APRIL 25, 1834.] Banks of the District of Columbia. [H. OF R. They also have $6,826,685 87 greater paper circula- into consideration the facts which have been stated to this ion than specie on hand. House in memorials from the corporation, that the corThis statement does not include the individual depos-poration owes a debt, in Europe in part, and at home in tes, which generally are large, owing to the fact, I am part, of upwards of one million eight hundred thousand old, of the banks paying interest on the individual depos-dollars, the city tax to meet the interest of that debt, and tes. Those deposites, and the other debts and liabilities the other current expenses of the year, is equal to three of the banks, are equal to their other disposable funds, per cent. upon the cash selling price of real property, as and the difference between the specie on hand in each I have been informed, there can be no doubt that no calDank, and the public deposites and paper in circulation, culations can be made on that item. The item of stocks an only be met by calling in the notes under discount, of various kinds deserves a minute investigation. That which cannot be effected within the time the Government would, at first appearance, seem to be available means, will want the money. This will be the necessary conse- until we inquire and ascertain what kind of stock it is. To quence when the banks are solvent, but I am fearful a do that, I will refer to a report of the bank, made to the amber of them will prove insolvent when the demand Senate, as to its situation, on the 9th of December, 1833, or the money of the Government shall be made. That which is as follows: emand must be made this year, to meet the current exenses of the year. It will be recollected all commercial perations are paralyzed, and that, in all probability, the portation of goods subject to duty will fall short thirty forty millions this present year. If that event shall ippen as a part of the fruits and blessings of this gloous experiment the President has been making for the st six months, then the public deposites will all have to e called in from those pet banks to meet the current exenses of the year; but I am afraid the call will be met y the banks as the spirits met the call to come from the sty deep. I will now present to the House the situation of the ank of the Metropolis, according to its last report made the Senate, dated 3d of February, 1834. It is as fol Statement of the Bank of the Metropolis. Bills and notes discounted, $753,925 27 stock, 10,000 00 181,541 45 25,113 83 39,453 64 114,047 40 Stock of this bank, 204,900 cost, Notes and checks on other banks, Due from banks, 85,728 69 799 90 2,701 64 $685,503 69 Notes in circulation, Stocks of various kinds, 193,464 37 Do post-notes, Real estate, 25,113 83 Do Due to banks, on special deposite, Discount account, 6,875 00 Individual depositors, 47,572 71 15,933 08 248,929 70 Expense account and costs of suits, 3,072 39 $1,213,311 72 By that report it will be seen that $181,541 45 is stock of the Metropolis Bank, which has been taken, the presumption is, in satisfaction of debts due by the stockholders to the bank. That item, then, instead of being a part of the means of the bank to meet its debts, is a substraction from its means; and, Mr. Speaker, it proves two other important facts-it proves that, between directors and stockholders, in a contract made by men who knew 5,776 76 the situation of the bank, the stock sold for about twelve 360,027 47 per cent. below par-for $204,900 sold for $181,541 45. The other fact it proves is this, that, whenever the directors of a bank and stockholders combine, and make arrangements to pay off the debts of the bank by stock, The House will perceive from the report that the pa- they are preparing to break, just as much as a man in the er in circulation, the Government and individual depos- last stages of the consumption, with death staring him in les, amount to $1,061,023 39. This money may be de- the face, makes his will, beginning thus: "I, A. B. being Banded any day. What funds have the bank to meet weak of body, but of sound mind and disposing memory." his demand? $153,997 43 in specie; due from banks, The style of a bank's will, in this situation, would be a 1235,617 34; notes and checks on other banks, $335,166 little different; it would, perhaps, run thus: We, the direc 2; amounting, in the whole, to $724,780 89. How much tors and stockholders of the Bank, knowing that it is will be lost by the debts due from other banks, and notes appointed for this bank to die, and being weak in solidity, and checks on other banks, at this time, cannot be told; but yet we have sound minds and disposing memories, do but as so many banks have failed in this District, the pro- fraudulently and clandestinely, to defeat our just creditors, bability is near one-half. The item of the suspended debt make this secret arrangement of returning the stock back can yield nothing at this time, and, in all probability, to the stockholders, instead of letting it remain as a fund never will yield any thing. The item of real estate can- to pay our just debts, do make, &c. not now be converted into money, scarcely at any price, The item of bills and