The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-09
THE rRssupEur's MESSAGE.


OF 80 much OF the Presidents message Of yesterday as
relates to providing for the territories
moved refer it to the Judiciary Committed aud Mr.
Westcott having moved the Territorial Commt tee and
for an increase Of two members to said committee,
discussion followed upon the respective propositions,
and on the vast import of the general subject DO
considered Mesrs. Butler, Atchison. Hazel, Wsstcot
Rus Dayton, Fcote and Bright, participating; but
without a conclusion any way
onm otion Of Mr.. Dayton the Senate adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
WARRINGTON July 7, 1S4s.
REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER MAJOR GENERALS AND
BRicApIEh oENERALs-THE PROCLAMATION OF THE
rnEsIpErT-srEEpv ACTION NECESSARY
Mir. Boris, from the Committee Military Affairs
reported the Senate amendments to the act to md
the act providing for the the existing
war between the United States and Mexico, and for
other purposes.n
The bill of the House repeats the proviso that the
number of major generals shall be reduced to one and
the number of brigadcr generals to two and that tho
President Of the Unted States shall make the
from the whole number without regard to the date of
ratification of the treaty of peace between the United
States and Mexico. The Senate amended this, by
Of March, lSi9 with an Introduction that the existing
vacancies shall not be filled up They likewise added
an amendment, giving to the soldiers three months
extra pay.
MIR. JONES. of Tennessee think that the time has
arrived by tho proclamation Of the President that the
law should go into operation. The war has tcrmi-
pn'ed 1t becomes the duty Of the executive to act
can possible necessity for continuing any of
these addtie nal officers service the emerge for
which they were called into the field having ceased
move to refer the bill and the amendments to the
Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union.
MIR GFNTRY-As at present advised, with the infor-
nation before me- concur in the views expressed by
my colleague. When legislation had been made by
Congress- in the creation of additional officers to pro-
vide that they should go out the tcrmn ,ton of the
war, it was deemed to be sound bill know of
reason which win induce change in the law post
ponement of its operation until the fourth of March
next Might not, with equal proprety susp md the
law which disbands the private soldiers Why not
cers officers soldiers and ali If the law win operate
ipjnrousy If any officer who has rendered himself
eminent, that dismissal would be to his prejudice,
let him be provided for by special act of Congress-
restore him to his position You propose deal with
all alike In the absence any necessity for delaying
the operation OF the act until the fourth Of March next
am utterly opposed to the ndme mt of the Senate
Let the law have its effect now
Mr. BoTTs-There is certainly reason why l. an
individual should feel any particular anxiety for the
passage ofthe bill. 1t becomes my duty, however,
the organ OF the to state the reasons which
operated In recommending concurrence in the amend
ment.
Mr. HoUsroN, of Alabama ask leave to PROFOUND
question to the Chair which may render debate
necessary desire to know whether the bill does not
make an appropriation; and if so, whether it must
not 60 to the Committee of the Whole the State Of
The SrnAxEn-The Chair is not aware that there is
any appropriation in that part of the anne ndments now
under consideration The bill has already passed the
House, and the amendments Of the Senate now
under consideration
not make an appropriation of money, therefore, it
need not go to the Committee of the Whole on the
Mr.. HoUsroN-It may not directly make an appro-
priation OF money but understand that 1t involves
an expenditure of about three millions of dollars (for
extra pay OF sodiers) 1t may not make appropria-
ton in SO many words, but does in effect.
Mr. BuRT-The gentleman wanders far from the cor
rect idea
Mr.. HousroN-What is it, them
Mr. Bunr- Nothing like it.
Mr. HorsTos-I made a rough calculation: the
amount involved is at least two millions. II viii an
preach that. "P
MIR. Borrs-I rise for the purpose of making an
q tn tla cbor &c In a..
necessity for its passage will repeat what said day
before yesterday. 1t will be borne in mind that seye
much of the act Of is47 as makes it the impera.
tive duty Of the President, on the restoration of
peace to reduce the number Of major generals then
in commission TO one, and the number of briga-
der generals to two. The bill went to the
Senate and to that bill the amendment comes back to
the House. If legislation be not had immediately on
the bill one of the inevitable will be that
either General Scott General Taylor must be strick-
en- from the roll and all the brigadier generals save
two and these to be retained the discretion of
the President of the United States The time has ar
rived when the law in full force The proclamation
has been published this day. The law knows no parts
OF day, and under the law of 1si7 these additional
officers cannot remain in the service The Senate in.
operation until the fourth of March not only with re-
gard to the major generals and the brigadier generals
but with regard to all other officers, quartermasters
surgeons, paymasers etc The object is to give add
tional time for legislation the subject do not I'M
derstand that is contemplated to retain them COM
mission until the fourth of March. They must neces
sary go out with the publication of the proclamation
The bill simply proposes to suspend the operation the
law TO give Congress time to act udciously 1t is no
doubt the intention Of the military committees to pro-
vide for peace establishment, and until determine
what number offorcc will be necessary for the defence
of our exe nded frontier it will be impossible deter
mine which, and how many of the officers it will be
proper to retain There will be additional officers
Increase the peace establishment How is il possible
fer US, within one day. as it were to decide which and
give Congress time deliberate, and to investigate
the whole subject, and to determine what number |
ration Of the law will mention a single circuln-
stance to show the manifest injustice it will inict on
The Of ls47 authorizes four additional majors to
be appointed to be taken from the regular line Of the
army -Four Of the olde't and most meritorious cap
ia the on the field OF Mexico selected as per-
to be promoted to the majority.
MIR. GENrRY-lf the bill proposed simply to suspend
the operation of the law far these officers are con-
cerned it should have my most hearty cooperation:
but the amendment is sweeping. Partisans have been
promoted to the highest rank What need have We
for the additional major generals and hrgadmr gene
rails Let them go back into private life The war il
over The necessity for which they were created has
ceased TO exist There is propiiety in continuing
them in the army nm hour longer.
Mr. Borrs-I have not yet concluded my remarks
Mr. BoyDoN-The gentleman from Virginia saws
that we must act upon the subject TODAY and he saws
that the law knows no parts of day. The procla-
nation is dated the fourth day of July and this is the
seventh. This morning the major generals and bril-
gadier generals are out of Office according the con-
struction Of the law.
Mr.. BoTTs-As to the date of the proclamation am
not prepared to say. The proclamation will be regard
cd as having its date at the time of it's publication and
when the fact was made known officially. Peace will
scarcely be regarded existing until the proclamation
was published. But to resume these four most meri-
torous captains were in Mexico engaged in the public
service. Without knowledge request on their mart
they were promoted and made majors and ask can !
you conceive of more manifest piece of Injustice
than, by the operation Of your act to lecislate
them out have felt IL to be my duty as CHI airman
Oh the committee, not from any personal feelings to
make this explanation.
Mt RooKwELL. of Connecticut-Will il be in order
TO move that the House resolve itself into committee
of the whole, on the private calendar!
The SPEtKER-It will.
MIR. RocKwELI--l make that motion
MIR. VINToN-If the motion be not agreed to- will
move to go into Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union
The question was taken, and decided in the Mega |
tive. " ~ 80"
Mr. ViNTovl move that the House resolve itself into
Committee OF the Whole on the State Of the Union
MIR. SAwYER-Letis have the yeas and nays r., oh |
no ~ No." ono" Yes, let's have emil ON