300 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS what followed, Jackson had the zealous co-opera tion of Kendall and Blair. In May, McLane was transferred to the state department, and was suc ceeded in the treasury by William J. Duane, of Pennsylvania. The new secretary, however, was convinced that the removal was neither necessary nor wise, and, in spite of the president s utmost efforts, refused either to issue the order or to re sign his office. In September, accordingly, Duane was removed, and Roger B. Taney was appointed in his place. Taney at once ordered that after October 1 the public revenues should no longer be deposited with the national bank, but with sundry state banks, which soon came to be known as the "pet banks." Jackson alleged, as one chief reason for this proceeding, that, if the bank were to con tinue to receive public revenues on deposit, it would unscrupulously use them in buying up all the mem bers of congress and thus securing an indefinite renewal of its charter. This, he thought, would be a death-blow to free government in America. His action caused intense excitement and some com mercial distress, and prepared the way for further disturbance. In the next session of the senate Clay introduced a resolution of censure, which was carried after a debate which lasted all winter. It contained a declaration that the president had assumed "au thority and power not conferred by the constitu-