notes discounted will render the in the embarrassed state of the times; but when we take bank solvent, if it can be called in; but it is a fact well H. OF R.] The General Appropriation Bill. [APRIL 25, 1854 known to all present, that that item cannot yield ten per On this motion Mr. R. M. JOHNSON demanded the cent. annually. The debtors live, I presume, principally yeas and nays; but, on request, withdrew the call, and the in this city; their means are composed of personal pro-question being put, it was carried; yeas 122. perty and houses and lots in the city. Houses and lots, from what I have before stated, can yield very little-that item, I have no doubt, will be subject to an eventual loss of 30 per cent., and cannot yield ten per cent. annually. I have now, Mr. Speaker, gone through what I designed saying in relation to the banks; but, before I take my seat, I must beg to notice some of the other remarks made by the gentleman from New York, [Mr. BEARDSLEY,] and which, as reported in the Intelligencer, are as follows: "And he would not, by his vote, associate it in the same resolution with banks which had stopped payment. He would not thus further the designs of another institution, in behalf of which he had no doubt these banks had, by preconcert, suspended specie payments-a measure which he thought it highly probable they were paid, or to be paid, for adopting." The charges contained in these remarks are of the most gross and flagrant corruptions; and who are included in this sweeping accusation? The presidents and directors of all the banks implicated, a majority of whom, I am bold to say, stand deservedly so high in the opinion and estimation of the nation, that the gentleman who cast this most foul imputation would be proud of shaking them by the hand; in truth, he is indebted to his imagination for every fact upon which he has predicated this bold assertion. There is yet another remarkable passage in the gentleman's speech, which reads in these words: "But the party opposed to the administration had been for these six months past busily and zealously engaged, all over the country, in breaking down the credit of all banking institutions, and laboring to prepare the people for revolution. To bring about revolution had for months past been the ruling motive of the press, and of the party opposed to the administration. He would lend himself to no such design." So the House went again into the Committee of the Whole (Mr. HUBBARD in the chair) on THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL. The question under debate was the item contained n lines 268, 269, and 270, of the bill, as follows: "For ad ditional clerk hire for the year eighteen hundred and thirty-three, thirty-one thousand seven hundred and thirty one dollars and forty-four cents." Mr. LINCOLN, of Massachusetts, rose and addressed the Chair as follows: Mr. Chairman: Fully aware, as I am, of the impatient of gentlemen to get this bill through the committee, it with unaffected embarrassment and distrust that I oppe any obstacle to their progress in the accomplishment o the object. I pray the committee to believe that a sens of public duty, more imperative than any regard to p sonal considerations, constrains me to the humble par which I may take in this discussion. I shall make protestations of a disinclination to embarrass the debate or to create unnecessary delay in its issue; nor will I ge to disclaim intentions to impede the operations of th Government, or vex its administration. Such purpos would be unworthy the position of a Representative this floor, and no one can have a right to impute them Neither will I enter into any stipulations for brevity in remarks, or repeat promises, too often made, to s time, and too little regarded in the very apologies for i consumption. For whatever attention I may receive, shall be grateful, and shall best requite it by avoiding unreasonable claim to indulgence. Certain extraneous circumstances have been forced is to the debate upon this bill, to which it is proper I shoul give a passing notice. When I had last the honor of dressing the committee, upon a preceding clause in th Now, Mr. Speaker, I will leave it to the nation to de-bill, it was my misfortune, surely not an intentional fati cide between us who are in favor of revolutionary move- to have excited a tone of reply equally unexpected an ments. We contend for the constitution and laws to pre- unmerited. Sir, I was greatly misapprehended; and, vail, and for the Government to be administered in its far as the animadversions of gentlemen may reach, I sha true spirit and purity. They contend for new and un-be somewhat injuriously misrepresented. It may ther heard-of powers in the President-high, arrogant, and fore be pardoned in me, if I first attempt to place the bold pretensions in the Executive-for strong royal pre- matters in a proper point of light. I would fain stand w rogatives. We for equality, civil liberty, and the supre- abroad; but I would, at present, more earnestly des macy of the law. We contend for the Whig principles not to be misunderstood in this House. An honorab which made James II. of England abdicate the throne, gentleman, on that occasion, whose attention I bad n and compelled