Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-27
CONGRESSIONAL.
An Open War against the Liberals.
A General WhiteWashing in Prospect.
"Lay on, McDuf!'' . Etc.
SENATE.


| WASHINGTON, Feb. ga bill was in
.troduced by Mr.. Spencer, removing politica
disabilities from all persons engaged in th,
rebellion, on condition that they shall no
be enabled to maintain any claim or rigb
against the United States before such re
m0val of disabilities, unless the same ac.
crued prior to April II, 1852, or subsequent
TO April 10, 1856. ANA
The Administration Assumes the
I Offensive. e-E nm
Mr.. COnkling offered the following reso.
luton:
"Resolved, That the President be request
ed to inform the Senate Of the number OF
recommendations for appointment to OF
removal from Office, so far as can be ascer-
tanned, made to the present Administrative
by persons now Senators from the States OF
New York, Missouri, Illinois, and Ne
braska, respectively, giving such particu-
lars as may be given in regard to such re-
commentators in regard to the persons
whose appointment or removal was pro-
posed, together with statement of the
number of cases in which action was taken
In accordance with such recommendations
respectively; of the number of such per-
sons so appointed, who have been removed,
also, whether any Senators have solicited
! appointments or removals, or any cause
other than by transmitting papers, stating
the character and qualifications of the ap-
plicants, or of those who voucheG for ap-
plicants, if so, what Senators.
Mr.. Sawyer moved TO include South Car
olina.
Mr. Conkling accepted the amendment.
Mr.. Upton moved to amend so as to ir-
clude all the States.
! MI. Conkling said he was willing to vote
! for a similar resolution applying to all the
States, but preferred to have this one pass
unchanged, as he desired the information
asked as soon as possible.
Mr.. Upton said Mr.. Conkling. seemed
Favor Partial Investigation.
Mr.. Sumner called attention to the fact
that Messrs. Schurz and TrGmbull had lust
taken their seats. Investigation must not
be pressed behind the backs of the Senators
concerned.
Mr.. Conkling said he had noticed the alb
sence of the Senators mentioned. He
would be candid and say that it was his
own recommendations he wished to get at
Mr.. Schurz asked to have the resolution
read, as he was absent when it was offered.
The resolution was again read.
Mr.. Trumbull-When this matter of re-
commentators was brought to the alten-
ton ofthe Senate Friday by the Senator from
Indiana, (AIr. Morton) did not think pro-
per to reply TO his observations, and when
he stated that he had seen a tabulated
statement showing the number of recon-
memdations made by me, l thought it was
business very much beneath the Senate and
beneath any Senator to be
PrOwIfng About the Departments,
trying to find out how many recommenda-
Senator, as if that had anything to do with
the question then before the Senate. shall
make no opposition to the resolution. Let
us have the investigation, and let it go fur
theT-I want to know who
The sneaks
are, VINO 90 around to the departments
seeking information Of this kind. l want
to know at whose instance il was that the
department officials have been engaged in
making out tabular statements in reference
TO one of the members of this body.
want TO know who called for that informa-
ton, and whether it was required in refer
ence to all Senators, or only in reference to =
one. Let us see who those persons are
that thus go prowling around the depart
ments. Let US know from the heads of de-
partments, for what purpose this infOrma-
ton was sought, whether for public pur-
pose or for personal,
Mean and Contemplate
purposes. am willing to have this reso-
luton pass, but trust that civil service
reform is not to be defeated or corruption
covered up by personal attacks on those
who attempt to expose them. It is mat
ter of very little concern to the people
whether Senator has recommended one or
a thousand men for office, but it is of great
Importance to them to know whether
Improper, Dishonest and Corrupt
men are put into Office, and whether they
are placed there for personal, mercenary
and improper ends. l am willing that this
resolution shall pass with the amendment l
have suggested. If there is anything to be
made out of it, let the Senators from In
diana and New York have the benefit of it.
So far as | am concerned, l say to those
Senators:
LAY on NIcDuf,
And damned be he who first cries hold, enough"
Mr.. COnkling said he would accept the
amendment proposed by Mr.. Trumbull.
MOrtOn's Reply.
Mr.. Morton: The statement l spoke of
Friday was not made out at my request. 1
don't know at whose request 1t was made
out, but | had seen it. l should not have /
referred to it, however, but for the insinu-
atoms Mr.. Trumbull had made in regard to
myself and others hanging on to the skirts /.
of power for meTcenary purposes. l have !
the right to denounce hypocrisy wherever | |
find it. If any man comes here and casts !
insinuatiOns on me that l am seeking for |
patronage while he himself has gone as far I
as any one in recommending to office, has |
recommended in writing and verbally, has /
even gone to the Executive and demanded |
personally, the appointment of relatives and 1
friends, has been persistent, has been i'm
Fortunate. If any such man comes on this |
floor and casts insinuatiOns on
me, l have the right without being
criticised for it to call attention to what !
he has done himself In regard to proWl- /
ing around the Departn entS, | have been
in only one Department during this sesSionOf
Congress. l do not 60 to the Departments
once wheer, | suppose, the Senator (Trum-
bulD goes twenty times; and so far as
Sneaks are concerned, who is the sneak? Is |
it the man who comes here aud casts impu-
tations on SenatOrs-impugns their motives,
talks about their hanging on to the skirts Of .
power, and attempts to make party capital /
by charges of that kind, when he has been .
one of the most importunate seekers for
office, and has urged the appointment of |
friends personally and in writing time and .
again? Now, said that had seen a state /
ment showing that the Senator had made /
103 recommendations in writing to this ad- /
ministratiOu. | believe the statement to be !
true, and that it will be verified Under the /
resolution offered by the Senator from New !
York.
The FrancO-PrussIan ImbrOEIiO.
The resolution went over at the eXpira-
ton of the morning hour, and the Senate
resumed consideration Of the resolution to
inu1lire into the alleged sales of arms to the