Mr. DOOLITTLE. I agree with very much that has been said by the honorable Senfrom California [Mr. MCDoug ALL] in relation to the tenure by which the executive offices of the Government are held. I had occasion to look into it when examining into the adminis tration of Indian affairs in British America. I found that one of the great superiorities of the system of the British administration of Indian affairs grew out of the fact that the agents and employees of the Government connected with the administration of Indian affairs substantially held their places for life. A person would be employed at a small salary, but with the implied understanding that holdin the office during good behavior, if he serve the Government faithfully 20 or 25 years in this office, made it a life business, a profession, when he became old, he should not be thrust out impoverished to die, but should have a small pension upon which to retire. I attribute to a very great extent the superiority of the administration of Indian affairs in the British Provinces to that fact. I have no doubt that in all the Depts of the Government, if all the Depts were thoroughly organized upon a system by which competent young men should be introduced into the Depts at a small salary to begin with, not exceeding $600, $800, or $1,000 a year, gradually increasing the amount of compensation, which they should receive in proportion to their term of service, with the understanding that they should hold these places during good behavior, it would do more than all other things to improve the administration of our affairs. But, Mr. President, I do not intend to take up the time of the Senate in the discussion of this question. I am not prepared now to make a speech upon it, and I have no purpose to do so. I will simply make this remark, in reference to the change of men holding the offices of the Government: if the Executive for political reasons makes a change, you may say that the power can be abused; so, too, if the Senate for political reasons reject the confirmation, that power can be abused also. It is a power which can be abused by either dept of the Government, either the executive or the Senate. We know what the history and practice of the Government has been; that as a general thing removals are made for political reasons, based upon political considerations, and in the midst of political conflicts gentlemen should have that regard for others to suppose that they have just as conscientious motives and patriotic motives to control their conduct as they claim for themselves. As to what was said by the Senfrom California [Mr. CoxNess] a short time ago in relation to the Philadelphia convention and the course pursued by certain gentlemen who had been identified with the Republican party d.u.ri.nig.the great war through which we have I have only to say that while the Senfrom California may challenge for himself the purest and most patriotic motives, the motives of those gentlemen who had to do with that movement were as high and as pure as his. They claim that for themselves, they claim nothing more. In relation to the questions which were then pending I shall not enter into their discussion now. There will be other occasions more appropriate for their discussion; but when that discussion does come, I think f shall be prepared to show and to demonstrate to any man who will look upon the facts of history that the course pursued, so far as the policy of the Administration is concerned upon the subject of reconstruction, was precisely the policy which was adopted by President Lincoln, the policy which was adopted by the convention in 1864 which renominated him for the Presidency, the policy which from the beginning was the policy of the Republican party, but from which policy they have departed within the last 18 months. But, sir, I shall not go into the discussion of it now. I simply rose to say that while the Senfrom California can ask for himself and challenge for himself the considerations which are due to just, patriotic motives on his part, other gentlemen have a right to ask the same consideration for the patriotism and purity of the motives which have controlled them in their course of action.