The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-16
The following is a copy of the report referred to

tives what substitute any be made for the present
gering the discipline Of the SERVICE have the honor 10
port Thai the subject has engaged my most anxious a.
ment be substituted by which the authority as
conferred by law, nhic corporal punishment IS to
be wholly superseded without serious INJURY 10 rue osc
line and efficiency OF the service In the present state OF
the law. corporal punishment cannot be inflicted except
by order of the commanding officer on his responsibility
he inhct more than twelve ashes court MARTIAL
for offence not capital cannot exceed one bundled
lashes This power OF the commander cannot De degeo
to his subordnaes and, by regulation OF the depart
nent, quarterly returns are required from every ship IN
com ssion showing the offences me Puhshents ana
by whose order they inflicted These reports are care
FULLY examined, and it has afforded me much satisfaction
10 perceive thai In some Of public vessels punlshehts
are very rarely resorted
Ia considering The important inquiry presented by the
resolution of the House Of Representatives should not
fail TO ec attention TO the light in which such corporal
confidently believe that is not regarded personal deg
radiation by the great body OF the navy, but thar
the safety OF the ship and 10 faithful peror-
nance OF duty by all hands on board To their minds II Is
by the of symbols dresses exposing them
rdicnle sanSulnary code, by which pnnshmen's al
shpboard which cannot be passed with lmpun'.
W would be revolving to humanity in this enlightened age,
ous but thoughess men, vino would suffer under its OPP
GRAFTON 1t is that The incton OF corporal punish
pie and it is because OF this general feeling TINT it might
be dispensed with the shore stations within the United
Think might be sdyanta seousy by regulation of the
departments but feel constrained to express the opinion
dispensed
jury discipline of service, endangerng safety
of our sh war, and making system OF pun
behalf sympathy has suggested the modification.
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully your obedient
servant, j. Y. MASON.
Hon. JOHN w. JONES,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Mr. SIS amendment rejected.
Mr. DUER proposed to renew the amendment OF the
gentleman from Ohio, Mr. SCHENCK with slight modi
caton, to enable him express his views the sub
iect OF corporal punishment but his remarks were ar
tested by point OF order Ia sed by
Mr. McLANE, who said the remarks OF the gentleman
were not applicable 10 the subject of his amendment
The CHAIR ruled the gentleman out of order.
Mr. DUER then modified his amendment, so as to
make conformabe 10 the character of bis remarks. lie
argued that whenever began to treat sailors like men.
their elfrespec and morals would be improved by it.
1t would do much, also, in the way OF dscouraglng the
spirit of muny. Whipping was the punishment of
slaves Whipping only makes more mutnous
than he was before. We could moi expect to find men
of the navy to favor this change in the discipline Law
yers and doctors the first to advocate any
radical change in the rules of their practice His amend
ment was then withdrawn.
Mr. MORSE proposed an amendment to express his
opposition to the abolition of corporal punishment in the
navy. He reproved the sickly senmentaly which was
calculated to lead men who on board YES
sell in their lives to set themselves on the instant
OF the navy: He knew that corporal punishment was
necessary that was the only resort for the preservation
OF order and decorum among thousand men, SUBJECT to
The authority of one man. That authority must from
he necessity of the case be despotc And then he with
drew his amendment.
Mr. MURPHY proposed 10 amend the amendment pro-
vdng that before this provision shall go into effect the
subject shall be considered and passed upon by Congress
At future day; and proceeding 10 occupy the
1--WE minutes allotted for explanation,
When his amendment was ruled to be out OF order:
Mr. BROWN of Pennsylvania submitted substitute
for the whole amendment proposing mode OF pun
isament, which he proceeded 10 advocate.
The substitute was rejected.
Mr. CATHCART moved TO amend by striking out the
word mot" in the amendment He admitted that his OBJ
lect was merely to hang ivemnutes speech upon his
he felt upon the subject before the committee would plead
efectuay his excuse for trespassng upon their time
He considered the infection of corporal punishment as
outrage upon the humanity of the age He was sorry
to hear the gentleman from Louisiana intimate that fog
gng necessary to maintain the discipline OF the navy
Sir, said he, we had well put the ''cat- onne-ta
into the hands OF our Chairman to enable HIM to maintain
order IN this committee to contend for the barbarous
practice of esorng to it in the navy He declared also
that he never saw the crew OF man-of- war which
would not favoraby compare IN the matter OF orderly
behavior, with this House OF Representatives. He had
been Graded on the ocean, and he assumed to know
something of the character of the men who had fonded
him in his youth 1t base aspersion upon them
to pretend that they required to be treated like brutes
He had known brave old tar ogged 10 crafty the spleen
Of little upstart mildly, whose only mark OF manhood
consisted in the wearing of few gering buttons on
his He did most sincerely hope that hereafter the1
creature made in the image of his God would not be sub
jec TO this most debasing practice Mr.. c. then with
drew his amendment.
Mr. MCKAY moved to amend, by striking out the
word smarines" to enable him to say that this amend
ment would give advantage in Communication to the ma
rnes those engaged in the military service, and lead
to future legislation
The amendment rejected.
Mr.. STANTON proposed to strike out all except that
relative to corporal punishment; which ruled out OF
order.
The question was then taken on the amendment by
Mr.. ROCKWELL amended; and telers being demanded
and ordered thereon, ii rejectedarmative 81, neg
alive To-
Mr.. STANTON then proposed the amendment abolish
ing corporal punishment which ruled out of order
MIR. ROCKWELL of Connecticut proposed to amend,
by proposition making allowance in lieu of the spirit
ration, Of six cents day. if the person entitled to receive
the elect to do which was ruled out oil order
Mr.. SAWYER proposed to amend, by striking out
musical Instruments from the supply of naval stores
and fulfilled his five minutes by showing that these mu
steal instruments employed in the service OF
the navy, but only for the qualification of the exqusites
on land.
The amendment was rejected.
Mr.. VINTON (under instructions from the Committee
of Ways and Means) moved to amend, by adding to the
of $4,000 for the relief and protection of American
men abroad; which was agreed to.
Mr.. v also moved to amend further, by striking out
from the bill the whole of the second section super
seeded by the ratification of the treaty OF peace; which
was also agreed to.
Mr.. WHITE of New York proposed an amendment.
by way of separate section directing the Secretary OF
the Navy TO contract for work at the Brooklyn
navy yard
Pending which motion, the committee rose and report
ed no conclusion.
After an Intellectual motion TO adjourn,
Mr.. VINTON moved that the House resolve itself
again into Committee of the Whole the state of the
Unlpn bu before the question could be taken on this
motion,
The House adjourned