameron) had confidence, he doubted whether would
attempt TO take from the Secretary Of State that small
power SO important to the interests Of the State Depart
Mr. CAMERON thought It Of doubtful propriey to ques
Senator from Massachusetts had any more n6dence in
the administration?
Mr.. SUMNER-Not at ALL
Mr.. CAMERON continued saying that agents abroad did
not do the country one coppes worth Of good during
the war He mad dned at Liverpool in 1852 whore there
were score oil foreign consuls present. and but
tho United States Consul in favor Of He thought
the State Department the best place TO begin the policy
OF reTenchment.
Mr.. FEsENDES, ,rep.) of No., would oppose cutting
OH OF what he deemed essential In time OF peace
than consus but he thought that the department had
been conducted with economy and care.
Mr. CoNNEss referred TO The enormous contingencies
Mr. FEssENDEN denied that the contingencies which
he had charge had been extravagaut If extravaganza
existed in any department IL was in this chamber, and
tho adage "PhysIcan heal thysef' applied TO them
more than to ahy department Of tho government It
70 the State Department which Shout be allowed some
them change it.
rhe amendment Of Mr. Cameron was lost-s to 80
Mr.. STEWART. trepl of Nevada, offered another pro-
viso. that names and amounts paid subagents shall be
reported to the Senate at the commencement OF each
session, with the time Of appointment.
Mr.. SHERMAN opposed the amendment calculated to
give great trouble unnecessarily. No read such
reports, and IL would be improper and humiiatng
exposure OF Names such agents. perhaps being men Of
Messrs. Anthony and Henderson also opposed it, as
calculated TO defeat the very object Of The amendment
Mr.. sunSER-Certainy 1t would.
Mr. STEWART necessity for secret agents for the
Mr. SUMNER again urged the absolute necessity Of tho
Mr. PATTERSON, OF N H.. said distrust Of the
administration that suggested such provisions TO the
committee, but the necessity for retrcnchment He
hoped some useless consus and ministers would be cut
The amendment was lost
TN motion of Mr.. HOWARD, rep Of Mich, the bill was
further amended by including railroad commissioners in
| it's provisions
uoua section authorizing the President, with the
sent Of the Senate to appoint in addition to those now
authorized by law, Indian Agent tor the State Of
Iowa. two for Dakota, three Montana two for Idaho
two for Arizona, TWO for New Mexico ono for Nevada
and one for tho indian Territory whose compensation
shall not exceed 1900 year. with authority 10 discon-
tnuo any Of them at any time. He explained that the
bill cut of the present Indian Agents. and this would
Mr.. SHERMAN hoped tho amendment would be voted
down and suitable provision made in the General APP
| preparation bull.
The amendment adopted.
Mr.. HrsDRicKs dem.l of Ind moved to strike out
sect three providing for disseminating all such officers
days after tho passage of this act and requiring
their disappointment and confirmation by the Senate
tons, to loading down the legislative bodies with
combinations, and thought such matters should be left
10 heads Of departments They might as well require
the confirmation OF all tho clerks departments
the Senate. Responsibility for appointments should be
left with the Executive heads Of departments instead
Mr.. STEWART asked whether the Senator thought head
Of department. should be held responsible for the
Mr.. HESDRcSs replied the Affirmative The rcspon-
sbiy should be left where the constitution left IT, and
efficiency Of the Departments could then be expected
Mr. CosKISc, trep Of N Y, said that laying frau ds
the Tenure OF ONCE bill futile the Prcsiden
and heads OF departments had full power OF
suspension for misconduct beyond that for
power existed beyond political preferences. The skill
u and adro Senator from Indiana could not SHIFT the
responsibility TO Congress- which had merely attempted
to protect honest men In doing their duty.
Mr.. HENDRICKS reiterated that If department was to
power OF removal or appointment in his own hands,
whereas this bill imposed him the necessity OF max
ing out case against each man removed He expected
the party IN power, IL they continued three years,
would seek the repeal OF this very act, and no would
support them in IT,
Mr.. CoSKLrNs said where the shoe pinches was that
the bill gave over TO the Senate the question Of
ing officers for the first Il did not hinder III e
suspension Of any officer for misconduct incapacty by
| a stroke OF the pen.
Mr.. BUcKArsw, ,dem of Pa, claimed that the Execu.
| ives hands would be parayaed by the bill and the
execution OF law impeded II eiectualy gave power OF
appointments TO the senate, removing after ten day
certain officers, and requiring reappointment and
confirmation
Mr.. CoSKuSG said the statute preventing the pres.
dent from prosiitutlng his Office by exercising all The
patronage OF the country tender subject with the
Senator and caused great lie quoted the Tenure
OF Office bill that tho President could suspend
for misconduct OF any kind transmitting at the proper
time his reasons for such action.
Mr.. BprKAL.w said the statute required something
more than ordinary misconduct 20 authorize suspcn-
sionS IL required absolute unntncss.
Mr.. HARAy moved a this stage that tho special order,
ON which he had the noor be postponed.
Mr.. JOHNSON. dem Md said thai having thus fnI