The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-13

Now. sir have particular desire to be much more
phianthropic and benevolent than my fellow men. but
should regret to be much behind my ieiowmen in this
respect Whether my opinion IS way or the other
however, with regard 10 hoggng in the navy il has
nothing 10 do with my vote upon this motion, because
wish conhne that question within It's legitimate sphere
opposed TO this kind OF Legislation tins shabby gs-
aton, which either enacis or repeals laws IN this
ner This great radical reform, which proposed
by the enator from New Hampshire, (Mr HALEl or
which is proposed by the House OF Representatives
However just may be, this is not the way to attain the
object
know il will be said to me, You against it you
are against the reform have been too long here and
elsewhere, acting in legislative capacity, TO be deferred
from doing my duty lest should be accused of wrong
Here proposition What is 1t, sr' Is 1t TO repeal
specific acts repeal specific sections to enact spe
cifc law No, sir but at one swoop IN bill upon
another subject, Is to repeal all acts and parts OF acts
that authorize corporal punishment IN the navy Now,
sir, do not know exactly how far this term corporal
punishment goes, what punishments are tolerated in
the navy except corporal punishment Ii will not do
even TO imprison them. upon bread and water. my
friend from Connecticut Mr. NEsl suggests because,
if understand the term, this is species OF corporal
punishment in sense OF the term SO you leave the
ship at sea without any punishment OF any kind
am told that this punishment is arbitrary and despotc
reply tina, the whole power OF the army and navy is
necessarily founded upon despotic authority Now, st
is subject worthy of the consideration OF the best phi
anthropy TO investigate this matter fully need not be
told-for if am told. shall not believe it-that Con
gress will keep pace with public opinion upon this
subject. That is great ordeal, from which there Is
appeal and there no one, from the highest to the
lowest,
public opinion Whenever public opinion DEGREES this,
it will be done l know that public opinion is NOV
ing upon this subject, but do not know that is ma
ured will consent to give my sanction to passing
such in this manner, the close OF session.
without any examination by committee; without any
examination by individual senators, TO see how this law
should read will not, because favor the mere idea,
repeal all acts and parts Of acts that relate to this
naer and especially will not do that In bill which
was not intended to embrace the matter,
shall go against this, in this shall go against
il mainly for the that 1t has no business here, and
that it comes not even in questionable shape- comes in
bad shape 1t repeats all acts and parts OF acts that
thorize corporal punishment Then, no matter what
may be the offence what may be the proyocaton there
is 10 be no corporal punishment authorized at all.
There courts, no jures, no Jals no penenares
no punishmens whatever, authorized,
Now, Sir, am in favor of having this whole matter
referred to select committee il you please mat they
may embody authentic information upon the subject in
their report that hey may crafty thus honest and SIN
cee public opinion which is wrong; that their action
may be in FORM and the Congress may upon the sub
eci not incidentally in the heat Of the moment by the
impulses of neutrality-suspicious. it be real or SPURIOUS
but cooy and deliberately II we have ZEAL that zeal
should be according knowledge and cannot be d.
verted or driven orsooih from following the dictates OF
my own conscience in this matter.
Mr.. BENTON. shall have to vote sir. contrary to
my feelings When here, sir, il was the custom
insert anything in the general appropriation bill
but what founded upon law and 1t was usual Tor
the chairman Of the Committee on Fnan;e: when he
moved to take it up and pass it, to vouch for 1t that
there was nothing in it but what was founded upon
law-nothng in it but what was necessary to carry
on the affairs oil the government buouiu WISH " oeo
the CUSTOM as to appropriation bills. carried back to the
point at which found it, should wish to see moth
ing in the world in them but what was in conformity
with the provisions of law II is that account that
shall vote upon this question contrary to my feelings.
] am not in favor OF scourging American citizens.
Roman citizen could not be scourged and believe
an American citizen sir, is OF as high order OF men
as the Roman citizen Roman citizens found en-
ployment by and by land, in the army and In the
navy; but there scourging. That was reserved
for slaves and barbarans-lhey who were below the
dignity of Roman No, sir, am not in favor OF the
sailors being whipped. | question whether whipping
ever reforms | question whether It is worth while TO
make officers of the navy instruments or agents
correct the incorrgble part of mankind MIR President
do feel some notification at seeing man, one whols
in the army in the navy, brought to be logged:
should wish to have this subject properly examlnsi but
far concerned, it shall not be connected with
an appropriation bill 60 against it on account OF the
place. But il the measure is brought forward in the
proper way am ready to give ii examination and
favorable consideration.
| Mr. HALE modified his amendment by substituting the
word whipping for corporal punishment"
The question being then taken by yeas and nays, the
amendment was rejected by the following vote
eron, Clarke Davis of Massachusetts, DIX Dodge of Iowa.
Hale. Hamn, Jones. Metcalie, Miles, Underwood, up
| ham, and Waker-l7.
J NAYS-Messrs. Atchson, Anterior, Badger, Bell, Ber
ren, Butler, Calhoun, Clayton, Davis of Mississippi Day
] ton, Dickinson Downs, Fitzgerald, Fitzpatrick. tooe
Greene Hannegan. Houston, Hunter johnson OF LOUISE
Rusk, Sebastian, Spruance, Sturgeon, Tarney, Wescot
and Yulee-32.
| Pending the question upon an additional amendment
submitted by Mr.. ATHERToN,
! The Senate adjourned
|
! Washington Assemblies.
THE fourth and last Assembly will be held at Jackson
| Hall on the evening OF Monday, the 18th instant