George III. to renounce all claim of alle-ther provoked nor coveted, did me the injustice to chan giance from the people of the United States. The same upon me two or three panic speeches, as he was pleas principles, I trust in God, will make Andrew Jackson cease to believe he is "the Government." I have only one remark more, and that is, that this House should take care of the public money, and be watchful and vigilant to see that it is kept in safe banks. We lost by using State banks, near twenty years ago, about $1,428,000. We shall in all probability lose about $30,000 by the late failure of the banks in this District, which were the depositories of part of the public money; and can any gentleman in this House put his hand on his heart, and say that he believes the public money safe in these State banks, when he recollects that the banks, putting them altogether, have less than four millions of specie, and in this situation are to be the depositories, the present year, of about twenty-five millions of the people's money? memor to term them, on the subject of the bank and the de ites. The charge was alike uncalled for and unfounde It did not occur to me as worth while, at that time, to pel the offensive insinuation which was conveyed in t remark; but now, in my place, I take leave to say th in a period of eight weeks in which I have had the he of a seat here, I have presented but a single and that from my immediate constituents, accompan with such explanations as, within the rule, were perm ted without interruption by the honorable Speaker. have, in a single instance only, addressed myself to attention of the committee, occupying, by their indu gence, some fifteen or twenty minutes of the time of t House; and once I have arisen in my place to ask thei dulgence of the House in permitting me to offer a resol tion for information from one of the Departments, wh Mr. CHILTON followed, but had proceeded but a lit-indulgence I was not so happy as to obtain. Will tle way, when his remarks were cut short by the expira tion of the hour. Mr. POLK moved for the consideration of the appropriation bill. gentleman now say that this was obtrusive? Sir, my fending hath this extent-no more. Another honorable gentleman, on the same occasion saw fit to rebuke what he was pleased to regard as an a tack on the personal character of the Postmaster Genera Mr. POLK moved for the suspension of the rule, to This intention, on my part, was promply disclaime Mr. ADAMS objecting, take it up. PHIL 25, 1834.] With the personal character of that high officer, I nei- themselves. Surely the condition of the minority of this her at that time, nor shall I now, intermeddle; but as I House is sufficiently onerous, without this extraordinary ay have occasion now and then to advert to the Depart-imposition. The burden of proof upon the objectors! best over which he presides, and shall doubtless again It would seem a little more reasonable that those who peak with some degree of freedom of its management ask for, and those who would vote the supplies, should nd condition, I should hope not again to be misunder-show their occasion. But if this be not so; if, indeed, it tood. Whatever, therefore, of reference shall be made were otherwise, it might surely be expected that time him, will have respect to his official conduct. It is no and opportunity should be allowed to maintain the issue, art of my design to render the Postmaster General per- on the part of those upon whom the onus is so singularly onally obnoxious to this House, or to this nation. In the and unexpectedly cast. Yet, what do we witness? From apropitious circumstances of the times, I see nothing of the very moment that the bill was introduced into this ncouragement to such an effort, should it even be suc- Committee of the Whole, a manifestation of impatience, essful. I have no hope of improvement from any change on the part of the majority, to get it through without dehich is likely to be made. In the character or qualifi- bate. And how are the minority treated? Hardly, sir; ations of those most frequently named as competitors for I will not say oppressively and unjustly; but hardly, inhe office, there is, to my mind, little of preference deed. Every motion to amend has been considered as ver the present incumbent. On this subject I take counsel captious. Delay is deprecated. The word is, onward. om the homely adage, that “in looking further, we Upon a motion to rise, an ominous voice comes up from ay fare worse. the very depths of this hall, audible throughout the Another honorable gentleman thought it becoming the committee, crying, "I hope not, sir," and an almost mapportunity to object to my sentiments, that they were in gical response is given to the aspiration, in the accordant ccordance with that course of opposition to measures of vote of the majority. An obstinate and unyielding deapply, which, in a former period in the history of the termination is manifested to force the bill into the House. antry, characterized my predecessors on this floor, and I ask, Mr. Chairman, for what purpose does the House by constituents at home; and to indulge in taunts and resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole? Is it not arcasms on the