Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-04-16

) pen auons oil Inc agents, WITHOUT designating
names.
| Mr. Bib remarked, that this modiGc alton removed
in great degree, though not entirely, his objections
to the resolution But the fact itself that the Post Of
fee did employ agents ought to he called conn
ed TO the knowledge of az few as possible IL the Post
master General was required 10 communicate to the
Senate the number and salaries Of the Post Office
agsrt. he could wei give that Information without
making such explanations as would, in great mea-
sure, destroy the efficiency Of system, which he
(Sir Bi5b) personally knew the Importance OF for il
by means OF those concealed agents that frauds
had been detected which could not Otherwise have
been detected.
| Mr. Bib then excessively moved TO amend the
other resolutions to require, in each case niorma-
lion to the practice of the former, well the pre-
sent Postmaster General; which amendments were ac-
cepted by Mr.. Holmes, and all agreed TO.
Mr.. Barton S.en offered the following amendment,
which was agreed to.
Reseired, That the Postmaster General inform the
Senate what changes have been made il any. in the
actual duties OF the As-is ant Postmaster Gsner al since
the h Of March, 1929, and for what purposes.
| Mr.. Holmes then moved TO amend the last resolu-
on by striking out the word "usees, after the word
any:" agreed TO.
The question then taken. and the several re.o-
lutions, as amended, were agreed to
SURGEON GENERAL OF THE NAVY
On motion OF Mr. Hayne, the bill creating the office
of Surgeon General OF the Navy, was aken up.
Mr. Hayne sad that. previous to taking the question
on the passage Of this BILL he wished To avail himself
of the advantages gesed by his friend from Virgil
MIA, (Mr Tazewe )when this hill under discussisn.
former days and in accordance to the views OF that
|
the Navy ration. lie knew Of no better mole If in.
crea.;ng the comforts, addng to the enjoyments and
promoting the health OF our seamen than by the amend
ment he about to Introduce IL was, he said.
desrablu that the Of public vessels should be
supplied with many OF those articles Of comfort to
which they have been accustomed as the interests oil
the Navy and the country would permit The sxpe-
rience OF England and France, to which he had aud-
ed former day. afforded light this subject;
and their Naval regulation, with respect TO the ration
were fore him He, dill not design to follow eli.
Their; but he wished To introduce mcnm-nt which
would enable IN. President 10 try at such Zines and
places he might deem NEST suitable to the eomfort'
OF the sailor and the Interests OF the country, TO try
h.w Tar surar co,e tacocoa wine. rai'in'. might b-
substituted for the beet. pork. and whiskev with which
our crews are at present supplied In no instance how
ever, would the ration "Nccr 25 cents provided tor
by the present law. The British ration amounted to
| about % cents.
In Introducing This amenmen', his &c, 70 make
an rinent, aud 10 how far eor's tend
to in reduce system OF temperance in the NAvy-tem
v.rance such AZ entire abstinence from -pri'nous Ii.
quor', being among the schemes of the day. i'll was
not d-po.ed 10 think that such scheme would sui' the
Navy at present. Indeed, he thought il i; j.
forced that il would be mps.-l lie TO get crews. But
gradual change might be effected, both in the appetite
the manners, and morals OF sailors, by jndciou
equations and part of their grog exchanged for
ed aud coffee, &C. he Of the opinion that it wonld
have happy effect on the health, the mcral aud the
con siitntion OF our tars.
Il Mr. Holmes wi'h- n 10 know If il intended tina
the sailor should receive money in for his grog'
So the evil complained of by Mr. Hayne would not be
he would 60 of and purchase grog. This the evil
MIR II. would like to prevented
u Mr. Hayns replied, that the object and eff ct of the
ameLdmcnuwoud be, 20 cradle the Executive TO allow
"a circumstances require il, the sailor 10 draw only
pnt of the sreg at present allotted 10 him, and io
supply him with sugar, wine, collie, &C. fof the re-
nainder.
i MIR. Sprague wished 10 have the amendment so mod
fled to embrace the Mid'hpmen; because il is well
known that the use OF spriuous liquor. among tn 5
cas- OF naval officer, has already produced alarm
ing ard painful Puuences A hoy board
one Of cur public vessels, and in few years, h", by
most improper .-isnt sprits become. most in.
corrgble drnker and is soon incapable oil serving
Their himself or his country.
Mr.. H,yne said, he had no obe con to the moiiica
ton proposed by Mr.. Sprag'e, and would accept il;
thou gh he thought the gen,ieman Uniformed
to The facts or evils which he alluded to. Mr.. HAynr
Gid not think peranee prevailed amongour mid
shipmen. They, for the part, drank wine which
furnished them by the government the gentle
man from Maine, Mr.. Sprsgue, appeared % think; hut
was laid in by Of their previous to EN-
barkauon for a cruise. They, the Midshipmen, drew
pay for the ration and supplied themselves with what
ever iuxurcs neces'aries they might think proper
so that il the mo iific"ion proposed by Mr. s was
dopted il would not have the effect Intended
Mr.. HAYNES amendment was then agreed TO.
Mr. Dickerson said, he thought The passage of The
law would be establishing an unnecessary office. H.
thought il would be better to leave IN. purchase o.
medicines to the Surgeons who go out in ships o
war, who would thus. az it was important they should
always supply themselves with fresh drugs. II, a
argued by the gentleman from South Carolina, il wa
important for the Surgeons at sea to make reports
though he did not The importance of it, it might b,
don" ~ heretofore; there necessity for creanl
office merely 20 receive rerort' He had heard re
rencbnen and economy much talked Of and he shout,
like see II put into practice He opposed to the
creation OF unnecessary officers; Re had recorded hi
vote in oppo'ition retaining Major General in TN
Amy, and, "a he wished TO he understood he shou'
a'k for the yeas and nays hath might record his vot
against this bill.
NJ. Smith, of Maryland, said he had not uch re
spect for that word ''Rvtrenchm snt.' II form wa
desirable ard necessary--hat reform which lops Of
useless expenditures, cOrrects abuses, gives Judi
cious dire r,on TO the public money. and faith
fnl and en.cusl performance of the public business.
and il evident to his mind from The effects Of ,in
liar arrangement in the medical department Of the Ar
my, that inch would he the consequence OF this bill
carried into law. Nj. s. went OH to show that, from
the losses SUSTAINED from medicines after the tetmna
lion OF cruise that The actual saving 10 III, Govern
meni, which the provisions of this bill would
would amount to twenty thousand dol ars per aInun
at the very lowest calculation
Mr.. Hayne, in continuation, agreed that, by the pas
Of the hill, great in the -dicai drpar
meni Of the Navy would be saved, and the health ant
comfort Of the seamen would he promoted lie show
ed from report from The War Department, part o
which he read that, by the adoption Of the system IL
the Army, order and regularity had taken place of
thou. and dollars The hill did not proceed entirely from
the Naval Committee, hut the result Of tho orgi
examination Of the subject, and Of lair and peri,
ders'andng with the Navy Department.
| Mr. Holmes observed, that ho dill not oIjc 10 Ia,
bill in squencn Of The additional expense hist m gh
he incurred, III indeed there should be any sddiio
eSpense) inPoi tant subject the health anC
comfort OF sesn.n. il he thought the proposei p
would effect The object it contemplated. He had lone