Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-03-22
Friday, March 10.

GJ-We copy from the National ln'elIigehcer'
the following remarks Of the Hon. Albert Z.
Greene, in the Senate, on presenting certain
resolutions passed by the Legislature OF this
State, in favor Of abolishing the spirit ration
and corporal punishment in the naval service ::
Mr. Greene also presented resolution pass
ed by the Legislature OF the State Of Rhode
Island, in favor Of abolishing the spirit ration
and corporal punishment in the naval service
In presenting these resolutions Mr.. Greene
said ask the indulgence of the Scaaie for
moment, because | have voted on ono of the
questions presented to the Senate by the paper
which has Jus, been read, and H. vote which
have given may possibly lead TO erroneous
impressions in reference TO my views on the
subject to which it relates. am in favor, sir,
Of abrogating the punishment of the la2h in
the navy of the United States. bu, am in "a
vor of that, as am in favor of all other Iegls-
la,ion-only at the proper TINE, IN The proper
place, and in a proper manner. The propo-
si,ion on this sub Jet came before the Senate
as an amendment to the bill making appropri-
a,ions for the civil and diplomatic expenses OF
the Coyernmc "a bill which must be passed
OF the wheels of the Government would be
stopped That Of Itself would have been q
sufIiccn, rcason with me for voting agaIns'
emba RAISING that bill with such proposition.
But, sir, this was not the only reason Why
gave that vote. trust | am as much friend
of humanity as those gentlemen who voted,
cons,icntiously no doubt, for the proposed
amendment, but am not in favor Of abolish
ing the punishment OF the lash until we pro
vide for it somo sufficient substitute, or until
we have made some investigation. aud have
had some report, or some authentic statement
Of facts upon which we can act ajylseJIy --
The law which now exists in relation to the
pun shmen, of Offences in the navy u no. a
new ono. Ii has stood on our statute book
for the last fifty years. 1t is a part of a code
and OF a system, and 1t regulates the extent ol
punishment which shall be inflicted. 1t limits
tho power of the commanding officer in the in
Fiction of this punishment to twelve lashes,
and il restricts the exercise ol it to the com
mandnQ officer alone, unless under the sent
encc ola court martial under which sentence
il confines the number oflashes to one hun
dred. Such is the law which the proposition
before the Senate was designed TO repeal,
while il provided no Substitute in It's place
z. ho Lon that Va IN icl
is now Fixed and settled rule of punishment
"a punishment regulated by law-to the
mere arbitrary discretion Of officers, with pow
er to inflict such as they think proper TO or
der
Tn legisla,ing on THE subject, ST, there are
various other considerations that should infu
encc our judgments. We mus, look at ih'
constitution Of the navy itself. ! mean, tt
the kind of persons Of whom it is composed
Sir, we are not legisla,ng for our Commercial
marine. nor for the men who man our mer
chant ships-men who enter on board thos
ships, no, as or iinary sailors for life, but look
ing to advancement, aiming to become mas
ters and owners of ships themselves, and from
among whom have been formed some Of on
most accomplished shipmastcrs and respectabl
merchants. Sir, this Legislation is for a clas
Of men three fourths Of whom arc foreigners
uncducated, and unacquainted with our law
and our habits. Sir, five abolish the punish
nent which has so long existed in the nav
without:provdng for it some adequate subs'l
tute, we shall expose ourselves to the mos
dangerous consequences, AMI we thall leave
in the power Of the officers to innict in stca
more cruel and equally degrading punish
mems. We have abolished the use Of III
lsh in the army, and what has been III
consequence! have j, from the best a,
,hority tha, the men are punished now b
the chain and ball, by suspension by ii
thumb, aud by what is called "the gag
There are oihot simple punlshmcnts too
u,o in tho army, the names cf which {
no, reco'lect, but which are certainly as d.
grading as any punislImcnis that human b
ncs can be subj ct TO. reIrcra,c, SIT, ih
# you abolish the PUNISHMENT Of tho las
without providing for !, a substitute, "
leave II IN the power of those "ho nov mill
tins punishment to substitute either or all
those which have named
Would the Senate consent to 'his' "
ro, ulisr,-k, 70 argue ,l" point J 's,'es 9