Charges having been preferred against the colIf the Secretary refuses to act, or acts imlector of the port of Wiscasset, by John Mcproperly, then, and not until then, this House Clintock, a citizen of the State of Maine, and may act. Sir, let us see how this principle the question being, shall this House proceed will operate. An humble and plain citizen,500 to investigate these charges, or shall they be or 600 miles from the seat of Government, knows of dishonest practices on the part of a referred to the decision of the Secretary of public officer. According to this new doctrine, the Treasury? he must not go to his immediate representative, Mr. ALLAN, of Kentucky, said, Mr. SPEAK- but he must come on to Washington, and first ER, the gentleman from North Carolina, (Mr. apply to the head of the Departments, and if he SPEIGHT,) has denounced this proceeding, in be not satisfied with the decision, he may then the fashionable language of the times, as being appeal to Congress. Here the business has an attack upon the present administration. Of very much grown on his hands; before he can late a new criterion is established by which the be heard here, he must first convict the Secremerits not only of men but of measures are de-tary of having violated his duty; he must entermined. When the courts decide causes ac- counter the whole weight and power and incording to their sense of justice and the laws of fluence of the Executive Government, before the land, they are severely censured for aiming he can come into this House. Who, Sir, would blows at a particular individual. The resolves be foolish enough, under such circumstances, of the national Senate are placed under con- to prosecute a favorite officer of the Governdemnation because it is asserted they are co-ment? Such a practice would be a surrender vert attacks on men in power. of the power of the House. It would erect a

If the people petition Congress to establish a secret irresponsible authority between the peonational bank, their petitions are represented ple and their representatives, inconsistent with to be false clamours, and the measure as a po- the genious of our Government, and hostile to litical movement, intended to benefit or injure the interests of the public. the election of some aspirant to office.

It is one of the attributes of power to make When the people present a request to us to unceasing efforts to widen the sphere of its domake inquiry into the conduct of one of their minion; and the people in all ages have lost own officers, it is construed into an offence their liberty by yielding to these efforts; they against the President. The question is no have surrendered one portion of their autho longer are measures right or wrong? Will they rity after another, to please favorites, until they benefit or injure the people? But the sole in- had none left with themselves. quiry seems to be, how will the decision of Here we have a grave charge exhibited by questions effect the election of great men? an American citizen against a public officer; all We are rapidly advancing to the point where, sides admit there ought to be a trial. The prinforgetful alike of the requirements of the Con- ciple involved in this discussion is this, shall the stitution and the interests of the people, our people of this Republic have a right to arraign Government will be administered solely on their own officers for misconduct, before their mere personal consideration, for the benefit of own immediate Representatives, or must they the governors and not for the benefit of the go- look to the heads of the Executive Departverned. ments for a redress of their grievances?

In my place here, as a representative of the Sir, let us proceed upon principle to examine people, my course shall not be controlled or in- the two tribunals held out to the nation in this fluenced either by a desire to injure or benefit debate, with a view to determine which is the any man. No matter who may be in power or proper one to do justice to the accused officer! out of power, the Government ought to be ad- as well as to the accuser, and to the people. ministered on fixed principles, not with a view When the trial is before this House, charges to put up or put down political men; but sole-are plainly made in writing; the accused has no ly and exclusively for the interest and prosperi- tice, comes forward in the open face of day, ty of the people. This is the people's Govern- meets his accuser and the witnesses face to face, having full power to cross-examine the witOf the facts in the case under consideration, I nesses against him; both parties are fully heard. know nothing. With the individuals referred If the officer should be acquitted by a trial to in this proceeding I am wholly unacquainted, thus conducted, he is restored to character, and and so far feel no particular interest. But the to the public confidence, and if he should be novel and anti-republican doctrines which have condemned, the example has a most salutary been boldly advanced on this occasion deserves tendency to deter the vicious from similar of some notice. An officer of your Government fences, and to maintain in purity the adminis stands charged with high crimes and misde- tration of the laws.