habits and manners of the people of the that there may be the most free and full discussion of the tate. I did not reply to these remarks then, nor shall I merits of every provision in the bill; that here, and withew, further than to say, that neither my predecessors out restraint by the more formal and rigid course of promy constituents would feel obliged to me, by any ad-cedure applicable to the House, we may prepare and sion of an occasion for their defence against an attack mature, and, as far as may be, perfect this measure of 6 unmanly and illiberal. But, in reference to the allu-legislation for the subsequent sanction of the House? And on made by the honorable gentleman to one of the how has this been proposed to be done? It was the asources of employment and subsistence of the people of tounding declaration of the chairman of the Committee of dassachusetts, I beg leave to say that it will be received Ways and Means, but yesterday, that when he came into y them as cause, least of all, of defence. Let me assure the House the preceding day it was his fixed determinahat honorable gentleman that, if he shall ever do the tion not to leave the hall until he had carried the bill Ancient Bay State" the honor of a visit, the proudest of through, (taking it up almost from its very beginning,) er sons will rejoice in the opportunity to take him by and had it reported to the House. And the subsequent . be hand, and, conducting him to the hall of her House experience which we suffered, in an uninterrupted ses1 Representatives, exhibit to him there, conspicuously |sion of nine hours, was doubtless in execution of this highisplayed, even over the chair of the Speaker, the em-handed predetermination. Sir, it should be known to the dem of the industry, and frugality, and enterprise of her country, and, as far as my voice can reach, it shall be itizens, in the ill-selected object of his wit-the image of made known, that, on a measure of the first and highest fish. Mr. Chairman, the people of Massachusetts are importance to the interests of this nation, the passage of at ashamed of their occupations or their manner of living. an appropriation bill, authorizing the disbursement of Dey are as adventurous, at least, as they are economical. millions of the public money, and embracing provisions their fisheries are no less a source of national wealth which involve principles of high constitutional moment, han of individual benefit. Does the honorable gentle-as well as of expediency and the soundest discretion, it an needs be told that her hardy sons have vexed every was contemplated to preclude discussion by a direct proby their daring enterprise, pursuing, with line and ace, the tenants of the deep, from the Atlantic shores to be arctic regions? Does he not know that the fishejes of Massachusetts were the only nurseries of our seajen, those gallant men who have carried your flag in iumph among the nations, and made the very name of America glorious? Let the gentleman in future, then, pare himself such gratuitous allusions. Reflections upon ectional occupations are always in bad taste; and, if for other reason, had better never be indulged. This much I have thought was required of me, on this first opportunity of obtaining the floor since I was so severely attacked, in reply to the personal remarks which, no sparing measure, were directed towards me. cess of coercion over the physical powers of the minority. There are, indeed, as we have seen, more modes than one of applying violence to the business of legislation: the previous question, laying on the table, and exhaustion by fatigue. Abstinence, also, from food and sleep, if long enough continued, will silence speech. Sir, I admonish the chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means not to repeat this "experiment." If the minority must submit to it, their constituents may not. Such a course of procedure, in a matter of personal concern, by one having the power to enforce it, would render void a civil contract. It is nothing short of duresse and of imprisonment. The bill may not be disposed of this day, perhaps not even this week, with the utmost faithfulness and diligence. There are grave questions growing out of its proposed appropriations, which are yet to be deliberately considered: the clause now before the committee; the appropriations for ministers to foreign courts, to which, if no "For additional clerk hire for the year one thousand one else shall offer an amendment, I shall feel it a duty ght hundred and thirty-three, thirty-one thousand seven (deferring, however, to any gentleman who will move it) undred and thirty-one dollars and forty-four cents." to propose a limitation of the application of the money to The honorable chairman of the Committee of Ways the payment of the salaries of such ministers only as have and Means has said that those who are opposed to the been, or may be, appointed pursuant to the constitution, grant of an appropriation have the burden of proof upon by the nomination of the President, with the confirmation I now move, sir, to amend the bill under consideration, striking out the clause which was last read. That clause relates to the Post Office Department, and is in the following words: