Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-17

cii'iry posts tie effect OF which has been To uCrease
'ti' admitted rstons anu of cu.se iuence
Tic a,n"nt pay. by the regulation OF 49,. IL 10
provided that double ratons sal be al.owe to the
Commanders oi pait,nents, and OF such posts aid
arsenais as the War Department shall authorize.
II Is not presumobe, that places where mere civil
duties are required to be performed, merit to be
dchominated military posts; were so INTENDED
by the law. different opinion and con-
struction however. has prevailed, and the detni-
lIon post has been extended To the several bu-
reau Offices coiiaectcd with the War Depart
iicnt, and double ratiOs attached and COMMITTED for.
nc construction thus gwen has not been altered: 1t Is
stlti retaincd; not from belief that it was strictly
Correct but tSlt, having been heretofore acted upon
and sanctioned preferred 20 be left for the de-
termination OF Congress, that, by some further act
OF Legislation, 1t might better be scined what. for
the FUTURE should be considered proper definition Of
te term; or by tcng passed iii silence to suffer
the present understanding to prevail The reguu
ton adopted is not conceived To be i'll conformity
with the acts of Congress upon this subject These
speak OF an increased admission of ratioS officers
when ''commandng;" evidently intending such allow.
ance, when they should be i'll the exercise OF militia
ry, not civil, trust. lfthen the law does not uu-
thorze It, the regulation Il the Department &c tAny
ought not: for although authority is conceded to th.
Secretary OF War, with the Presidents appreciation,
To adopt tor the Army, rules and regulations, 1t should
not DC intended as privilege exercise legislative
power Such adopted regulations must be in confar-
NIFTY, not III opposition, to existing laws.
To gu against all unforeseen contingencies as to
the pay OF officers, would suggest ii would not be
preferable to regulate the compensation Of the Ar
my fixed and certain basis so that all should
becune salary officers The tacitics which such
course would afford the accounting officers OF the
Treasury would be great, wh le an essential bene,
would result to tic officers tclns Gives. 10 them 1t
would prove more satisfactory The practlce, SO
prevalent, OF having items OF disaiowcd or
suspended, by different dsbureing officers different
Opinions and conclusions to existing laws are en-
tertaiued, has not tac introduce difficulties to the
Government, and ottentimcs, embn rra-snenl to tie
officers by attaching to each grade, trumthc Major
General, salary certain and specific, dependent up
no contingency, IA PIPER results would be attained.
anu greater satisfaction produced 10 those who are
Interested The only contingencies Of payment au
thoriZed might be tor stationary aud poetage and for
transportation when proceeding under spes,a orders
from one post to another, with the authority which
already pertains to the Department of asspuinr nj
particular posts, an allowance of increased raions
thereby to equaize III some degree the expenses of
living; 1t being an item greater at some places than
at Others, ana which, on principles OF Justice should
be placed upon some ground of equality A tabular
statement from The Paymaster General is annexed
showing he amount of pay, brcvct pay, and emoll-
nens that are annually received by officers in their
respective grades, az information and data by which
to regulate the allowance of salary should be consid
cred eXpedlent.
From the report ofthc head the Engineer corps.
ut VIII be perceived that some amendments and chm
gcs are proposed beg leave to say that rs regards
the objects OF national defence, the s,irmestjons of
tered are worthy of high considerations In ip,nrov
ing the navigation OF rivers, bays, and harbors
constructing roads, and above ALL ercc,nr those i'm
portan. iortlhcat'ns which constitute the flu
ture deenccS OF the country this ccrns FIRMS az &c
schtlal reliance lntclhge and sklful these branch
es OF servlce have been cUndcd to The tdeI
ity OF execution every where displayed is manifesta
ton OF their worth and value to the country: added
20 which every thing of safety and strict accom-,
ity for finds placed their hands is constantly ra
garded to the entire satisfaction of the Department
ne sa;ne remark, however and IN equal Justice, is
applicable to all the dsbursing officers connected with
the War Department. Ifit be the pleasure of Con
gress that the important Internal improvements of t
Country shall continue, and desire correspondentv
possessed that those authorized works shall
credtaby to the spirit that projects he there is no
plan TO be suggested preferable an enla
tins CORPS to TN extent that the entire reliance IF
Government for oil such objects may be on their ey
ertlons. Al present, the number authorized Is alto
gether insufficient to the objects requiring attention
TO say nothing OF the numerous and tieouent aupca
lions from the States to be afforded the benef, of
their services and which the Department. OWING 70
the pauclty OF their numbers, in repeated inst
have been constrained to refuse, when every dsDos
ton was felt 10 accord to the request.
This report infinitely presents the state. condition
and progress of The different Notifications ybicbbavo
been projected in Congress. BY some error of estin
ate and FACT the appropriation of last year for the
completion OF Fort Jackson, on the Mssissippi River
nus mas iahei snort OF the object: and nconvcncnces
VIII De felt unless an early appropriation can be pro
cured. discovering that the funds would provc in
sufficient, 1t was suggested to tn Department. and
brought to your consideration if portion of the
expended amount set apart for the repairs and CON
tingcncles of Qualifications might not be transferred
to the head of'iortificatons" generally This bo,,
ever, was refused on the ground ofauthoritv wanted
1t 10 now submitted for the purpose of receiving an
early appropriation, that, before the sicy season on
the Mississippi commences, the work may be in pro
gFess; Otherwise must stand deferred aid be treat
iy retarded Tor another year.
The communication of the Board of Visitors which
accompanies the report of the head of the Engnaer
Corps, will show the condition and state of the Mill
tary Academy Towards this institution, preiudces.
IN some portions Of the country have been entertain
CO. ATTRIBUTABLE perhaps to the circumstance that its
advantages fully considered nor its bcno6,s
duly appreciated We are becoming numerous e,
strong people, forming and extending our CONNER
ciai connexions throughout the civilized World
from the experience afforded by either nations in
times past we are warned to the belief that iaaIous