Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-02
NINETEENTH CONGRESS.
SECOND SESSION.
TUESDAY, DEcEMBER &c, 1926.
IN SEN ATE.

Mr.. Noble asked and obtained leave to intro.
duce bill to continue the Cumberland Road. Mr.
N said, that, as the same bill had been before the
senate last year, and not acted upon for want Of
ti:ne, he would merely say that this bill con-
tained nothing more or less than the siipulaiions
that the Congress of the United States had entered
into with the Northwestern States and Missouri,
with regard to that bill.
Ihe bill was then read twice by unanimous
Consent, and referred 10 the Committee on Roads
and Canals.
PAY OF THE ARMY.
Mr.. Harrison then called up the bill making
further compensation TO DIFFERS commanding
companies in the Army of the United Sta,es-[,o
allow them an additional ration day, and $40
mnh'h, when performing extra du'y in the staff. I
1he question was on an amendment, proposed
oy the Military Committee, to include The subsl-
terms In the allowance of the additional ration.
Mr. Harrison said, that the subject of this bill
was Drought before the Senate in tie shape oil a
memorial OF the officers of the Army commanding
companies. The committee, on investigating the
demand, believed that il was lust one not only
as concerned the Captains, but that the compensa-
,ion OF the subaterns should be also increased He
he'o III MS hano an amendment, which he should
propose to add as proviso that no subaltern Off
Ger, on staH duty, should receive the additional "a
'ion. The ground OF this provision was, that,
whenever they were on such service their COM
were to receive the additional ration onlv when
on the duties OF The line. During The investiga-
uon Oh the committee, much undoubied intes en- &c
A"u oeeh obtained, and member OF the committee,
well acquainted with the Army, had related in
Stances IN which the officers on distant stations
mad been reduced TO great straits thro the scanty
means which they received as a condensation for
,heir services. He did not intend now TO 20 AZ
length into the merits of the subject: but yvb., !,
came 10 be discussed, he should endeayor IN
snow that the bill was founded on PRINCIPLES OF
justice
Mr Chandler would barely call the attention of
'he Senate TO the change, and its consequences
wich this bill proposed. As TO the increase of the
ration, II the comfortable subsistence of the off
GERS required 1t, he could certainly advance no OBJ
lection. But there was portion of the bill 10
which he was strongly opposad A rrea, disnro.
portion existed between the pay of the higher Off
GERS and the subaiierns, which he had always con-
| siueTed an evil Ii had been complained of ever
sihce the revolution, and be was averse 10 MAKING
the dsproportion still greater Besides. he saw in
WIS pih' an entering wedge, which he was con
'inctd would be followed by changes, the end OF
which we could no, perceive The pay of The Can.
'ai"s was to be raised $40 per month and when
'h'' was effected, the officers of higher rank would
aiso Claim similar right, and having made pre
ceoent, 1t would be impossible TO stay the p,ooress
of the system 700
Mar. benton said lie was satisfied tha, the ore
sent pay, received by the officers of the rank de-
s"''eu W the Dill, was entirely inadequate. 70
increased compensation had been sive,, since the
year 1870, although the rate Of living had ri. on
or, which was the same money had ds,,eci,,sI
no other oficers oil Government were provided i,
'n's ih'hier' all others we're paid according TO the
circumstances under which their services were
rendered. The salaries of other officers had been
increased out the pay of these officers remained the
same lie considered that the additional paw and
me increased provision would be barely corofor-
table suihciency for their support. The additional
RATION was valued at 20 cents; this was the prjce
Oh army Ta;ions, although Navy raiions were %
ceh's' though ne never saw any reason for the dit
terence In their value. At present, a Captsin drew
three ratons, worth, at this rate. so cents and
should ms bill pass he would receive bu, 80 CENTS
ana IL was Impossible that this could more thar
support him. at present the paw O. s,bal,.,n.
was so scanty that IL hardly within THEN
power with strict economy, TO supr ort that ex
terror which was expected in the officers of tb
\ army. They were generally men accustomed I,
reHaed HE, and their comfort would ereauv de
pend on their ability to- live in that society I,
which they had been accustomed. II WAS. also
wei known, mat men who embraced arms as ;hei
profession, by the habits acquired in that pursuit
90 "eh as oy dlsuse and want OF qualifications
were rendered unfit for any other business Hay
iiie 10 winch they could resort TO gain more am.
PIE compensation for their lsbors Thew, Iik
o'her men, following the impulses OF our nature
formed attachments and married: and he knew
several L'edtenants who, with wives and five O
81" ehi!uren' were struggling to support them from
'heir scanty pay, and give them such advantaae
OF education as would make them valuable citizens
ne had seen enough of the privations to wbicl
'ney Were exposed, to feel Convinced that the pro
visions OF the bill were both just and proper, ant
he trusted II would pass
Mr.. Smith of MARYLAND sail that tho t;it 49,, =,
commanders OF companies by which he presumed
was meant, Captains Of companies. But he be-
he'eu 'nat companies were often commanded b;
subordinate officers in the absence Of the Captain
anu ne thought they ought to receive the compen-
ssuon' lie hoped it would be 80 understood b,
the War Department
Mr.. Harrison observed, in answer that the bill
came first from the War Department, and was
no doubt, 50 understood. That was his under.
| standing Of IT,
MI Woodbury. said, that If the ration which
was Intended TO be added TO the Compensation.
was 10 De considered as additional pay for servi-
ses' ana sucb additional pay was necessary, ne
had no objection TO the first section or if il were
requisite TO increase the raiions 10 afford a more
plentiiuI subsistence, he still had no obiects, 10
0ner' But The remarks Of the gentleman from
missouri, (Mr. Benton did not strike him a.
| iorcioly' upon reflection, at first; nor could
nose remarks apVly alone 10 officers and subalern
oihcers' Ihey must, in Justice, also extend TO the
PHVates, whose prOpensIties were the same as Ia
'a"I'es' ana who would require an equal quantii y
Oh 1000 tor their own and their fsmIiIes' support
IL 'hs increase was necessary 10 one il was also tc
the oiher The additional ration, If intended as an
'ne's$se OF pay would amount to six dollars
Il IN fIfl Il q al.