H. OF R.] The General Appropriation Bill. [APRIL 25, 1834 of the Senate of the United States, except in case of a clerks, Congress was called upon to pass a law for the vacancy which may happen during the recess of that body. purpose. So it was in 1818, 1824, 1827, and 182% I may also find it necessary, as I have on another occasion But not so is it in this era of reform, and strict construc intimated, to offer, in the proper time and place, an tion of delegated powers. The Postmaster General may, amendment, to secure the deposites of the public money, at one sweep, displace old and faithful and efficient of for the payment of these appropriations, in the Bank of cers, to make room for inexperienced, unprofitable, and the United States. Let us proceed, then, calmly and dis- subservient dependants; and thus create an occasion fo passionately, in the discharge of our duties. On all these two-fold the legalized number. He obtains from Co subjects there may be, it is manifest there must be, dis-gress an appropriation according to the provisions of law cussion, more or less extended. Does the honorable and, increasing the expense two-fold, without consultin chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means again de- Congress, claims to be indemnified by a grant to mak mand of me whether I speak for my friends as well as for up the deficiency. Of what avail is legislation upon t myself? I reply in the manner of my respected colleague, subject, under the practice which is now sought to b [Mr. ADAMS,] to whom the chairman made the singular sanctioned by this committee? Is it not, in truth, proposition the other evening of consenting that the mockery, that laws should be referred to, when the " committee should rise, upon condition that my colleague strictions they impose are utterly disregarded? Th would enter into recognizance for the good behavior of his very claim of the Department is in derision of the auth friends on the coming day: It was a proposition only, rity of Congress. We are gravely pointed to the law not a "bargain." It would have been the latter if my 1818, and to subsequent statutes, as the foundation fa colleague had assented to it. He answered, however, the estimate of appropriations for clerical expenses in t that he was not the keeper of his friends. Neither was I office of the Postmaster General; while nearly one-ha authorized to give pledges for others. There is little oc- the aggregate of those expenses rests upon no estimat casion for concert and combination between those who is incurred without law, and comes only to the know have but a single object in the execution of a public trust. ledge of Congress in the shape of a demand for its ren Theirs is a direct and obvious path, in which intelligence bursement. and integrity impel their efforts to produce the same result, in the promotion of the public interests, and the protection of the people's rights. If additional clerks were wanted in the Department, wh was not the occasion communicated to Congress? W it less necessary in 1833 to seek authority for the app The appropriation proposed in the clause of the bill, ment of some twenty or thirty clerks, than it was in t which I ask to have stricken out, is objectionable on two year 1828, for instance, to obtain that authority for th grounds: Ist. Because the expense it is intended to re-appointment of five? The case presents this extrace imburse to the Post Office Department, in the employ-nary aspect: the law limits the number of clerks; th ment of extra clerks, the last year, was unauthorized by Postmaster General, the officer of law, makes the law; and 2dly. Because it was wholly, or in a great pro- ber illimitable. Congress appropriates a sum certain portion, unnecessary. the payment of clerk hire; the Postmaster General, win The appropriation bill of the year 1833 made provi- out regard to the appropriation, makes the expense in sion for the pay of all the clerks whose employment had certain, by an indefinite amount of extra services. Th been previously authorized by Congress. Upon recur- incident becomes greater than the principal matter. I rence to that bill, it will be seen that the sum of $41,100 other times, and under the administration of the sam was appropriated for the payment of clerk hire in the Department by different men, it required the warra Post Office Department. A further recurrence to the of law to create a single clerkship; now, the discrets Treasury estimate of that year will also show that the or the pleasure of the Postmaster General may cons compensation to all the officers in the Department was tute them by fifties. Formerly, an appropriation proposed in strict conformity to the existing provisions of necessary to justify an expenditure; but now, charg law in reference to the creation of their respective offi- are first incurred, and appropriations are sure to folks ces. The aggregate of the estimate was $52,100. De- We are now, even here, engaged in playing the mere duct from this amount the salary of $6,000 for the Post- farce. Why debate an appropriation bill? Why a master General, and $5,000 for two Assistant Postmasters the whole number of clerks whom the Postmaster Ges General, and the remainder is the exact