Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-02
VOL. XIII. NO. II.

winch an American platoon officer failed TO 10 his
DUTY deserted his post, or di -graced himself t.,
misconduct IN action. The additional compeasa,
non which this bill contemplates, was small in
ITS amount; it was but about two hundred dollar.
out 10 those who now suffered under the scantipes.
OF their pay, 1t would be like - the gentle derv
from heaven To allude once more 10 The re-.
marks Oh the gentleman from Maine, who he was
sorry 10 perceive was at first against the till but
whom he hoped would be for it. This bin
was not an entering wedge"-for already Con-
gress had increased the pay of the subanern Off
GERS; and now the relief of the Captains wa. con-
iemllaied True, it might be said, tina, anon. thew
should be asked for increased con pensation o the
higher oiiicers Blu, he could not think il inst
mus 10 ninSe the necessities the rewards of one,
Glass; with those of another. For his own part,
lie piaceu each upon it, own separate basis, and
was willing TO judge of each without referring 10
the o'her-and so, he hoped, the Senate would
decide.
Mr.. Chandler observed, that, as the gentleman
had shown him that thi. bill was not an en,ering
weage, perhaps he might with propriety call il a
I"ilowlhS wedge. He bad no doubt that since
Congress had SO thoroughly commenced this plan.
they should find themselves involved in the neces-
shy OF increasing the pay of the whole Army
There were many brevet officers in the Army. sna
1t tins system was established, the Captsjn ,youl4
be disposed of, so that the Lieutanant could take
his situation and his paw
MI HARRISON said, in reply, that the gentleman
was mistake.. The brevet officers dill moi ,eeeiy.
an increase of pay hrevet Major General IAN
ing the place OF General Brown, would receive an
increase but not when commanding post The
compensation of Captain in most Europea, sst.
vices, was TAR more lucrative than in this county
In England, and in France, their pay was MUCH
greater tut not in Germany. The paw of uriv,taR
IN the English service, worse, and thai Of ofii
GERS much higher. than in ours. Although there
was no wish to make the pay of officer in hi.
country equal TO that in Others, set he Considered
them entitled TO compensation comme4s urate
with their services, and he doubted not it would be
granted them.
Mr.. Macon said, the pay Of one class of Officers
had been raised and now it was proposed 10 rails,
me pay oil Others to put them on an equal foo,inp
But, said Mr. NJ. if this is reason for this bill
reduce the pay of those that have been raised. and
the object will be gained quite as well. Look a,
the condition OF the country. Is it prosperous?
l. the Treasury so full to Justify an increase nj
expenditure? Are the People able to bear more
expenses! No, many not. They NAV be. in
some parts OF the country, where the land is more
fertile; but II is not so all over the Union t.
pears 10 me, that the condition of the country re-
quires pruning OF The expenditures OF the Govern
ent' rather than an increase OF it. Does The price
OF produce bear any thing like enough 10 enable
even The People who are good livers to sssre sny
thing: In my part Of the country it is not %. IN
agricultural pursuits, IL scarcely pays the expense
oI cultivation; and when we take into view the
restrictions on The West India Trade, we cannot
imagine that this state Of things will be improved
we DO one thinSio increase expense, and hen thai
is urged as reason for another increase | dom,
mean IN find fault with what has been done Ger
tain sorts OF labor, in certain parts of The country
may bear this; but the People at large cannot Are
the People clearer of debt? Is every man able 10
pay as he goes, and have money 10 spare? have
no fear OF taxes, sir; because, if we want money
know we shall resort TO loans Perhaps we ought
10 give the oihcefs something more 10 buy clothes
as we have taxed the materials for clothing and so
far made them higher TO the Officer Last ses
SION, 1t WIS said, the great difficulty in our Army
was dsserIlon. We told every year of the
perfection of military establishment. and We.
every session we want something to remedy some
defect or some dihculty. Under his view Of tic
subject Mr. NJ. said ne was opposed to the bill
Mr. Smith said, that, having been Captain IN
the Army himself, he had from that cause, per
haPs, some fellow feeling for these officers The
| Captains received the same pay now as thew ,if
when he was one. Men could then live, and i've
well, on 'wo-thirds OF whai they could now. 1hsv
ask Tor some little addition TO relieve them fron,
want. Even the amount proposed by this bin.
will not give them more than about 1872 dollars
year; les than is given to the servants of
this House. The Officers of the ARMY mus,
clothe themselSe in tie garb and exhibit the an
pearance OF gentlemen, on this small allow ance
! What will the addition be to The PEOPLE of The
country! Not the tenth part OF a cent to each
man in It, Yet this little increase will add soma
thing 10 lie comfort OF the officer, and aG.rd /,
little aid in support of his family. If the battle.
OF the country 10 lie fought these men are re.
dy to sacrifice their lives ia its defence. The,
ask for little addition TO heir pittance 10 m.Es
them comfortable in tire OF peace; and. TOR
my part, SAID MIR. s., for one cannot refuse n
10 them.
Mr. Macon observed that lie gentleman Gou.
Maryland was Captain in 1777, aud b. .yau,l
recollecl that money then was worth T., o 'er gp.
captains pay then not worth ali what b
was now. in the year 1855, the continental lad
/ IN fact, so deprecated, that il s. az worth ltt n
ihcusand Tor one. and a captains pay no,
worth hall dollar OF good money. MIR. kf. ha5
no doubi many men had rather take an o3ic, a,
It's present pay than TO work. He did moi rrs,,,
to say any thing against the officers. He he'd ro
doubt they were good men; and he thought tl.s .,-
wants OF This House ought not TO have a. inu,f I'd.
the officers; but still the officers mag receiy, g.
housh, although the servants OF the Hou.e ,ti
more BIT ! look, sad Air NJ. at the condition
OF he country, and am sue ths will not bear an
increase Of expense.
Aier some further conversation between t,r
Woodbury. and MIR. Harrison, in which ibe foYr.e.
stated bis opinion that the additional ration tt.,
10 be given, as additional pay expressly. as II ~,
IN fact, ADD cassed In the Dill accordingly.
Tie question was takeu on the amendrre.. ID,
include The snbaein in the sllowancs of the adm.
iional raIon; and siso the pfOviso moved D.,
Harrison.
In amendment was made on Che rnoion ~ ST.