Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-12-25

in which Mr. Tyler and Mr. Benton opposed
the Bill, which was defended by Mr. Preston
and Mr. Shepley.
On motion Of Mr. Webster, the Senate then
adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE,
Weefiesday December 17h, 1884.
Considerable debate arose on the resolu-
ton offered by Mr. Clayton, to inquire into
the expediency of reporting law for the
purpose of renitting the duties on locomotive
engines, railroad cars, &c., the question, be-
ing one of reference, was not decided at the
expiration of the hour.
PAY ofhe officers ofhe .Nary.-The House
then went into committee of the Whole on
the state of the Union, Mr. Briggs in the
chair and resumed the consideration Of the
bill to regulate and equaize the pay OF the
officers of the Navy--the question being on
the motion of Mr. Harper, of Penn, to strike
ont $500 as the pay OF senior captain,
commanding sQuadron,and inserting $l,oOO
| Mr. Watmough, spoke in opposition to the
notion, and mentioned that the sum propos-
ed to be allowed, was not third OF the a
mount received by officers of the same grade
| in the British service. Our officers were
necessarily brought into competition IN TO-
ceivng $4,000 year, and were obliged to
reciprocate with them the courtesies and CIV
ities Of civilized life. They had also fami-
lies at home, who were to be maintained in
the meantime, and were, besides entitled TO
such compensation as would enable them
to save something beyond their actual cur
rent expenses.
Mr. Speight proposed some inquiries, to
which
Mr. Watmough replied, that the bill provi-
ded for no decrease in the salary of any Of
fcer. The pay of the Assistant Surgeons
was graduated after deiberation and consul
tation with them. The whole addition pro-
posed to the present aggregate amount ofthcI
pay, was two or three hundred thousand dol
lars. The difference between the pay of the
Navy, aud the Army, sprung from the allow
ance Of prize money to the Navy during the
war: no increase had taken place in the pay
of the Navy since its first organization, and
no attention had been paid to the memorials
and petitions of its honorable, highmlnded,
and mortified officers.
Mr. Ward spoke at considerable length, in
opposition to the motion, and in support Of
the bill as reported from the committee.-
The allowance Of IS 800 in the command
ing officers he considered as proper, mode
rate, and necessary for the interests ofthe
service.
Mr. Sutherland was the advocate OF class
IF men who had added as much as any other
10 the glory and efficiency Of the Navy, he
meant the poor gunners, carpenters, sailma-
iers, boatswains and riggers. The men who
Iold the poor Office Of gunners, an office Of
some Importance in time Of war, the men Of
smoke and fire, are, by this bill, to be reduc-
ID to 300 dollars year, when absent on
cave or waiting orders, whereas, at present,
hey receive 400 dollars, or more. We could
lot 20 to war without these men, and he
would not go for the bill unless they were Ia
en- care of. He would bring them up,thoughl
ot by pulling others down. But he would
ull down the pay Of the highest officer in
he list Of 1900, or even 5000 dollars, rather
han to curtal the pay of those men, while
hey were at home with their families. T.
Mr. Watmough loved these men of smoke
nd fire those men who, in the words, of a
soldier, were baptsed in tire,as
luch as his colleague, and he had been a
ersonal witness Of their worth and valor; but
ne fact was, that the bill proposed to increase
he pay of those very men, while on duty,
early one hundred per cent. As they were
eldom absent on leave or waiting orders, ,
ley would generally receive about $50 dol
rs year, whereas their present pay was
My 42O dollars. 1t was the object of the
i'll to encourage these men to remain on
lty. r
The question being taken on the motion i
Mr. Harper, to strike out $500, and insert ;
500, it was determined in the Affirmative :,
D to IS.
Mr. Watmough then stated, that, as the ?
,mmttee of the Whole had determined the c
Ieston of the rate of the pay of the com v
andng officers, he should offer an amend O
ent to the bill graduating the pay of all the c
her officers, according to that which was o
us fixed by the committee, and he offered /,
e anne endnent accordingly. ;.