sum of the ap-ral shall see fit to appoint, be as well provided for w propriation for clerks by the bill of 1833, viz: $41,100. out a specific grant? If he may incur an expense t It is to be remarked, also, that the estimate makes di- ceeding $31,000, without the previous authority of Co rect reference to the acts of Congress, under which, at gress, why may he not the whole sum of the charges of different periods, and from time to time, as the increase Department? It seems worse than idle specially to a of business in the Department required, the number of propriate $41,100, and leave him at liberty to s clerks were authorized. Thus, "clerks per act of 20th the tax upon the treasury to nearly double that amou April, 1818; clerks per act of 26th May, 1824; clerks Is it the intention of gentlemen in this House--of per act of 2d March, 1827; clerks per act of 24th May, Committee of Ways and Means more especially 1828." Both the estimate and the appropriation were sanction this extraordinary and irresponsible exercise thus restrained by relation to the several acts which au- patronage and power? If so, let them come forward thorized and limited the number of clerks in the Depart- boldly avow it, and it will then no longer be matter ment. By what authority, then, does the Postmaster argument. General increase this number two-fold, and augment the But the present bill makes no prospective provision expense of clerk hire (by an extra charge of more than compensation for clerk hire in the Department the ca $31,000, now sought to be provided for by a clause in rent year, beyond the amount appropriated the last yea the present bill,) from $41,100 to $72,831 44? Will Yet we are told that the deficiency for that year was Congress permit, in this indirect manner, the creation of than $31,000. Will less clerical service be required, new offices, upon the sole responsibility, and in the pleas- fewer clerks employed hereafter than heretofore! ure alone of the chief of a Department? By the mere will otherwise, wherefore comes it, that, with the experien of the Postmaster General, more clerkships have been of the past, an adequate sum is not proposed for the f constituted in a single year, than by all preceding acts of ture? Why make an appropriation of but $41,100 whe legislation on the subject. it has been made apparent that $72,831 44 is again to Heretofore, whenever it had been found necessary in expended? Is it to conceal from this House and the p the business of the Department to increase the number of ple the enormous and unmitigated expenses of a proving Department? Whatever is to be the cost, let it be fairly understood, not covertly and disingenuously encourage a elusive expectation that a given sum will suffice, which xperience has already shown, is, by almost double the mount, to be exceeded. As a striking illustration of the in warrantable excess of expenditure, and the utter disegard of the authority of law, I have only to refer to that uthentic record of departmental abominations, "the lue Book," so called. It there distinctly appears that ere are five assistants to the messengers, when, by law, ad the very last appropriation bill, provision is made but two; and in the same unauthorized manner, though 180mewhat a less proportion, have the number of clerks cen increased. [H. of R. case, whenever occasion rendered it proper to pass a law authorizing an additional number? Mr. Chairman, it is quite time that the concerns of this Department were more strictly inquired into, and its management severely scrutinized. It is the foulest spot, as I verily believe, in an unfaithful, corrupt, and corrupting administration of the Government. It is the Augean stable which, with Herculean labor, must be cleansed and purified. If gentlemen to whom is assigned the unenviable task of defending the Department will not afford the information which, doubtless, themselves possess, in relation to its affairs, they must not complain, even should there be some misapprehension in respect to the manner of its conduct. Those who are less fortunate in the means of intelligence must proceed with such lights as are allowed to them. I proceed now to show that the expense for extra berk hire, sought to be reimbursed to the Department rough the instrumentality of this bill, was altogether, It appears, then, from the "Blue Book," that no less in a great degree, unnecessary, and uncalled for by than ninety-two persons, including the Postmaster Geny corresponding increase of business. I say reimbursed, eral, two assistants, a treasurer, and a general agent, cause it is not to be pretended that the clerks are, to are employed in the Department, at an annual charge of is moment, without compensation for their services in $88,540. Of these, seventy-five are clerks, six messene year 1833. They have doubtless long since received gers, two watchmen, and four agents. By the Register eir stipulated wages. The Postmaster General, from of Officers for the year 1827, it will be seen that there ose ample resources of a revenue of two and a half mil- were, at that time, but thirty-nine persons in all attached as of dollars annually, or from the loans he has nego-to the Department, at an annual charge of $47,200. Of ted