Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-07-08
In SENATE.


SATURDAY, July L, ls4S.
Mr. BENTON, from the Committee on Military Affairs
reported the act from the House Of Representatives repeating
the rovso to the act which required the President 10 reduce
the Generals to one Major General and Bgadiers at the
end Of the war.
Mr. b. explained the nature Of the from the House. and
Of the amendments proposed and as was necessary for
Congress upon the subject before the proclamation Of
peacean event to be daily looked fohe would ask or
the immediate consideration Of the and amendments
The immediate consideration was ordered
Mr. BENTON said, at the commencement Of the war the
number Of Generals in the regular army increased from
three TO sixrom Major General and two Bgadiers to
two Major Generals and Bngades-and directed the
President at the termination Of the reduce the number
to that from which raised The from the House
repealed the clause which imposed this duty Of reelection upon
the President The Military Committee Of the Senate proposed
to suspend instead Of repeal that clause and make the supen
sion until the fourth day Of March next in order 10
give time for organizing suitable and permanent peace es
Enlistment, providing at the time that no vacancy
which may among the Generals shall be filed up
The committee also recommend, further amendment n,
the act from the House, second section 10 provide in the
manner for the temporary retention Of other officers by
supending until the day Fourth Of March pextN the
provisions OF the existing laws which would discharge them
on the day OF Che proclamation Of peace These officers were
the second Majors attached 10 regiments during the war ami
certain staff officers, quartermasters paymas,ers
&c. all OF whom enumerated In the section pyonoseJ
The public service and justice to individuals required in the
opinion o. the committee these classes Of officers ternp
rariy retained The second additional Majors vyou he
thrown out Of the line Of their profession and unustly band
ed not provided for IL the opinion Of the COM
me that they should be retained as thew were hut - 4;
permanent peace establishment would not be advisable ~
keep up two majors to regiment was the ornjon Of the
committee that vacancies among ouch majors sboud not he
filled up and thus leave the reduction OF these additional ms
Jos TO DC effected ~ promotions and other casualties of the
service The same provision applies the staff officers named
~ the section The provisions Of the which would dis
band them are suspended until the fourth Of March next va
cances IN the mean time be filed up The services &c
these officers are deemed necessary for to come
Inc thd section recommended the to allow thres
monlns extra pay 70 the officers, commissioned ofe-s
musicians and prvaes who have served ia the war with MAJ,
co and who have served out the Of their a.
been honoaby discharged, may be DISCHARGED Tbe
provision Is TO include all who served the term Of ter On
gagemen OF were honoraby discharged from il he,hsr sr
me whole war or for twelve months for special service
ne committee deem this allowance OF extra psv st Il ser
'nd conormable 10 the of the Government heno The
same that allowed to officers at the couclson ~ me le
war with Great Britain, and less than was allowed them =,
The close Of the revolutionary war; Ii is but small ipdem
Any or loss OF hms interruption Of business expenses &C.
incident to the change Of life from the military life to civil
pursuits The present provision only differs from those refer
'ed 10 IN giving the same extra pay TO the
ofcers musicians, and pvates as showed the officers
'ne principle being the in both cases Il is the par
alone, and not pay and emolumenfs which thus given
mr. o. asked that the amendments nigh be ordered to be
engossed which motion having been agreed TO- the bill
'esd 'n'd Tune, by unanimous consent, and passed.