H. OF R.] Wiscasset Collector. [MAY 5, 1832. Now, Mr. Speaker, let me ask you to bear in tried. But this did not exactly answer the purpose, for the people every where asked-why, if this is the princi- mind that, at the moment when this message was sent to ple on which the removals are made, is it not extended Congress, there had been removed from office at least alike to all who have, for a considerable length of time, one thousand individuals, for no cause but opposition to been in office? Why confine the removals exclusively to General Jackson's election, and to reward the hungry exthose who have opposed General Jackson's election, pectants who had come in at the eleventh hour to share though they may have been but a short time in office, the spoils of victory. And yet the message professed to while his friends, however long they may have been in the exhibit the true grounds of these removals! A more finishpublic service, are uniformly retained? Shallow as was ed piece of official deception than this, I undertake to say, this pretence, it was still kept up, and was incorporated cannot be found since the days of Oliver Cromwell; unless, in the President's first message to Congress! But this was indeed, I except the inaugural address. Instead of comnot deemed sufficient; and some other ground must, ing forward with a frank, manly avowal of the truth, the therefore, be resorted to. A few cases of fraud and other author of the message attempts to divert the public attenofficial misconduct had been discovered, (mostly, how-tion from it, by gravely talking of offices being "created ever, after the individuals had been removed,) and these for the benefit of the people;" that they were "not esta were instantly seized upon as a justification of the whole blished to give support to particular men;” and that “rosystem of "reform"-a justification involving in one ge- tation in office is a leading principle in the republican creed, neral condemnation the innocent with the guilty. And to and gives healthful action to the system!" There is, moremake it appear more ample, the most innocent transac-over, throughout the whole, a studied and artful attempt tions were, in numerous cases, (to some of which I shall to insinuate that the removed were "under the influence hereafter particularly advert,) magnified and distorted of feelings unfavorable to the faithful discharge of their into grave charges of official misconduct. duties;" that they were in the "habit of looking with inHaving thus attempted to infuse the subtle poison into difference upon the public interests, and tolerating conthe public mind, it was announced in the Government pa- duct from which unpractised men would revolt," that they per in this city, a short time before the meeting of Con-" considered offices as a species of property, and Governgress in December, 1829, that the President would, in his ment as a means of promoting their individual interests;" next message, give to the country a satisfactory account of that their feelings and principles had thus become either the whole matter. Congress convened, and all looked to "perverted" or "corrupted;" and that the "public bethe President's message for the promised exposition.nefits" required their removal. Permit me, now, sir, to read that part of it which relates to this subject. Now, sir, who could have expected all this from the Chief Magistrate of the United States?-from General "There are, perhaps, few men (says the President) Jackson, the man who had been distinguished for his apwho can, for any great length of time, enjoy office and parent frankness—his fearlessness—his willingness to meet power, without being more or less under the influence of responsibility? Who could have expected that the man feelings unfavorable to the faithful discharge of their public who had always been so alive to his own reputation,* duties. Their integrity may be proof against improper would have thus attempted to divert the public attention considerations immediately addressed to themselves; but from his own official misconduct, by general, sweeping inthey are apt to acquire a habit of looking with indifference sinuations against a class of men, to all of whom reputaupon the public interests, and of tolerating conduct from tion was as dear as to himself? In a which an unpractised man would revolt. Office is consider- To sustain the slander of all the removed, thus put forth ed as a species of property; [who better understood this by the President, the newspapers in the employ of the than the author of the message?] and Government rather administration were enlisted throughout the country; and, as a means of promoting individual interests, than as an in- to the complaints against the operation of the system of strument created solely for the service of the people. "reform," the frauds of Watkins, and a few others, were Corruption in some, and in others a perversion of correct freely urged as an answer; accompanied with the same feelings and principles, divert Government from its legi- general insinuations which formed the prominent feature timate ends, and make it an engine for the support of the of the message. few, at the expense of the many. And now, sir, after the lapse of two years, when the country where offices are created solely for the benefit of newspapers have almost become ashamed thus indiscri the people, no one man has any more intrinsic right to minately to assail the innocent