Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-03
..s.s'U.yxk " g, 1870.

Resored, That the President of the United States be
requested Of not deemed incompatible with the public
INTEREST," To negotiate with Spain for her right and title
the country lying between the Sabine and Red Rivers
IN Arkansas Territory.
On motion of Mr. Pnckncy, the bill providing for the
REIMBURSEMENT of Navy Yard at Charleston, >. G.,
ported at the last session. made the special order OF
the day for Wednesday week.
The bill for revivng and continuing in force the
amend ian act entitled act &c TO provide for persons
disabled by known wounds in the Revolutionary War,
was read third time and passed
OFFICERS OF TIKI NAVY
The House proceeded the consideration of the bill
to cqualzc and regulate the pay of the Officers of the
Navy, reported TO the House. with from
the Committee of the Whole
The first amendment fixing the pay of senior Captains
lat all times when in service at 800 dollars, and when
on leave of absence waiting orders, 800 dollars
was concurrcd III.
The next amendment which fixes the pay Of all other
Captains, when commanding squadrons, coast sta
tons, and when acting Navy COMMISSIONER at 81,
ooO; when commanding Navy Yards $1,000 other du-
ty, 5000; on leave of absence, waiting orders 50 COO
being under consideration,
Mr. Parker moved to strike the words coast sta
tons, and when acting as Navy Commissioners
Mr. Watmough made some explanations, and expressed
the hope that the motion would be rejected.
Alter few words from Mr. Pnckney, in opposition
the motion, the motion rejected, and the amend
ment concurred in reported.
The next amendment, which fixes the pay of Masters
Commandant, and Commanders when onsea service, at
1000 dollars other duty at 1000 dollars and whs
waiting orders, at 800 dollars being under consdera-
ton
Mr. Fillmore moved to anne nd it by inserting afel the
words waiting ORDERS" the words cor on lea We of alb
sencc;' which was agreed to.
MIR Watmough hoped, he said, that in this amendment
the House would not concur with the committee. The
difference between the amendment and the clause strck
en- out was but one hundred dollars
Inc question being taken, the amendment re-
jccted.
The amendment, concerning Lieutenan,s, was then
concurred in.
The next amendment was amended by the insertion
of the word 'Pursers which had been omitted by an
rbo
Pmrscs attached vessels for sea service or
at navy yards, $l400. When leave of absence or
waiting orders, $500"
Mr. Wise asked for some information ON the subject of
the amendment.
Mr. Watmough then explained the reason which had
induced the committee change the present
concerning pnrscrs lie stated that had been deemed
expedien to abolish the commissions of the Pursers or
tea and sugar sold out to the sailors and the additional
salary To the Pursers given compensate him for
his loss by this abolition of the commissions.
Mr. Wise stated that the fixed pay of Pursers at pre-
sent very small and that he had 80 per the
tea, sugar, tobacco, &C. which amounted to
sands, and commission of % per n secondary
class of articles The Captains also, in consequence of
their insufficient pay frequently obliged borrow
money of the Pursers He adverted to practices of Pur
sers, by which the sailors heavily taxed Articles
had been purchased at Gibraltar, and after the vessel
had gone TO sea, the sailors compelled to receive
these articles at double their COST and specie He es
timated the annual profit OF Purser board "a at
$laOOO. lie said he hoped the amendment would not
be concurrcd in, although the Purscr received four
times much Captain. because he thought The re
guation of their pay should be made the subject of Sc
parate act
Mr. Pcarcc made few remarks on the uncertainty of
the passage OF the bill referred and opposed the
mcnt
Mr.. Parker hoped the House would reject the amend
ment, and remarked that the gentleman from Pcnnsy-
vania had last session, introduced bill under which he
admitted that the Purscrs had been drawing four
dollars month from the poor He wished that
there should be increase of the pay the Pursers
Mr. Wayne thought that the clause should be stricken
OUT and regretted that he must separate from the Chair
this question
Mr.. Watmeugh said thatit was the object of the pro-
vision to strike at these evils if they existed He did
not desire TO increase, but he did desire bring down
the pay Of the Pursers and he desired to make the bill
specific on this point.
Mr.. Wayne said he should probably vote TO reduce
the pay OF the Pursers at proper time, for he desired
that it should be regulated.
The House then refused to concur in the amendment
The amendments concerning Chaplains then
concurrcd in.
The amendment concerning the Professor of Mathc-
mates was agreed 10.
The next amendments concerning Mdshipnen,
concurred in.
The next amendments the subject of Clerks, were
concurrcd in.
The next amendments, relating to the Boaiswains,
Gunners, Salmakers and Carpenters, concur
red in.
The next amendment on the subject of the absence
Of an Assistant Surgeon during examination, was then
concurrcd I'M.
The next amendment, concerning the allowances to
officers, then takcn,up.
On the question of concurrence there was some ex-
planatory discussion between Mr. Hardin and MIR Wat
mough on the subject Of the allowance Of 10 cents per
mile for travel NJ Hardin contending that il had not
been the practice to allow than 10 and Mr.
Watmough stating that the allowance was necessary
Mr. Reed then moved TO strike out the word sxieen"
and insert the word "tcn.
MIR. Ward suggested "twelve, and the amendment
accepted modification.
Mr.. Mason said that the allowance was fixed now BY
the Department at ninc cents.
The amendment then modified as to read stcn'
cents.
Mr. Hubbard moved strike out the words "for which
sixteen cents per mile shall be allowed" as to leave
il still ut the discretion of the Department.
The Chair decided that this motion would be- in order
when the former disposed of.
The amendment Of Mr. Reed was then agreed TO-
Mr.. Fillmore moved to stake out the allowance "for
detention aud employing on specip service" lie stat
cd that if the officer not paid enough for his whole
time, the pay should be increased
Mr. Watmoug explained that officer was frequent
~ transferred from one place to another at additional
charge to himself and TO compensate him for that
the provision was introduced.
Mr.. Mckinley was opposed to leaving discretion in
the hands OF any Department subject which might
lead 60 iavoritism.
These captans sometimes taken from their stations
aud placed other duties at great additional expense
and il had been usual for the Department to give an
ira allowance Of from 81 TO 80 dny. He was DESTROYS
TO cut off all extra allowances.
Mr. Vanderpoc expressed his intention 10 vote foi
the amendment. Ilc thought it was no hardship fol
officers waiung orders, to bc called martial
at distance Of few hundred miles, and nc ready
70 allow mileage. But he in favor Of cutting off al
unnecessary allowances,
Mr. Mann alluded the scale Of allowances made in
the Army when officers sent journeys to inspect
provisions &c lie thought the allowance ought to be
fixed the scale and should against the mo-
ton.
Mr. Wayne was in avor Of retaining this part Of shc
amendment hc wished 10 make the extra allowance
adcquaie 70 the service 10 be performed II the officer