Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-23

DO. Master COMMANDMENTS do. 3to
DO Surgeons and Pursers do. 921
W!th oh-cloth carpets IN addition.
The pursers stationed at several of the wards hive
LOT many years, presented claims for a Commission on
money paid 10 mechanics and labourers; but il ,vas
repeatedly decided that such allowance could bc
made because such payments were portion of their
regular duties Within thu last two or three veora
however, an allowance of 5000, under the name of
Clerk hire, has been made, with the ayowcd object
Of covering this claim
by law, the Navy Agents are limited to ono pcr
cent on their Disbursements provided tIst tine nroo,
shall IN no instance exceed $4,000 per annun TN,
language OF the law Is tantamoun TO a proLihiti,,
upon the executive. Yet, foreign Navy AGENTS have
been allowed , per cent upon disbur besides
large sums for Office ~ incidental expcnses nd IN eo,,
Instances their compensation has increased tn etono
or 5000 per annum Domestic Agents have been al
lowed round sums for contingent ,.xucuscs v,itb,,u
beng required TO produce vouchers with the evident
intent oil swelling their enUlumcnt beyond $1,000 49,
Some Of the principal Agents have received tb.
round sum of $500 for Clerk hire $50 for office
rnt, $40 for Porter hire; and 600 for fuel and can
dies. Others have been allowed less sums. 70 one
agent at least, commission Of p per cent and Der
cent. over $4,000 has been allowed vast sums of
money, swelling his crnolumcnt5 TO many thousnrds
Let me not be understood 10 mean that the com
pcnsntion allowed by law, ~, IN all cnscs, adequate
design only to shcw, that the Navy Department
has dsrcgarded the law, and taken he liberty 70 in
crease the cmoluments Of these Agents according 10
10 own discretion. IStbe compensation OF AGENTS
H.
~ 10 represent the case 90 Congress, end obtain a
change IN the law rather than attempt to remedy the
defect by instruction.
To certain Surgeons, until recently, there has been
n stated annual allowance made Purveyors OF Med.
clncs. &c in effect increasing their emolumcnts
TO oil officers, Commutation of 10 cents pcr
mile has been allowed for travelling expenses when
on many routes their actual expenses are scarcely
ono third Of the sum, and by this means their cmolu-
mcnts arc increased.
a Communication for wood, no s. pcr cord, has bccn
adopted. At places this exceeds the actual cost.
and the excess goes To- swell tho officers cmouncnts.
AT others it falls short aud the officers complain.
At ono place. by express direction Of the late 9Th
Auditor, tho Purser instructed pay the officers
the value Of their allowance for wood according Ia
the market price, and to take their receipt for much
wood, md not for money. Upon vouchers thus
made false by Official authority, the officers have
claimed 80 TO 30 for their wood.
The Commissioners of Navy Yards have been al
lowed s. so in addition to their regular pay Cap
tant Of the Navy while employed in the business Oh
Navy Yards. and their travelling cvpeuses,
Tho Commissioners Of the Navy have bc.n allow.
ej 50 per day when absent duty, and travelling
expenses.
Officers engaged in no examination or Midship
non ead Surgeons have the some aI!5wgarcs.