with the guilty, and when official station than another. Offices were not established the President has become satisfied that the public will not to give support to particular men, at the public expense." hear a repetition of it from him, a member of this House [Who ever contended that they were? And why is this is found willing to renew the attack upon this floor! The assertion introduced into the message?] "No individual gentleman from Mississippi [Mr. PLUMMER] opened his wrong is, therefore, done by removal; since neither ap- speech by asserting that there had been no removals for pointment to, nor continuance in office is matter of right. opinion's sake; and then proceeded to cite, as examples The incumbent became an officer with a view to public be- of the removals, the cases of numerous individuals whom nefits; and when these require his removal, they are not to he named, and charged with various kinds and degrees be sacrificed to private interests. It is the people, and they of official and other misconduct--among whom was the alone, who have a right to complain, when a bad officer individual who now addresses is substituted for a good one. He who is removed has the To give an imposing air to his assertions, the gentleman same means of obtaining a living that are enjoyed by the said he had been instructed by the people of Mississippi to millions who never held office. The proposed limitation defend the administration; and, from his tone and manner, would destroy the idea of property now so generally con- seemed to present himself here as its champion. I cannot nected with official station; and although individual dis- forbear saying that the administration must be in a bad tress may be sometimes produced, it would, by promoting way, when, among all the high-minded and honorable that rotation which constitutes a leading principle in the friends it has on this floor, no one can be found to perrepublican creed, give healthful action to the system." form this service but the gentleman from Mississippi! Instructed by the people of Mississippi to defend the administration! Did they instruct him to come here and rudely * Numerous cases occurred, in which the removed had been in office but a few months. Among these was the case of the Treasurer of the United States, a highly respectable citizen of Pennsylvania. you. * The Globe has recently represented him as saying that "he lived for character!" MAY 5, 1832.] Wiscasset Collector. [H. OF R. assail, on this floor, men of whom he knows nothing, by whether his charges against me were true or false. That making charges against them which he has not a particle of proof to sustain, and many of which he has been forced to retract almost as soon as made? he did not thus know, was evinced by his avoiding a spe- Instructed by the people of Mississippi! Sir, does the gentleman suppose me blind to what has passed since he took his seat here? Did nobody observe the circumstances connected with the change of his vote, at a critical moment, on a very important question, in which the feelings of the President are known to be strongly enlisted? Has nobody heard that a certain gentleman, not long after, visited the President of the United States?--that the President, on that occasion, spoke in disparaging terms of a certain individual who was an applicant to him for office? that the gentleman informed the President that the applicant, of whom he spoke, was his friend and relative, and that he felt bound to vindicate him? Has the gentleman from Mississippi never been apprised of the expression, soon after, of that gentleman's feelings in regard to the President? Has he not heard that that friend was, soon In regard to the first of these charges, I frankly admit after, nominated to an important office? And was he not, that I was ardently attached to the last administration--to soon after this, astonished to see that gentleman come on all its members--but especially to its distinguished head. to this floor, and commence a speech, distinguished for its And how, sir, could I feel otherwise towards a man who high-sounding praises of "the old hero?" If this did not" bore his faculties so meek," and was "so clear in his surprise the gentleman from Mississippi, I believe it did great office?" I believed, and I still believe, that "all every body else; and that surprise was greatly increased the ends he aimed at were his country's, his God's, and when he permitted himself, in that speech, to sport with truth's." Sir, I cannot say more; and my feelings will not the characters of individuals who had been removed from permit me to say less. And now I put it to every gentleoffice, in a manner which plainly evinced either that he man who hears me, whether, when such a man was assaildid not expect to be believed, or did not know that a good ed with the vile charge of "bargain and corruption," my character was worth possessing or preserving. Instruct-feelings could be any other than those of deep and strong ed by the people of Mississippi! Sir, the ostrich hides its indignation. Sir, I felt like a man, and acted like a freehead, and vainly hopes it is not seen. Just as vain is the man. Is this a disqualification for office? It may be in the gentleman's hope. Who cannot perceive that, instead of estimation of the gentleman from Mississippi. But I have acting in obedience to instructions from the people of Mis-not been so taught. When I entered on my duties