Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-24

within chat year With the exception above stated
accounts accrung ten years ago paid out Of the
appropriations for the current year. The Comp
trocr books do not profess to give the expenses of
each year, but only the payments. Large sums
have been taken out OF the appropriations within a
few years past, to satisfy old claims This is doubt
less, one cause Of the deficiency in some of them,
which has, in fact existed, and been known IN the
public offices for several years 1t may be doubted
whether there was money enough under any one Of
the principal heads Of appropriation in 1928 to pay
up all accounts accrrinG before the frs. of January
1929; and il is probable that there was an agrre-
gate deficiency, exceeding half million of dollars.
1t is difficult to ascertain fully, and detail
iy, all the practices which have Embarrassed the nc
counts of the Navy Department; and perhaps it is
more difficult to point out remedy But the re-
suit otmy reflections shnl be freely given.
As first step to effectual reform in the bust
ness of the Department, would suggest the propri-
city of an appeal to Congress to remodel the Whole
system OF pay and emoluments of the Naval Officers
leaving us little possible TO the discretion of the
Executive. Every Indirect and covert allowance
should be discontinued and forbidden; and the nav
OF the officers made SO certain rs to leave no
room Tor construction, and so liberal as tc remove
present inducements to seek increase by direct
means. The regular pay Of officers of the Navy is
Tar below that of officers OF the Army in simple
grades. Certainly, their services and dangers are
not less Bearing their countrys flag every cline
they are exposed to dangers, dieeases and death in.
degree for by ana any thing encountered i'll time
OF peace by The officers Of the Army. By the feeble
health and broken constitutions Of many returning
from distant cruises, who present themselves to me
for settlement of their accounts | am constantly
admonished OF the !ardships these brave men have
to encounter Let not the country be unjust to
them.
The lawful compensation TO Commanders ocSouul-
rons is peculiarly iiiadcouate BY their skill and
vaioT they have made flag glorious, and attrac-
teu 10 our ships the attention OF the world When
they enter foreign ports, meet foreign soualrons
tney are obliged TO receive and return the visits of
those whom curiosity or admiration attract on hoard
= III IlIr,fr I,n
tes us to be conquered in battle they are compelled
TO incur expenses which their regular pay and e.
aoluA'cnts are inadequate to meet Let them be no
longer ubeced to the humiliation of bcgoiug ndi
rect and unauthorized allowances from the ExecI
tive, when an ample compensation ought to be ac
corded to them by the representatives of the Amer
lean people.
1t is more important that Congress should give ne
system OF pay and enolumens, because discleiona
Fy allowances by the Executive tend to Injustice
corruption, and endless ieaouses While the officer
OF Eice feelings stands aloo and relies upop hi,
country to provide for h, the less scrupuous make
themselves the ussiduors fiattei efs of tlos in nov
or. Their success operates as 6 premium for sub !
servcncy, and dsheareRs those of homes, princinles
ana ioty minds. 1h, supple and corrupt may mon
opoiize tue favoTs of the government while tho in
dependent anu honest are kept in obscuritv or G,;v
en- from the public service. The minds of officers
tcao OF being devoted to the interests and eIorv of
tue navy, are employed upon The means of persua-
ding the Secretary accounting officers To ete ON,
their emolunents by additional allowances If eve
~ claim IS not allowed which bears a resemblance
to such as have been allowed TO others thew are dis
satisfied conpail of Partially and Injustice II OH
accounting officer be corrupt, and it be understood
that clunS Will be tvcraby considered in proportion
as claimants minister to his passions his partisan fec
ings, or his necessities it is fearful to think how ia
the poison might spread in this Essential nru of the
national defence.
How vastly important is it, therefore, not ONLY 70
the safety OF the Treasury but 10 the character and
efficiency OF our Navy, That all discretion, in making
II n lnyfnr CHI. l. H..
cutivc Officers. To its moral character verilv bn
iIeve, does onr Navy all It's glory. ]}y preserv
ing that character, we shall make it inyincbIe i
Eve the officers liberal pay; make it fixed and GER
tain place them in situation TO claim it as n mat
ter Ut right; teach them 10 consider themselves de-
pendent on no Executive Officer for their euloIpuents
but on their country only; they will then devote
themselves, not to this or that man who NAV chanc.
to hold the Office OF President, Secretary or Audi
tor, but 10 the glory of their flag and the interests
OF the republic. The navy will becune as remor
kable for its high honour and strict morals as it is
now distinguished for its vaor
doubt whether The present system of sppnlv;no
Seamen on board ship with comforts is not ini,i
rious TO the morals Of the Navy. II affords nm ovcr
active temptation to Pursers 10 cheat TIE soamen:
md that they arc sometimes overcome b. it, we have
ample proof But not prepared to sunrrst n
remedy.
Public economy, no less t!nn the character of rho
Navy, demands well defined system Although |
he pay OF every officer might be nominally much in
rot be greater than it is Perhaps it would be less;
1t least the increasing proison which always attends
loose system. would be checked, and the ultimate
effect would be saving of public money.
One ofthe most Important results of q we'll def |
red system would be- the restoration of confidence IN
he public Offices, and OF truth to their records |
truth is the basis ofa morals of oil useful religion
IF society itself Yet our public books and records
have been hiied with systematic fllsehoods. Does |
my one suppose that commission has been allowed
% the commanders of sqnadrons for the purpose of
paying them for Tie b0stte q drdtoirg jRls7 The
trouble is nothing; the nau,e given to the allowance
IS a mere pretence Lately $4,000 have been allow
I'd them in lieu II commissions. This is one stem
nearor to direct allowance without prelencc. The
truth is the allowance is made TO increase their
s'a0iu1ae"ts, and nothing else.-Who, on finding
rom the books OF this office, that six hundred dol
lars has been allowed TO pursers for clerk hire |
would doubt that this money has been paid for
cierks' Yet such is not tie fact. The allowance
has beeA made So!cIy 10 cover charge Of commits
cff,r1fe mil