The daily gazette., 1880-11-23
Clayton i'm the Senate.
CHIEF JUSTICE CoMEGYs' REVIEW
OF THE CAREER OF THE ESII.
NENT DELAWARE SENATOR.

OF THE CAREER OF THE EDII-
NENT DELAWARE SENATOR.
Rev. T. G. Littell presided at the
informal meeting of the Historical
Society, last evening, at which Chief
Justice Comegys read the second in
stallment of his memoirs of Della
wares illustrious statesman, John
M. Clayton. Several ladies' were
present, and among the audience
were Caesar A. Rodney, Washington
Jones, John p. Belville, Colonel H.
S. McComb, Francis Vincent, DIR.
L. p. Bush, Rev. T. G. Littell, Rev.
j. M. Williams, DIR. A. III. Grim
shaw, George H. Bates, Esq, An
thony Higgins, Esq, DR.. j. 2.
Wales, Levi G. Bird, Esq, and
other well-known citizens.
The frs: part of the memoir end
ed with Clayton's entrance into the
United States Senate, in 1880, and
at this period the second installment
began. The session of the Senate
during the winter of this year was
the scene of the greatest debates the
country ever listened to. Foote'S
resolution in regard to the DISPOSE
ton of the public lands, though of
itself trivial in importance, gave
rise to that memorable discussion,
in which the great questions of gov
ernment were considered in all their
bearings. 1t was this discussion that
was led by Robert Y. Hayne, of
South Carolina, on one side, and by
Daniel Webster on The other, and in
which the 'great expounder" was
30 signally successful.
In this debate Clayton, though a
young man and just entering the
Senate, took leading part, and
grappled with all the questions that
were under discussion. Ho display
ed such thorough knowledge of
these questions as to not only sur
prise his friends but to reconcile his
political enemies-for it was
feature in Delaware politics, and is
to this day, that great ability in the
representatives of the State, always
commands the respect and admira-
ton of their political opponents.
During this discussion, the ques-
ton of the power of the President
to remove public officers, excepting
judges, without cause, was touched
upon, and against this power Mr..
Clayton made what was acknow-
lodged to be his ablest argument
during that session.
1t was also during this memorable
session that Mr.. Clayton introduced
his celebrated inquiry into the
abuses of the Postotfice Department,
and pushed it vigorously. though
tiercely opposed by the Executive,
the office holders, and The most
partizan press the country ever had.
He was obstructed and embarrassed
at every turn, even to the extent of
the adoption of resolution to sup
press the exposure of the reasons
that led TO the discharge of good
public officials. In the course of
this discussion Isaac Hill read his
great speech in defence Of the
alleged abuses in the Postoffice De-
partment, and attacked the CON-
mittee appointed to investigate
them.
However, the investigation terminated
in complete vindcAtion Of the con-
mlttee, no less than thirty-slx forgeres
being discovered in one document the
evident intent being to divert money
intended for the mail service into the
pockets of party favorites. Mr.. Clayton
continued his efforts in this direction
during two administrations, devoted
himself to the publication of the de-
partment and pointed out the true way
to reform the existing abuses. He rec
commended the bringing of the depart
ment under the direct control of Con.
gress, as was intended by law, and the
making of annual appropriations for its
support, in order that the Postmaster
General might be checked in his ex-
pendilure of unlimited amounts. His
suggestions were afterwards adopted by
the enactment Bf a law recognizing the
Postoffice Department upon Its present
basis.
In all other subjects coming before
Congress Mr.. Clayton took an active in
terest. In 1882 he advocated the pres
| ervaton of the currency and the exist
| ing financial system of the country, and
earnestly opposed President Jackson's
veto of the Bank bill. Here the Chief
Justice read an extract from Clayton's
speech against the removal of the de-
posits from the United States Bank, IN
which he displayed almost a prophetic
| foresight i'll depicting the sufierings that
would surely follow such a movement.
Mr.. Clayton was always an advocate
of the policy of protection, and during
the debate on ClaY's Compromise Bill,
| in 1893, declared that dearly as he loved
the Union he almost felt he could sac
ritice it sooner than his protective prln-
ciples. During the famous notification
] troubles, Mr.. Clayton gave his earnest
| support to President Jackson in his CO.
ercive measures against the proposed
| secession OF South Carolina, and made
a strong speech upon the subject in the
| Senate.
CLAYTON was one of the committee of
| seven to whom Clay's compromise bill
| was referred. Jackson demanded that
ClaytoL's name should be erased from
the committee, but the President of the
Senate refused to make the change. The
| bi II was finally reported without amend
ment, but at Clayton's suggestion the
Committee of the Whole moved two
amendments, one providing for the prin-
clpe of assessing imports on their home
valuation.
Mr.. Clayton moved to lay the bill on
the table, but temporarily withdrew
the motion to give the opposition time
for reflection, it being his intention to
bring the nullifiers face to face with
/ ltg Of Nt