in the sissippi, he has become the instrument of certain indivi- Department of State, I did not, I could not, divest myself duals here-the conduit pipe through which they eject of the feelings and habits of a freeman-feelings and hatheir crude, undigested venom upon the objects of their bits which were formed among the noble race of men calllate? ed Green Mountain boys." I wish the gentleman from Mississippi could visit and mingle with them. He might [Here Mr. S. was called to order by the Speaker.] Mr. S. observed that he had no intention to transgress learn something that would be useful for him to know. the rules of order. A gentleman from Maine had been But, sir, while I retained and exercised my rights as a indulged in a similar course of remark with regard to a freeman, did I fail in my duty as a public officer? Did I gentleman from Ohio. It was his intention to speak of resort to any improper or dishonorable means to sustain the motives of no man; but he supposed himself at liberty the last administration? to state what he understood to be facts. But from whom comes this charge of being a violent [Mr. PLUMMER here observed that he had no objec-partisan? Sir, it comes from an administration which has tions to the gentleman's proceeding with his remarks, and did not intend to make any reply.] appointed to office scores and hundreds of the most violent partisans in the country. I need not cite examples. Mr. S. resumed. Mr. Speaker, it is not enough that I Evidence of the truth of my assertion exists every where. have been removed from office: I must be followed into That there should, however, be partisans in office, is not, this Hall with a malignant, groundless slander. I do not, with me, a subject of complaint. While we are permithowever, claim exemption from the attack, because I am ted to enjoy a free Government, and offices are filled with a member of this House; and I so stated to the gentleman freemen, we shall, of course, have men in office who will from Mississippi, after he came to me, upon making it, form decided opinions, and take a decided part in the powith the apology that he did not know I was a member.litics of the country. But there is a wide difference beDid not know that I was a member! No. He supposed me tween partisans who become such from the conviction of five hundred miles off, where I could not defend myself! their own judgment, and those who are stimulated by the He might, and should have added that he did not know hope of reward. Under the old-fashioned rule of appointment, there will, indeed, be partisans in office, but It had been moved that the bank committee should they will be such from principle. Under the new rule, be appointed by the House. Mr. P. voted in favor of the they will be partisans from interest--mere mercenaries. motion. After the calling of the yeas and nays was com- In one case, they will be freemen; in the other, slaves. pleted, and it was found that a change of one vote would The early friends of General Jackson were such from decide the question in the negative, Mr. P., upon request, principle. They regarded him as a prompt, energetic, changed his vote, and the result was the appointment of straightforward, upright man. They were grateful for the committee by the Speaker instead of the House. This his military services. They thought that abuses existed change was the subject of much remark at the time, and in the Government, which required reform; and that he was subsequently alluded to, on the floor, by Mr. PEARCE, was the man to effect it. They gave him a manly and ho of Rhode Island. Mr. P. had charged me with being removed from office for having been "a violent partisan, and travelling electioneerer." VOL. VIII.-175 * No allusion was here intended to the Secretary of the Treasury. The Second Comptroller and Second and Fourth Auditors belong to the Treasury Department. H. OF R.] Wiscasset Collector. [MAY 5, 1832. That I was not removed from office on account of my supposed interference in the senatorial election, or on account of official misconduct, will, I think, be sufficiently apparent to any one who will examine the correspondence which took place between Mr. Van Buren and myself on that occasion. norable support. However much they were mistaken, and whatever evils the elevation of their favorite has been instrumental in bringing on the country, they acted from pure and upright motives, which I respect. But, sir, these early and honest friends have been compelled to give way to a mercenary corps who came in at the eleventh hour, to swell the triumph, and enjoy the "spoils" Assailed as I have been here, I feel it due to myself to of victory. The first were too honest to serve the purposes say that I hold in my hand a testimonial which was placed of this administration; the last are equal to any purpose. in the possession of Mr. Van Buren more than a month A few words, Mr. Speaker, as to the other charge before I was removed from office. It was from a distinagainst me--"a travelling electioneerer!" It was not suf-guished friend of General Jackson, who had the means of ficient to assert that I electioneered in one, two, or half a knowing whether I had neglected my official duty. I candozen cases; but, that the charge might go forth in the not read it; and whoever should see it, would perceive the most odious form possible, the gentleman was instructed reason why I cannot. I allude to it, not to sustain myself to say