Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-18
Congressional.
IN SENATE
MONDAY. March 10.

: CURING
ending the 30th of September, 1921, TO 1927, in
clusive and, also, the value Of the same articles of
domestic manufacture, exported during those years
ending in the years 1926 and 1927, prepared in o.
bedence TO resolution Of the Senate, Of the 9th
inst.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Benton, on Tues
\ day last, was considered and agreed to.
, Mr.. Smith of Md. laid the table a letter from
the Secretary of War 70 the Chairman OF the Com
mittee on Finance, accompanied by statements ex-
hiblting the names OF the persons who have been
invited, from time to time, TO attend visitors at
the Military Academy, and the particular fund from
With the expenses have been betrayed; which,
or motion of MIR. s. was ordered to be printed.
! Mr. Harrison, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, made report on the resolution referred
that Committee on the 10Th February, authorizing
an inquiry into the expedieDcy of ahoiishing the
ofliceof Major General in the u. States Army ac-
companied by resolution that the abolition of said
office was not expedient.
,Ihe report was read, on motion Of Mr.. Harrison.
I MIR. Smith OF Md made remarks upon a
portion OF the report relative to Brevet rank. He
observed that, on tins head, the inclination of the
Senate, he thought, might be misconceived.
MIR. Harrison said, that the Committee had, as
far possible, followed the directions givenby the
Senate on referring the resolution. They had been
instructed TO inquire into the expediency of abol
ishing the office of Mai General and also Whether
those next in rank should be deprived ofthe Brcvet
promotion.
Mr.. Chandler made some remarks, which were
heard indistinctiy.
Mr.. Smith, OF S. c. Observed that he did not
wish to have the opinion goabroad, thai the Senate
tell disposition TO abolish Brevet rank He thought
such conclusion would be formed, were the re-
/ port, In its present shape, togo 10 the public He
therefore moved TO strike out that portion OF the
Report which relates to the Brevet rank ofoiiicers
claiming promotion.
! That portion of the report was again read.
MIR. Chandler observed, that it appeared some
what strange that such difficulty was found in
derstanding the resolution, when il was not only so
perfectly plain in itself, but had been 80 fully
planned.
Mr.. Harrison said, that he believed the gentle
man from Maine had never entertained the design
Of striking of the Brevet rank But the Committee
was called upon to give opinion upon the whole
subject He die not know whether the gentleman
from Maryland understood the matter as he did
but IL certainly was contended when the reference
OF the resolution was discussed that one Bfigadicr
General sufficient in our peace establishment.
Ihe question presented to the Committee was what
would be the effect of abolishing the office of Mai
= Gener.i! They were OF opinion that, If the Office
lately filled by Major General Crown were to be
abolished similar rank would be assumed by the
Major Generalb by Brevet, nextin rank, by force of
the regulations by which the army was governed.
lie looked upon this result as inevitable. There
fore, the Committee considered that, in being call
ed upon to pass upon the eXPe &ency Of abolishing
the office OF Major General, involved the necessi-
ty also to consider lie effect of aboising the rank
Maine did not express the objections which he had
now conceived, against the report in the Commit
tee room this morning where it was red,; - - ,.Te
scnce, although he had objected TO the conclusion
arrived at by the Committee.
/ Alr. Smith, of Md, did not assent to the opin-
ion, that if the office of Major General were abol-
ished we should still have two Major Generals in
our army There was Inconsistency in the very
! idea. lie contended that, if the Office was abol-
ished, the two Brevet Major Generals would enjoy
! the rank Of Brigadiers only-not Major Generals.
lie did not like the idea of pulling down every thing
nor did he wish that the public should be under
the impression that it the design of the Senate
to abolish Brevet rank, and for this reason he hop
I ed the passage TO which he had alluded, might be
/ stricken out.
MIR. Chandler said, that it was true, as sta
ted by the Chairman of the Military Committee
/ that he had heard the report read i'm the Commit
tee room, and did not then disagree to R-but it
was because he had not seen its bearings in the
same light at present He had said, on a former
occasion, that our Army did very well with but
one Brlgader General; but he did not thereby
imply that Brevet rank ought TO be abolished
MIR. Benton sad he wished the gentleman from
! Maryland would consent TO modify his notion so
as to allow the report TO be recomntted generally
TO the Military Committee.
| Mr.. Smith, Of Maryland, aucceed to the propo-
sion of the gentleman from Missouri.
4 Mr.. Harrison said, that having heard no OBJ
lection to this motion, he should not oppose it, He
! would merely say, that the gentleman from Ma
ryand aad himself were entirely at issue. He
4 commended, that, by law, there were two Major
Generals in the line, and that if the Office held by
General Brown were abolished, the first in rank
OF those two officers might claim the station to-
morrow. lie did not see how the gentleman could
get rid OF the fact that there WERE at this moment
two Major Generals in the service, receiving the
pay and emoluments Of the station, and considered
! universally as such.
Mr.. Chandler said, he would merely point out
othe gentleman from Ohio the effect Of his doc
irine, lift should be correct. Suppose the Presi-
dent of the United States should appoint civilian
to the otiice-does he contend that Generals Gaines
ana scout could take command superior to the in
diyidual appointed?
MIR. Harrison answered, readily, that, If civil
Ian were appointed 10 morrow, the first in rank OF
those Generals, would have legal right to super
sede that individual
Mr.. Smith Of Md. said, and say promptly, il
he dared to do it, and, were the Major General
! appointed, would have him put under arrest fos
! his presumption.
The motion TO rc-commit was then adopted.
Mr. Eaton Observed, that he had long consider
! Ell something necessary TO be done on this qucs-
uoni and since the subject, generally, was before
, the Committee of Military Affairs he would sub
/ init the following resolutions
Resolved, That the Secretary Of War inform the
Secretary Of the amount Of money that has been
paid 70 the officers Of the Army during the year
! 1877, on account Of BrevCt rank, and which thew
would not have been entitled 10 receive. if not
from that Brevet rank
Resolved That the Committee on Mi'itarv AZ
fairs inquire into the propricty and necessity ~ so
amending the existing law, as n restrain Brevct
appointmentsin the line and staff Of the Army, on
account Of ten years service in the same grade
aud to prohibit the giving a secoud Brcvct n
any ohicer, where a previous Brevet has been
had
Resolved, That The said Committee inquire g.
on Court Marshais. and on command upon scpd-