Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-05-05


As itwOuld be often iaconveni-nt. and
sometimes ,mpracticabie, for the Secreta-
~ OF the Navy 10 meet the Board OF Com
as their presiding officer.
WITHOUT negleciing other aud more i'm
por'ant dulles, and rs the Secretary is, by
'le aior' SAID net, already vested with n
supervising aud controlling power Of the
acts aud proceedings OF the Board of
the committee do NOT
perceive the necessity of such n m0diti.
cation ~ The said aci as is coptemplate,
by the first inquiry directed by the reso
luton, or that The public service woulc
be benefited thereby.
The COMMITTEE are the more disposed q
tins OPINION from The consideration thar
The limits o' Jurisdiction between iii
Secretary an i.c Board seem TO be per
tecily understood" by each, and that M
conflicting claims exist between them on
this subject.
lhecomuitiee are not advised whether
The resoiuli"n cou,emplaies the Secretary
10 be constituent part OF the Beard and
~ The same time possessed of The con-
tro ana superintendent of its procep-
dings, or merely the presiding officer,
Win "A casting vote. In the latter ease.
the benefit 10 br derived from the snpe,
W ottC DNSE
under distinct responsibilities, az we'll AS
The circnmspection naturally resulting
from such responsibility, would be tu,irs-
~ lost. In the former case iiir Commits
sioners wouli be lille more than advise.
ry, and, IN that proportion, bereii Of
responsibility.
In relation to The second ENQUIRY di.
recied by the resolution, viz "ot so linn
ting the tenor of the members of the
boaid OF commissioners, az TO secure
Tile accommodating experience and talents
OF our naval commanders in that depari-
ment, by perIotlical rotation in Office"
the committee beg leave 10 remark, that
HE duty nj the Commissioners OF Tie Ma
w Board are not merely such as apppr.
tain To me,r naval officer, but extend
10 Other ami important subjects, with
which such officers csmuot be supposed
to be familiarly acguaiuied they rylaie
not only To the contracting for, and pro-
curement al, all ariicl les necessary Tor The
armament, equipment, and provisioning
OF The pubic ships, but also To the cone
STRUGGLING and repairing OF those ships. To
eheciua'e which ohjecis, ia lie cheapest
anu best manner, rtuuueS a tult know
ledge not only of places al which mate
rails apd every thing ureitni for these
purposes, can most advaMisgeohsly be
procured, bni also with persons in differ.
en- sections OF 'iie country, with whom,
they can, with the greatest reliance make
their CONTRACTS. The investigation of,l. h.
committee has led thea, 10 the cou.lusio,
That loo much time has not ct been ~
lowed to The present Commissioners. !.
obtain that intelligence aud rxperienc,
winch l. most desirable 10 the most al
Vau'ageous discharge OF these du,i.s an
To perfect such ~ siem in their depart
ment, as will unfold 10 their successot
all III" advantages Of their iabors. Nhic
IN The estimation at the committee j,a>
been such As are honorable In themselves
and highly beneficial TO tie public IN
terrSt.
he committee would only add, that
periodical rotation IN once, irom piy
IN number, would preclude choice
Such rotation, INSTEAD OF Securing tb..
accommodating experience and ialenIs ot
our naval commanders" might possibly
endaHSrr llrV Board with qualiiicatio,.S
opposite from those intended.
Under these impressions the committed
are OF opinion, thai although uccasienaIl
changes IN the Beard OF Commissioners
may, and probably would be productive
81 phblic benefit, yet HAT these chan
ges may with safety be lett 10 HE discre
non OF lie Executive; and therefore. il,I
II Is lncxpedient,a this time, TO make am
mnn.hca'ion oi iins act under which III
sd'u board oil Conu.issIoners is esiaLiisA
ed.
The table @!
a motion was made by Mr.. RoJek,.
mat HE committee 10 which ia rei.r,,.
The r. soluiion from HE Senate tixi,,g,
period Tor the termination of the prespn
session of Congress, be discharppd from
the further c0mSid, ration thereof Am
the question bripg taken thereon. il wa
decihtdin The atiirmaiiye.
The House hcn,prOcerdad la coneid.
tie SAID resolution; when aiiey ,ar;o,f
motions Mr.. Dd|f,cin moved that there
soiu'lOh be committed 10 The select con
hllIce Who baVP been Ibis day discLa,o
eu from lis luther consideration
upon iiIs motion and those wbic
preceded ", there was great deal
debate, on The points, fiist, whP,h,
the business necessary 10 be don
could be Transacted by MONDAY nrx,
and, secondly, whether the fixjng a d. 4
i9r HE adjournment Of Congress woul u
nave Il tendency Ia accrIprair lie mr.,
gross OF pubic business. The IaI,,
POM was generally conceded: but n 81.
discussion endtd IN the mo,,on helm
postponed 10 Wednesday. on mo,ion
Mr.. RofraeS, on Tie ground thai in n.
Ineau lime such information might be !,
possesslUn Oi Members as would EMAIL
them to decide moTe undprstandiDpi,
on The day az which il would BIZ praciica
Die, with d Que regard 10 The pubic in
ieresi, 10 ahjouri4.
District BaaS.--Thc IIeuse then prc-
cerhed to the unfinished business. Nh,
hrsi subject ~ order, WAS motion, n,adr
or SaiTrda' last, 10 reconsider he vol
whereby The amendment Of the Senate 4.