because the attorney-general "more than made up to himself the amount of compensation received by the others [i.e., the heads of departments] who were confined to their offices. . ."[1] According to the views of one senator, to permit the attorney-general to engage in private practice was a legitimate and even a desirable way of aiding him in his equipment for performing well his official duties.[2]
Although the bill failed, through Webster's efforts a plan was finally matured, formulated and enacted into law whereby a new official, known as solicitor of the treasury, was created for the special purpose of aiding the attorney-general in suits pertaining to treasury claims. And for the additional responsibility involved in the new relationship, the salary of the attorney-general was raised to four thousand dollars—an amount at which it remained until 1853.[3]
That President Jackson was dissatisfied with such a compromise measure is clear enough from certain remarks in his second message of December 6, 1830. However useful in itself the provision for a solicitor of the treasury might be, it was not, according to the President,
calculated to supersede the necessity of extending the duties and powers of the Attorney-General's Office. On the contrary, I am convinced that the public interest would be greatly promoted by giving to that officer the general superintendence of the various law agents of the Government, and of all law proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which the United States may be interested, allowing him at the same time such a compensation as would enable him to devote his undivided attention to the public business. . .[4]
It is probable that Jackson never again expressed himself in print after 1830 regarding reform in the office of attorney-
- ↑ Register of Debates, op. cit., p. 324.
- ↑ Ibid., page 323
- ↑ 4 Statutes at Large, ch. cliii, sec. 10. "And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the attorney general. at the request of said solicitor, to advise with and direct the said solicitor as to the manner of conducting the suits, proceedings, and prosecutions aforesaid; and the attorney general shall receive in addition to his present salary, the sum of five hundred dollars per annum." May 29, 1830.
- ↑ Richardson, Messages and Papers, vol. ii, page 527.
