Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-17
FROM lie .Nat,oadt Inteidgeaeer.
OFFICIAL PAPERS.

REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF WAR
DEPARTMENT OF WAR,
3Jth November, 1929.
Tothe President IF lie United States
SIR: The Secretary of WAR submits IN IN. prcsi-
dent ofthc United States report showing the man
ner IN which the business CT the Department has
been conducted, that its details may b, before ham
ior consideration. The communications received
from the different officers connected with the War
Department, here annexed, contain every tbinu MN
uely, and more IN detail, than can be presented in
TINS report Such general suggestions, in reference
10 the, as may appear warranted b. the public in
terest, 1t becomes his duty submit that tbS NAV
receive from you the attention they shall be found to
merit
~ Is win pleasure made known, that the army is
satisfactorily fulfilling their just engagements to the
country; and that harmony and proper zeal prevails
Inc rank and file Is nearly complete and at bouuh
aescrtion has not entirely ceased, yet is less IRE
quent than heretofore. The rigid eXaclions of the
law, III retcgeuce to this crime, is believed 10 carry
80 great sevIiy iur state of peace, and should he
'iio ated mo something better corresponding with
tic magnitude Of the offence. 1t Is not the Guan.
tuin but the certainty of punishment, that is cncu-
lated to deter oitendcrs; and rs no soldier in pcace
ms Icei executed under the sentence of q court
h'tal,t has accustomed the impression that SO Sc
we're q pena ty wii most probably not be enforced,
and hence, disregard of II Is entertained woulb
ny no means be Understood Us recommending n re-
turn TO The nction OF stripes; is punishment nj
together too degrading; STRIPS the soldier of TINT
proud spirit, and OF those lofty feelinrs of honor
winch VIII tend to prepare INN, when q sutnbIc oc
caslon may Offer to become a traitor tn bIs cn,,r,,
tha: mas branded him with ntany the STIGMA OF
which, no future good conduct, on his p,rt c,p ro
ihe ethcency OF an army is be dlscerned through
the prlde-the elevated character of the individuals
who compose 1t. To secure this condition ot .hinrs
no man should be INV gcd into public service under
false preences, and when MS mind is not in a stun
Ton to engage IN contrac.. He who SHOULD bnr
gam with neighbour for his property, when found
In state of lntoXIcation, would be Justly rcnrchnn
inn Of
wrong: how much more cautious then should n Gov
chnent be, the guardian OF the rights of its citizens
10 aFoid temporary purchase of their liberties; at
such tiille, and under sucL circumstances Rest
ing upon the correctness of this impression orders
nave oeeh Issued prohibiting any, when ntoyicated
To De enlisted, and orbidding any contract to be fl
10y 1'uiIa .' uhtii time and opportunity are
qualihed and valuable materials will enter into
compose the ranks of army, and character and
pride be obtained. 70 attain tins end an pf.ctuoJ
alteration would be to withhold the premium ,cIcb
at present Is given for en.istmen;s; the effc, nf
which may be to induce carelessnrss and ;rJ;eor
ehce as 10 the description of who are received
IL might be better to make the premium thus wrong
ly bestowed an increased bounty to the enlisted g
cruit. 4e
Inc long controverted question respecting breyet
rank IN the army has been decided in a ,narrar
Whch Is believed TO be III Conformity with ovst;nr
laws on Tie SUBJECT. | an happy 10 add tbo, as
lar as opinions have been ascertainea the officers
OF Tue army are disposed TO acquicscc in The decision
ana TIC increased harmony which il j., exncc,aJ Ill
be consequent unnn that certainty
mere Is q doubt resting in conney,op with .i;
SUBJECT, Wnlch beg leave to suggest the Dronr;etv
o! bringing 10 he consideration OF Congress-: il is AZ
to The compensation righttuIly to be extended 10
DEcEct oHicers, when command Is held CORRESPOND
emu 10 the!f ranS The Interpretation given to the
law upon tAiS subject, by regulation of the War
Department, IN 1897, Is that when Cant,nn il -,
the command Oh any larger numerical force than a
company ho matter now lnconsiderabe; Major u
greater Iofce Than two companies; IL Colonel more
lhaa regiment: General any force greater than
biigede; mat lii all such ana similar cases the
oiicerS rGspSc'Veiy are TO be considered having
command acco ding TO their brevet, and pay CORES
poadng 20 their rank coniorInaby to The conceyod
PROVISIONS OF the act of the 18th OF Anrl 1910
4he erect OF ms construction has BEEN that so In
Us Ihc pay o: '!e army IS concerned instead of bav
ing one MAJOR General and two Alds-do Can,n ~.
the act OF 1871 for organiZnp the military otbPI
!nent contemplated, there have been IN servico tb
MAJOR Generals aud SIX AIDS; and instead of two
brlgaaters' as IS required by the same act there
nave been four Colonies, who in virtue of rho TO-
uatIon oflG27, relative TO brcvet annontn,on, h
received the pay and emoluments of BrinaJ,nr
General; thus Impending to the army three Majors
ana Jour GrIgader Generals, with other Offices nr
lower grade, not contemplated by the act of IeoI f
hSIng military peace establishment II !. .I,h;,
tea Tor Congress to determine how far this b,
iore autlorlIed procedure shall continue or in fr
be restricted, to the conceived internrctot,, - 81.
law. 4''"'lo" VI the
as THIS construction had obtained j, was cops;,o
ca, not strictly correct at least not improper to be
SoL'lcu' esPeclaiiy as previous appropriations by
congress lot DreVct compensation had been Tn,do
ana at thelF last session too; thereby indicating an
acqneScence to the regulation of 1897 But oI,n M
10, 10 Inc number OF breyets which in pursuance Of
the adjournment OF the Senate payments I11do ~
tils account VIII exceed the estimate presented from
the department for the year 1899, and the anrr yin
ot'on consequent upon that estimate.
unueF TINS constructive mode of granting extra A.,
iowahce', there has likewise been conceded r. H.
Surgeon General ofth army, fuel and orortsr ~ INC
c9mmu alton of them. The lanruare IF tb1 @ na,
OF the 4th Of APRIL 1928, is there shall be t s acI
I'll I WIN asalary ottwo thousand five nun
IeIueI l.5 salary officer, with fXcd and ccEiai
compensation The act oftho Both of March Iop'I