that I was a travelling electioneerer! Yes, a travel- here, but to show that Mr. Van Buren acted directly ling electioneerer! Mr. Speaker, I cannot permit myself against evidence which he was bound to respect. to dwell upon this charge, or hardly to think of the man I would, Mr. Speaker, gladly have avoided the ungrawho could make it against any one, without the most am- cious task of speaking of myself; but I have thought it prople proof to sustain it. I might rely for my justification per, and, under the circumstances, necessary, to say thus upon the absence of any such proof, and of any attempt much. 1 gladly turn from my own vindication to that of to produce it. But I trust I shall be excused, if I occupy others who have been assailed by the gentleman from a few moments in presenting the ample vindication which Mississippi. I regret that I cannot recollect them all. is within my power. Their names and pretended causes of removal were so ra In the absence of any specification, I am left to conjec-pidly announced, that I was unable to note them. Anx ture that it is the old, refuted charge, made against me by ious, however, to defend them, as far as might be in my the late Governor Van Ness, in 1827. The circumstances power, I addressed to the gentleman from Mississippi the under which it was made were these. Governor Van following note: Ness was a candidate, in Vermont, in the year 1826, for "Mr. Slade requests Mr. Plummer to send him, to-day, the office of Senator of the United States. He was defeat-if convenient, a list of the persons mentioned by Mr. P. in ed. He thereupon suddenly abandoned the party who his late speech as having been removed from office; tosupported Mr. Adams, became a thorough-going Jackson-gether with a statement of the cause of the removal of man, (for which he has since been rewarded with the mission each individual, as assigned in the speech.--May 9, 1832.” to Spain,) and charged his defeat to the interference of [Here Mr. PLUMMER said, in an undertone, "Read the last administration, through certain agents which he the answer."] said had been employed for that purpose, of whom he asserted that I was one. The gentleman from Mississippi has the assurance to call upon me to read the answer, when he knows he has The facts concerning myself were these. I was a clerk given me none! Yes, sir, more than two weeks have in the Department of State, and, on account of ill health, elapsed, during which he has seen me almost every day, sought and obtained permission, in the summer of 1826, and yet not the slightest answer has been given to this to take the agency of transporting the laws of the United reasonable request. This is the way in which it is thought States to the States north and east of Pennsylvania. In proper to treat the men who who have been assailed on performing that service, I went to Vermont. After Go- this floor! But I will allude to the cases, as far as I can vernor Van Ness's defeat, he came out with a publication, recollect them. My limits require that I should be brief. in which he asserted, that while travelling through Vermont, I made myself active as an agent of the administration, in the senatorial election, professing to act in its name, and to express its wishes, in regard to that election, and that several persons, with whom I held private conferences, directly afterwards took an active part against him, and on the ground that I was known to take, that is, that the administration desired a defeat. Of Mr. Fendall, who was dismissed from the Department of State contemporaneously with myself, I will say that there was in the department no gentleman more wor thy the confidence of its head, than him. Intelligent, industrious, and methodical in business, he was eminently fitted to the discharge of the duties which belonged to his station. I deem it proper to add that the letter of dismissal to Mr. Fendall was precisely the same as that addressIn my reply to this charge, addressed to Governor Van ed to myself, with the change of name; that letter having Ness, after denying it, I said: "I here take the liberty to spoken of the dismissal as being the "result of an unplea ask you, sir, who are the men who thus took an active part sant duty" on the part of the Secretary. Mr. Fendall, against you, in consequence of holding private conferen- feeling, like myself, that the assignment of such a reason inces with me? And what was the ground I was known to volved a charge of official misconduct, addressed a respecttake? And when, and to whom was it known? I have ful note to the Secretary, in which he says: only to say, sir, and I need only say, that to these ques- of having discharged the trust referred to, with a fidelity tions no answer was ever given, or attempted to be given. which might well invite and defy scrutiny, I am impelled Governor Van Ness having alluded, in his publication, by a sense of justice to myself to inquire, very respectfulto an interview between General Francis, of Vermont, and ly and earnestly, whether, in performing the duty myself, the former, unsolicited by me, addressed to me a which you are pleased to style unpleasant,' you acted letter, in which he said: "I well recollect our conversa- on a different estimate of my conduct." To this note, the tion. I introduced the subject of the senatorial election, Secretary returned an answer, word for word the same as and spoke as I felt, in favor of Mr. Seymour. You decided- that