The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-31

lineal breve rank of major Young officers will prob
ably be hereafter selected for both these posons and
becomes necessary unless local rank provided for, Il
give the benefit OF brevet rank wish TO give breve
rank its full value in the OF the commandant anc
for this have special reasons The oommandant should
be a soldier OF such grade and experience will no
only enable him to teach the strategy of to the bes
advantage, but as will give him the advantage which be
longs 10 distinguished service and impress his character
upon those whom he teaches Ii is essential for this thai
| he should be soldier who has rendered important
services ~ battle Those thus selected for The post o
commandant will be more efficient by their experience
and sui more BY the military ardor which their history
will infuse into the minds OF those whom they to
leach This branch OF academic instruction is strictly
mhtary the rest is scientific For this, therefore, think
the fact OF service in the actual operations of par
tIculary desirable. These the which induce
me TO offer the amendment
Mr.. YULEE The object proposed to be accomplished
by the amendment appears 10 me very desirable The oh
econ occurs to me- however, which will suggest to the
present in command Of the Military Academy is al less
grade than that indicated in the amendment now pro-
posed He has been selected for his peculiar qnafca-
lions, and his excellent adaptedness to the position as
signed him. and which he has occupied with great credit
to himself, for TWO or three years. The effect Of the
amendment then. would be to egisate him out Of his
position, as understand think it would happen very
often as would be in this instance that an officer of
less grade than that indicated in this amendment might
have atalnments to qualify him for the Office. II ap-
pears to me better plan 10 reach the object would be 10
annex to the profession compensation adequate TO its
responsibility and dutes-o fix the salary OF The snperin-
endent a, proper rate without limiting the discretion Of
the department as to the grade of the officer selected The
objection have to this amendment is that il would legis
late out very competent and able officer, who has dis
charged ms aass thus far 50 as to give complete salts
sure upon him which could not be easily explained and
which al all events would be d,sasreeabe and mortify
ing to the officer himself and his friends would there
lore prefer that the salary should be raised proper
point, without the grade being fixed.
Mr. DAVIS. The object of the senator from Florida
could be only obtained by creating what is called local
rank-a species of rank well known in the British SER
wee, although not in our own Increasing the compen
salion would not suffice A local rank could be given
to the superintendent equal 10 any grade Congress might
be disposed TO ADOPT Any officer might then be selected
and by operation OF law the rank being given to the sta
tlon, would attach TO him whilst on that duty: Other
wise the lesser officer could be selected without cre-
ang the necessity of still lower rank for the command
ant for would be Inconsistent that he should be OF
lower grade than the comnandant that would destroy
the whole organization OF the acaiemy II Isl therefore,
necessary, IL the senator would reach his object to have
law enacted 10 create local rank If that be the sena
tors object, It would long debate and | will
therefore withdraw the amendment, aud offer another
when the military appropriation before Senate
now offer another amendment
The amendment was read by the Secretary as fol-
lows:
For the completion of the riding hall, Ss 600
Mr.. d. SAID: MIR. President, the riding hall is unfn
lshed, and AN informed that the late Secretary of War
binding that The estimate was already quite high, struck
outrfe estimate Tor the riding hall 1t is important that
II should be completed without delay have received
letter from the instructor OF artillery and OF the riding
class in which he urges upon the of Con-
gess the necessity OF such appropriation, the SIZE
shape and condition OF the present ball being such
endanger the lives OF the pupils, and interfere with their
instruction.. The amount proposed il is thought will
furnish the requisite accommodations.
Mr.. HUNTER Mr.. President, would simply sug-
gest, in relation TO that anthdment, that have made
some inquiries in relation 10 the subject; and have
learned that If inserted in this BILL il will be too
late tor the appropriation 10 effect any change in the
riding hall during the present season. would prefer,
therefore, that this should be left Tor the appropa
ion bill hope the senator will not press the amend.
ment
MIR. DAVIS. | will not press it. will leave it in
The hands OF the Finance Committee assured that they
will lake charge OF IL.
No further amendments being offered the bill was re-
ported to the Senae and the amendments adopted in the
dered 10 be engrossed and "a ,hs be- fnid
rea1ng.
BOUNTY LANDS
Mr. SHIELDS moved posiponement OF the prior
dels with view OF taking up The bill granting bounty
lanas 10 certain officers and soldiers who have been
gagged in the military service of the United States" which
The PRESIDENT stated the question pending to be
upon the proviso the end OF the bill which read
as follows:
rovidsd further, That every person who may be entitled
warrant for bounty land shalt be allowed the option TO
such certificate warrant or treasury scrip or one
add sky acres Any dollars where the quantity Is eighty
acres twenty dollars where the quantity forty
said scrip bear interest OF per cent per
annum payable semannualy, and redeemabe al the
pleasure OF the government
Mr. MASON. Mr. President as this bill now stands,
requires substantially that all those officers and soldiers
who may be entitled the benefits contemplated by the
bill should 20 themselves aud locate the land Tor which
they have warrants before patent be taken out II
restricts these officers and soldiers personal ben
eft; that TO say, they are prohibited from making any
assignment OF any kind OF the until after the
patent shall have been Obtained.
Now, sir under the provisions oil this bull, although II
is perfectly proper and right TO certain extent to exempt
far practicable. the class to whom this bounty "a
given IRON the depredatons always practsed upon them
by speculsios, yet very confident the bill now
stands those belonging the southern States, eadne
the State of Virginia who are eniiiedo ITS benefits will
not receive any practical benefit from II
The PRESIDENT. The .enaor is no, in order The
question upon the amendment reported by the
mluee.
Mr. MASON | am perfectly aware OF il. SIR, and the
Chair will perceive that my remarks will be pertinent TO
the view will take OF the proyiso They are merely in.
troducory TO IT,
As siands them sir, proceeding 10 say, those
of the State OF Virginia, AID | apprehend also Of the
other States lying south OF Virginia, who are entitled TO
the benefits to be derived under this bill, will really
practical benefit because they 10 the
western country III person Tor the purpose OF locating
hundrsd aud sixty, eighty or forty acres OF land
Although may be desirable TO leave The bill as IL stands,
prohibiting trading and transfer in these warrants that
ssued, before the patent is obtained yet as have
sald TO very large class and those, may remark,
who most deserving, 1t will really result in no pract-
cal benefit
Now sr, respecting the provlso think that the views
which entertain may be accomplished by modifying the
proviso in the way propose. The bill proposes 70 make
grsuiy-a pure grauity out OF the public domanas a
recognition o the military services rendered by certain OF
our people in the with Great Britain and in the In
dian wars. 1t IS pure gratuity. 1t Is proposed pre-