with the banks, his over-drafts, or anticipations of these, thirty-three were clerks, one messenger, and two revenue of the present year, has satisfied the claims assistants. In the year 1828, Congress authorized the these pensioners upon his official liberality. The ob- addition of five more clerks; and these, with the thirtyet, I repeat it, of the present appropriation is to reim-nine persons before mentioned, are the whole number, rse the Department the money which has thus been it is believed, out of the ninety-two now employed, Ivanced. Let no one suppose it is to pay the faithful, which are warranted by law, the residue having been d-laboring clerk. The advancement has been made; appointed upon the sole, uncontrolled, and, as it now id when the Postmaster General shall show a justifica- seems to be held by some gentlemen on this floor, irrein for the expenditure, either by law, or in the exigen- sponsible and unlimited discretion and pleasure of the es of his office, I will be the last to oppose its being re- head of the Department. It might not be impertinent nded. Mr. Chairman, it is to be regretted that, in re- to inquire, before passing the appropriation, how this Sion to this Department, the minority of this House, tribe of subordinates are employed. In the days of the son whom the chairman of the Committee of Ways and predecessor of the present Postmaster General, and while gans would cast the onus probandi, are left to grope in the business of the office was undergoing a course of syse dark. Whatever may be the knowledge of others, tematic arrangement, and the facilities to communication linformation is denied to us. A resolution which I felt were developing and being greatly extended, that distinmy duty to offer a few days since, asking only for a guished officer, to whom the country is under lasting obmmunication of facts in relation to the number of clerks ligations for the efficiency, punctuality, and certainty the Department, their assigned and appropriate duties given to mail transportation, was content with the numd employments, and the fund from which they had re- ber of clerks assigned to his Department by law. This ived their pay, has met with no favor in this House. I number, as appears by the Register, never exceeded F, sir, that this most important information, essential to thirty-eight. There might have been some excess of exintelligent discussion of the subject before the com- pense for extra service; but, if so, it was casual and inittee, and interesting to the whole people, is withheld, considerable. Whence comes it that more than twice the reasonably withheld, as I must think, from us. number of officers are now found necessary? It may well In the absence of the best evidence, therefore, we are be admitted that the operations of the Department are mpelled to resort to secondary proof. I rely, then, in very greatly extended; but, with the preservation of pport of the position that the number of clerks in the method and orderly arrangement, this need not occasion st Office Department, in the year 1833, was unneces- a corresponding increase of clerkships. If the same sysry, upon the fact that no authority was asked by the tem of regulation and accountability is continued, the adepartment, or given by Congress, for their employment. ditional labor would, in a great degree, consist in causing pon reference to the appropriation bill for that year, it a few more entries in the same set of books, filling a few all be perceived that there was a provision for the pay- more blank forms of proposals and contracts, and followjent of extra clerk-hire in the preceding years 1831 and ing out more extensively a like course of duties, conform$32. But neither the Treasury estimate, nor the ap-ing to the enlarged scope of similar operations. It cannot ropriation bill for 1833, furnish the slightest suggestion seriously be pretended that, for an increase to double the hat any such cause of expense was to continue. The extent of former post routes and number of post offices, sumate for clerk-bire in the Department, in the latter an addition of one-fourth the number of clerks could ear, was but 41,100 dollars; and this sum was all that have been required. Does the merchant who adds to ras appropriated. Let the honorable chairman of the his capital in trade find it necessary to multiply, in the ommittee of Ways and Means, in his ingenuity, and de- same proportion, the clerks in his counting-house? A cted fidelity to the administration, assign a reason for given number are necessary to his well-regulated order ach an estimate and appropriation, if it had been antici- of business. Each has his assigned department of serated that the proposed sum was to be, nearly to an equal vice; and, although the capital may be increased a hunmount, exceeded. And wherefore is it, if so great a dred per cent., there may be but little additional labor in umber of clerks had oecome necessary, Congress was its management. Before the committee shall agree to an ut called upon, either by a committee of this House, or appropriation of more than 70,000 dollars for clerk-hire by the Department itself, as had always before been the only, for a single year, in this Department, let them be |