addressed to myself; in which he says that his note of ly expressed to me your determination not to intermeddle dismissal "was written without designing to convey the in the election; and no allusion was made to the adminis-imputation Mr. Fendall refers to." Thus it seems the Setration in connexion with it." cretary had a regular "non-committal" form, for use on Here rested the charge against me of interfering in the every occasion! senatorial election; and here it would have rested, probably forever, had it not been dug up, and put into the hands of the gentleman from Mississippi, for exhibition on this floor. "Conscious Mr. Brown, removed at the same time from the State Department, though a friend of the preceding administration, had taken no part in the contest. He had been educated a clerk, was, therefore, fitted to no other employ MAY 5, 1832.] Wiscasset Collector. [H. OF R. ment, and had been most assiduously devoted to the duties men to you, because I have understood that efforts are of his office. He was suddenly thrown upon the world making to remove one or both of them. I should exwith a large family, and destitute of the means of their tremely regret such a step, as well on your account as that support. of the public. And there was young Watkins, son of Tobias Watkins, "With the operations of the department I am well acdismissed at the same time. The father had just been re- quainted. I am anxious that its reputation shall be susmoved from the office of Fourth Auditor, and thrown upon tained; and I am convinced this cannot be done if the the world with a family of ten children, and without pro- above named gentlemen be removed. This remark is perty. The son was upon a salary of $800; and this pit- made with a perfect knowledge of all the facts. After tance, so necessary to the subsistence of the family, thus, you shall have acquired a full knowledge of the office, in a moment, reduced from comfort to extreme want and their services may not be so important; though, I confess, distress, was taken from him, because he was the son of I should not, were I to remain in the department, think Tobias Watkins! of changing the assistants. With sincere regard, yours, "J. M'LEAN." The three McDaniels, named by the gentleman from Mississippi, the charges against whom he has found himself compelled to retract, were dismissed for no other reason than because they had been clerks under Tobias Watkins! whose sins almost every removed officer in the country has had to bear. I hazard nothing in saying that more able and efficient men were not to be found in any of the departments. I could add much more in regard to the Bradleys, but more cannot be necessary to their complete vindication. While I hold in my hand the paper from which I have read this testimonial, permit me to read, as I find it before me, the note of the Postmaster General, dismissing Mr. Bestor, a most valuable clerk in that department. POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Mr. Fillebrown was dismissed from the Navy DepartWashington, October 5, 1829. ment on the professed ground that a draft had been drawn in his favor, for the purpose of transferring funds from "SIR: Your services are no longer required in this ope head of expenditure in the department to another a department. Respectfully, your obedient servant, transfer which has been considered by some as illegal, "W. T. BARRY." though it had long been the practice in the department; Permit me to add, that Mr Bestor, thus unceremoniousbut for which Mr. F. was as innocent as the paper on ly removed, without a pretence of official misconduct, was which the draft was written. He was, also, charged with an officer in the late war, and has a testimonial from his being a defaulter; having retained in his hands a per cent- commanding officer, which concludes with the following: age on the disbursement by him of the navy pension fund. "I declare, without the least intention to disparage any one A suit was afterwards brought against him in the name of whatever, that Mr. Bestor was the most exemplary officer the United States to recover the sum thus alleged to be I have ever seen, in the course of eleven years' service." in his hands. It is only necessary for me to say that that The last case I will notice, is that of Mr. Coyle, removsuit has resulted in a verdict and judgment in his favor! ed from the office of chief clerk in the General Post OfMr. Fillebrown was left with a large family, and destitute fice. It gives me great pleasure to say that I have known of property. The perplexing and expensive suit that he few men more distinguished for purity of life, and unyieldwas obliged to defend, has added greatly to his distress. ing integrity and fidelity, than Mr. Coyle. He was chargMy heart bleeds whenever I meet him. But it is some ed, and the charge is now repeated by the gentleman consolation, though a painful one, to know that he suffers from Mississippi, with having overdrawn his salary. The unjustly. facts were, that in October, 1828, Mr. Coyle applied to The next case which I will notice, is that of Mr. Nourse, Mr. Abraham Bradley, who had the charge of making the removed from the office of Register of the Treasury. This disbursements in the department, for the sum of $300. On aged public servant, who had spent his whole life in the its being ascertained that there was not so much due him, service of his country, was suddenly displaced, and charged