Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-12-16

ter the two years had elapsed Surely the statute
ought not to ran Ia favor Of any man while he re-
tans all evidences of his crime IN his own possess
sion; and least ofall, In favor of a public officer
who continues to defraud the Treasury and con-
ceal the transaction for the brief term of two years
[ would therefore recommend such an alteration of
the law viii give the injured party and the Gov
eminent two years after the disclosure of the fraud
or after thc accused Is out Of Office, to commence
their prosecution.
Tn connexion with this subject, invite the stten-
ton of Congress TO a general aud minute inquiry
INTO the condition of the Government; with a view
Co ascertain what offices can be dispensed with
what expenses retrenched, and what improvements
may be made in the organization of its various
parts, to secure the proper responsibility of public
AGENTS, and promote efficiency and justice in all
lbs operations.
The report of the Secretary Of War will make
You acquainted with the condition of our Army
Ford6cations, ArSenals, and Indian Affairs. The
proper discipline of the Army the training and
equipment of the Militia the education bestowed
at West Point, and the accumulation of the means
of defence applicable 70 the Naval force will
tend 10 prolOng the peace we now enjoy and which
every good citzen--more especially those
who have felt the miserles Of even a successful
wariare-must ardenty desire to perPemate.
The returns from the subordinate branches of
this service exhibit regularity and order highly
credlabIe 20 lbs character both officers aud sol
diers seem imbucd with proper sense of duty,
and conform 70 the restraints Of exact discipline
with that cheerulness which becomes the profess
sion Of arms. There Is need, however, Of farther
legislation. to obyiate the inconvenience specified
in the report under consideration; to some Of which
h is proper that should call your particular attea-
ton.
The act of Congress Of the % March, 1921,
TO reduce and fix the military establishment, re
naming unexecuted as Itregards the command OF
one of the regiments OF artillery, cannot now be
deemed a Guide to the executive IN making the
DroOer appointment An explanatory act, designa
tno the class of officers out of which this grade is
10 be flled-whether from the military list, as eX-
listing prior 10 the act of 1921 or from It, It has
been fixed by chat act-would remove this difficult
~. Tt is also important that the laws regulating
The nav and emouments of officers generally,
should be more specific than they now are. Those,
for example, in relation to the Paymaster and Sur
geoD General, assign TO them an annual salary OF
Two thousand FIVE hundred dollars but are silent
as 10 allowances which, ia certain eMgencle5 OF
the service, may be deemed indispensable to the
discharge of their duties. This circumstance has
been the authority for extending to them various
allowances, at different times, under former ad-
minisrations: but no uniform rule has been Obserys
ed ON tho subject. Similar Inconvenience exist
I'M other cases; IN which the construction put up
on the laws by the public accountants may operate
uneoually, produce confusion, and expose officers
TO the odium of claiming what is not their due.
recommend to your fostering care, as one of
our safest means of national defence, the Militia
nv Academy. This institution has already eXercs.
ed the happiest influence upon the moral and In
telIectual character Of our army; and such Of the
graduates as, from various causes, may not pursue
The profession of arms, viii be scarcely less useful
as citizens. Their knowledge of the military art
will be adyantageousy employed in the militia ser
vice; and In a measure, secure to that class OF
troops the advantages which, M this respect, be
long to standing armies.
I would also suggest review Of tho Pension law,
for the purpose Of extending its benefits to every
Revolutionary soldier who adedin establishing our
Liberties, and who Is unable to maintain himself IN
comfort. These reIicks of the War of Iudepen-
dence have strong claims upon their counry's graf
ituds and bounty. The law IS defective, in not
embracing within its provisions all those who were,
during the last war; disabled from supporting them
selves by manual labor; Such an amendment would
add but le to the amount Of pensions, and is call
ed for by the sympathies Of the people, as well as
bv considerations Of sound policy. It will be per-
ceived that large addition to the list Of pension
er5 has been occasioned by an order of the late
administration, departing materially from the rules
which had previously prevailed. Considering 1t
an act of legislation, suspended its operations
as soon as / was informed that had commenced.
Before this PERIOD however, applications under
the new regulations had been preferred to the num-
Der of l5l; of which, on the 9th Of March, the
date of ITS revocation, 81 we're admitted. For the
amount there was neither estimate nor apprOprla-
tion and besides this deficiency, the regular allow
auces, according to the rules which have hereto
fore governed the Department, exceed the estimate
of its late Secretary, by about fifty thousand dol
lars: for which an appropriation is asked.
Your particular attention is requested to that
part of the report Of the Secretary Of War which
relates to the money held in trust for the Seneca