Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Speaker, I recognize the power of Congress to enact such a law as that to which the gentleman has referred. I recognize, too, the wisdom and propriety of such a measure. I do not, however, think that there is anything in the general language of the section under consideration which 3. interfere in any way with that act. It would, at all events by implication, authorize the POTUS, with the concurrence of the Senate, to remove officers in the military and naval service. And I take it the power would be very safely lodged there, if they thought proper to exercise it.. So that I do not regard this section as interfering at all with the act referred to, which is in many respects a very proper enactment. ow, sir, with regardofo the amendment of the Gentfrom Iowa, which is to insert, I believe, in the 4th or 5th line an exception so as to provide that the clause shall not apply to cases of impeachments and convictions, or shall not be understood to take away the power in those cases, all I have to say is that such a provision is altogether unnecessary; because that power being secured by the Constitution we could not legislate it away even if we desired to do so. I would not object, however, to inserting in the 5th line the words, “on impeachment and conviction, ” which would effect the same object though not by the use of the same language. The next suggestion of my friendfrom Iowa is to strike out the words “on the recommendation of the AttyGen, ” and leave the question to the heads of the Depts in which these officers respectively may be. I have no objection to this modification. I rather think it would be an improvement. The last amendment suggested by the gentleman is a provision that this act shall not apply to the removal and appointment of the heads of the several Depts. I cannot of course assent to this amendment; for it would destroy the very essence of the bill. We aim to make the heads of these Depts, so far as practicable, independent of the Executive. We propose that these officers shall not hereafter hold their positions, as they have held them heretofore, at the mere will of the President; that their official lives shall not depend upon the mere breath of the executive. We hold that such a tenure of office does not accord with the principles of republican government. One of our objects is to take away from the President and with the heads of Depts, where it would seem appropriate to place it, the appointment of the inferior officers of the Government. Unless, however, the heads of Depts are to be made practically independent of Executive, the it would be idle to resort to any enactment of this sort; it would serve no practical purpose. Hence I cannot consent to the gentleman's amendment without sacri ficing the very essence of the bill. One word more. I suggested, Mr. Speaker, some amendments to the E as originally submitted by the committee. I am not sufficiently conversant with the rules to know whether they were accepted as modifications or whether it is necessary that a vote shall be taken upon them.