Mr. Bradley proposed to give a check for the amount, and with being a defaulter to the amount of 11,000 or 12,000 charge it to himself. The check was accordingly drawn. dollars; and all his property was seized, to secure the sup- Some time after this, on posting the cash from his counter posed defalcation, under a treasury warrant, during his checks, he, by mistake, charged the amount to Mr. Coyle absence from this city. Mr. Nourse filed a bill in the court instead of himself. Mr. Coyle rested easy, supposing himof this District, praying an injunction upon the proceed-self to be indebted for the advance to Mr. Bradley, inings against him. A temporary injunction was granted, stead of the department. and commissioners appointed to adjust the account be- On making out a list of balances, upon the accession of tween him and the United States, who decided, after a Mr. Barry to the office of Postmaster General, there appatient examination, that there was a large sum due to peared a balance against Mr. Coyle. The circumstances him; whereupon the injunction was made perpetual. The were immediately explained, and Mr. Barry professed to commissioners were among the most able and impartial be perfectly satisfied. Mr. Coyle paid the amount, and men in the District. was retained in office nearly three months after, during With regard to the two Bradleys, whom the gentleman which time his salary was regularly paid to him. from Mississippi has alleged were removed from the offi- I am authorized to say that the Postmaster General freeces of Assistant Postmasters General for official miscon- ly declared to Mr. Coyle's friends that his character was duct, I will only detain the House while I read the follow."perfectly fair and unexceptionable," and that the alleg ing extract of a letter from the former Postmaster General ed overpayment had not in the slightest degree impaired to his successor, dated WASHINGTON, March 31, 1829. it in his estimation. And the correspondence between Mr. C. and the Postmaster General, which I will now read, shows that the latter admitted to Mr. C. that no charges affecting either his integrity or capacity had been made against him; but that the Postmaster General had made the change, from the confidential relation which ought to subsist between the chief clerk and the head of the department." "Before I left Washington, I expected to have the pleasure of taking you by the hand, and introducing you to the gentlemen of the Post Office Department. But, as I am deprived of this pleasure, I cannot, in justice to your self and the public service, refrain from recommending the continuance of the Assistant Postmasters General, who "Confidential relation!" What sort of confidence, in have been long identified with the department, and have the discharge of the appropriate duties of the department, been faithful to the trusts reposed. I name these gentle- could not be reposed in any honest man? This is a key, H. OF R.] Wiscasset Collector. [MAY 5, 1832. sir, which unlocks the whole mystery. The department I will not undertake to describe-for I cannot-the diswas to be made, as it has been made, an instrument of tress produced by many of these removals. Think, sir, party; and a party confidant must be selected to aid in the of a man fifty or sixty years of age, who has spent, peraccomplishment of that object! This is the leading prin- haps, the whole of his mature years in a clerkship, and ciple, which has distinctly marked the course of this ad- thereby become unfitted to engage successfully in any ministration in its removals and appointments. The great new employment, suddenly turned out upon the world question has uniformly been, not whether the incumbent with a large family, and unable, perhaps, within one of an office, or the applicant for it, was capable of serving month, of providing the means of spreading his table with the public, but whether he was capable of serving the the necessaries of life. And yet, to such men the Presiparty. And thus it has been sought to make the whole dent, in his message of December, 1829, administers the Executive Government, in all its branches, a grand engine, cruel consolation of saying that "he who is removed, has to secure and perpetuate the sway of the men in power. the same means of obtaining a living that are enjoyed by The case of Mr. Coyle, though a striking, is not a solitary the millions who never held office!" And not content example of this. Among the numerous cases which might with this, he follows it up with a sweeping insinuation of be cited, I might mention that of the chief clerk in the unfitness for official trusts in all who had been made the War Department. In his letter dismissing this officer, the victims of reform. He first takes from them their livings, late Secretary of War said: "The chief clerk of the de- and then assails their reputations to cover the injustice. partment should stand to his principal in the relation of a "Doth our law judge any man before it hear him, and confidential friend. Under this belief, I have appointed know what he doeth?" This was the severe rebuke uttered Dr. Randolph, of Virginia. I take leave to say that, since by a Jewish ruler to the persecuting Pharisees. It conI have been in this department, nothing in relation to you founded them, and it ought to confound, and put to has transpired, to which I could take the slightest objec- silence and to shame, the political Pharisees, who