The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-06-12
Philadelphia.

PHILApELPHIA JUNE 10, lSa5
There is at this time very interesting case IN progress
in the Udited States District Court in this city, before
that valuable estimable Judge Archibald Ran
dali It brought by the United States against Nc
Keon Buchanan ESQ., purser in the service, upon his
bond in which the Government claim from him about
eleven thousand five hundred dollars balance Of the
money placed in his hands to disburse in his capacity
purser which he claims to have dsburscd and demands
balance in his favor of two thousand dollars
The difficulty arises in this way previously to 1912
the salary ola purser forty dollars per month"; with
two raons and profits his disbursements sales Of
provisions clothing sc. the crew. No act of Con-
gress fixed the profits but left them to arbitrary custom,
and that custom certainly honored in the
breach than the obscrvance advance of ten, twenty
five and fifty per cent charged to the poor Tar upon
various articles of food and clothing furnished him.
by the money Of his placed in the hands of
the pursers for the purpose and that profit went to
rich the purser while It impoverished the poor sailor It
is matter OF surprise that such practices permit
ted to obtain in gallant Navy. II is for OF these
advances which We chose to demonstrate exorbitant,
and which refused Buchanan that caused this
suit So far back 1922 that brave gallant and good
old champion Of the rights of the Tar, Commodore FL
as you will perceive by the following remarks taken
from his biography, written by citizen Of New YORK,
peSds appn the care with which they viii
perceive the officers disposed to guard their interests
and look into their wants will therefore, have to re-
que that will ascertain the smallest quantity ofthe
article of slops Cor clothng and Of small stores to which
their necessary wants may incline but account
suffice All articles designed substitute Stops will be
charged at their advance. At tho expiration OF each
three months, you will be pleased to your purser
to make to me- through YOU return Of all articles
board, including provisions, Stops &C., the quantity fur
nished, the amount charged and the cost, the sums
due, the quantity OF parts Of rations undawn by both
officers and men, together with the amount he may have
charged in money, and the deficiency then
board, with an assignment OF the causes producing the
same"
This was among the orders (of the brave old Commo-
dorc whom the nation SO much indebted for his bra.
when commanding the squadron in the West Indies and
Gulf of Mexico. Let me be understood as passing
especial censurc upon purscr Buchanan he asks only
to do what he thought precedent had established his
right For the honor and credit of the service in 1912
an act ofCongress passed giving to pursers fixed
salary taking away from them the power Of cnrching
themselves at the cost and toll Of the hardy Tar render
wants and necessities of her mariners fair and honest
charge Who more requires the fostering care Of Co.
vernment than that class OF men whose manner. of toll
and service is calculated to keep them away from that
contact with the raficking portion Of mankind which
their paths and rob them Of the paltry pttance allowed
them by the nationl
Henry NJ Watts Esq., the late District Attorney of the
United States conducts the for the Government and
the Vice President, George M. Dallas, and George NJ
Wharton, Esqrs, for the defence. Commodore Elliott
was examined yesterday and in plain business STYLE
with his Characteristic Independent ankness explained
the entire subject i'll that enabled the least
initiated to comprehend the subject The difference
between what termed in the he red book and
blue book with the customs and practices under each
was interesting, as much from the uncertainty of the
customs as their extraordinary character A few
principal officers in navy, with hearts such the
gallant old Commoderes would render the service the
beloved of the citizens the turned up noses of the as
sistants in the service to the contrary outstanding
He mixes among his fellow-citizcns us a good man
should-never maintains naughty, nperious port or
assumes consequence and importance which intelligent
men regard in its proper light, mysterious carriage
OF the body to cover defects of the mndv There is
perhaps public in city who has gained in the
same length OF time many and valuable friends this
veteran in his country's cause The nation owes HIM
much and we trust she may reward him all suitable
occasions with her confidence. His services call for
return and the people of his country demand for him.
The evidence in purser Buchanan's case will close
to-day and the case end probably Friday 1t is
proper to intimate an opinion to the verdict From
the jury empanneed there is doubt but Just verdict
will be given according to the evidence.