have, tion, nor have I any to suggest." for these three years, been blowing before them the trumpet of "reform," and pressing into the "uppermost rooms. I will add, in regard to the case of Mr. Coyle, that, for the publication of the same charge, which has now been repeated on this floor, he instituted a suit against the But the gentleman from Mississippi says that, after all editor of the Telegraph, who has finally consented to pay that has been said about the removals, two-thirds of the the cost, and has publicly retracted the charge. In doing officers in this city are opposed to General Jackson. This this, he has disclosed the important fact, that "the publi- is not true. Less than half are apposed to him. And to cation of the alleged cause of Mr. Coyle's removal was produce this result, about one-fourth of all the friends of founded on a memorandum given by the Post Office De- the last administration have been removed. And what partment, to enable him to give the public the cause for is the effect of this upon the opponents of the administrathe removal." Who gave the gentleman from Mississippi tion, who are retained? Just what the administration dehis memorandum? sire to have it, here and every where. The voice of Thus it is that the public papers have teemed with complaint is silenced. The spirits of those who dread to slanders of the persons removed. They have been turn- encounter the fell demon of "reform," are subdued. Do ed out of office, and forthwith posted in the papers as you ask for evidence of this? It exists in the fact, which unworthy of confidence; and this, too, in many cases, as in will not be denied, that, of the whole number of clerks that of Mr. Coyle, with assurances or admissions that who are said to be opposed to General Jackson, not one "no charges affecting either their integrity or capacity has dared to attend either of the two last opposition cele had been made against them." I might, Mr. Speaker, brations of the fourth of July in this city. And the allude to numerous other cases, not named by the gentle-operation of this has been so strong, that a respectable man from Mississippi; but I will not further trespass upon gentleman, having a brother in one of the departments, the time of the House.* actually refrained from indulging his inclination to attend the last celebration, through fear that it might induce the These facts, sir, speak volumes. They show you the genuine effects of the system of "reform." Sir, the very atmosphere of this city is tainted with the pestilential influence of Executive power. There is no man here who does not see it and feel it. *The removal of the librarian of Congress presents a case removal of that brother from office! It was the indulg of usurpation of power, too glaring to be passed entirely un-ence of the same apprehension that induced Mr. Clay, noticed. This officer, though appointed by the President, upon the occasion of a public dinner given him on his constitutes, properly, no part of the Executive Govern- retiring from the Department of State, kindly to sug ment. He is, in point of fact, an officer of the two Houses gest to the clerks in that department to refrain from gratiof Congress; and is required, by law, to execute a bond, fying their desire thus to testify their regard for him. conditioned for the faithful performance of his duties, in such sum, and with such sureties, as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives shall approve. Supposing, then, the President to possess, in strictness, the power of removing this officer--which it might easily be shown he does not--yet a decent respect In the true spirit generated by this system, the gentleman to the two Houses of Congress, for whose benefit the from Mississippi says that the individuals retained in office library was established, and whose wishes in regard to its hold their situations "by the bounty and liberality of the custody should obviously be consulted, would seem to have President." And, in the same spirit, the official paper suggested the propriety of waiting for some indication of in this city has recently said of the retained opponents of those wishes in regard to a removal. But, in the full tide of experiment at "reform," this consideration was entirely overlooked. Waiting for no expression of the will of either House of Congress, the President, during its recess, proceeded to assume the power of removing the librarian; and that, too, without any pretence of official misconduct, but for the mere purpose of substituting in his place a partisan friend. And to put the finishing stroke to this act of usurpation, the President committed the custody of the library to the new librarian, without the security of a bond approved as the law requires it should. be, before he enters upon the duties of the office. General Jackson, that they are "spared by the indulg ence of the administration." Bounty!-liberality!--spared by indulgence! Who does not see that all this is based upon the assumption that the offices are the property of the administration? What a strange perversion of all just ideas of the character of public trusts is this! Sir, these officers are the ministers of the law, not the creatures of the President. To talk of bounty, and liberality, and indulgence, is an insult to them, and an outrage on the constitution. But, sir, there has been no liberality and indulgence. The desolations of "reform" have, indeed, been stayed |