Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-04-05

(Mr EwIso and referred to the Naval Committee for
the purpose Of examining into this contract for dry dock
ALSO 10 ascertain whether the work. such portion Of
necessary might be constructed upon better than
those upon which these contractors bad engaged or had
posed to engage 70 construct it. Upon this reference the
Naval Committee called upon the Secretary Of the Navy
inform in regard to the state of the contract and Of his
views and opinions upon the question submitted by the
Sen.te The Secretary informed that he had made a
contract that had been proposed his final offer to
contractors that the contractors had obtained time from him
consider them and that the 18th Of the month previous
to the introduction Of the resolution they had notified him
that they had accepted the terms proposed.
Mr. BELL. We have right to amend that part Of the
bill before the question taken the proposition Of the Sc
nator from Maryland. therefore to strike out the lat
provso because think is totally inconsistent with the
rest Of the bill. That proviso is
Provided That before making such contract the Secre-
tary the Navy shall give least sixty days notice by adj
vertisement 10 the general way"
A long debate followed; when
The question being taken striking the proviso, it
was agreed to, on divEon-ayes 81 not counted.
The PRESIDENT. The question now is striking out
the whole Of that provision, il 10 contained in the BILL and
inserting the amendment which has been read.
Mr. PEARCE. consider the striking out Of that proviso
rejection Of the committees amendment and therefore
will not press it further, bat will withdraw il.
After several other amendments
Mr.. PEARCE. There is a provision in the bill in the
following words For preparing for publication the Amer
lean Nautical Almanac now propose an amend
following
Provided That the officer in charge Of said work shall re-
eeye the same as the officer in charge Of the Ma
tiona Observatory"
This was regularly estimated for, and hvoraby reported
upon by the Committee Of the House, but disagreed by the
House. The Committee Of the Senate recommend it inser
ton Il merely proposes to put the officer having charge Of
the Nau ics Almanac upon the same footing as the officer
having charge of the Observatory.
Mr. CLEMENS. shall move to strike out the appro-
pration for the Nautical Almanac am told by those who
know, that these Nautical Alnanacs be bought for six
pence piece yet it is proposed to appropriate nearly
$780, 900 for the purpose Of providing for their publication
Mr.. PEARCE. The Senator from Alabama is little
mistaken the price, but that does not make much differ
There is Nautical Almanac for which calculations
made in Great Britain on which navigators very much
rey but il was thought by Congress- after mature debera
on that It was desirable to have Nautical Almanac Of
own and to be dependant upon the calculations foreign
astronomers and This matter Of scientific PRIDE
L is something than that It is but night that great
commercial and maritime nation like this, taking into consd
Grafton domestic and foreign commerce. taking into con-
deaon the fact that have the largest tonnage of any
nation earth, should have National Observatory and
Nautical Almanac, which is necessary to complete sys
tenn Of navigation. will not expatiats the subject
hope the appropriation will be retained and the amendment
adopted
Mr.. CLEMENS. 1t is plainly admitted by the Senator
from Maryland that this is matter of national pride.
think it is "payng dear for the whistle" We pay
ing 900 for the almanac, and it is proposed pay this
officer in addition about 81, 900.
Mr.. PEARCE Only about 81, 500 in addition.
Mr.. CLEMENS. think it is post captain pay that
he is to get When move to strike out the appropriation
shall ask the yeas and nays on it.
Mr. PEARCE is indispensable to navigation that this
almanac should be made for ship navigate without
il any more than it can without chart.
Mr.. CLEMENS. An appropriation made last year
for this almanac but has not yet made its appearance.
MIR. PEARCE. The Senator cannot say that the almanac
has never been made
Mr.. HALE. / want to say word with regard to the
amendment which the committee propose, and want to say
it in justice other officers Of the navy The officer
manac is lieutenant in the navy. Ahe other lieu,enans
in the navy receive believe ST., 500
Mr.. CLEMENS. $1,000.
Mr.. PEARCE. $1,000.
from Maryland says have established National Observa.
tory. Well, il would be very curious thing to look back
and how that observatory has grown up from "depot
for charts" to be Lighthouse in the skies" There
any act to establish that observatory, but has grdu
ally up what s The lieutenant that in charge
OF that is put upon the pay commander which
believe is year. and you propose to give 900
year to Lieutenant who is to prepare this Nautical ma
aud believe the bill also proposes give So 600 to
some lieutenant who is making experiments with gunnery
Here three eutenans in the navy who staying at
home by their resdes provided by the Government
with quarters and every thing necessary to make them
Portable who to receive 49, 900 year, while other off
GERS, who sent all the world to battle with every
cline and every season. TO receive but 500 800
year. think it unjust highly unas 10 that meroous
class of officers put them foreign duty the
lowest pay, and keep these other gentlemen home living
with ease furnished with quarters fuel and by the Gov
enmen and paid at the time double the amount you
give to those that you put upon the hardest duty think
this amendment is exceedingly UNJUST and hope it will not
meet the appreciation Of the Senate.
Mr.. PEARCE. The Senator is mistaken in some things
This officer is lieutenant know him WELL But the Sc
nator is mistaken in upposng that he lives in and lux
ury. more accomplished man does not live. He posses
high scientific requirements any in navy or
in any other navy So far from living in that and lux
ury Of which the Senator has Spoken he is devong himself
particular branch say that he be supass
ed BY any body else Il is reasonable that these accomplish
ments should be estimated little higher than the common
ordinary requirements Of seagong officers II has been sup
posed to be but just to reward extraordinary accomplishments
and learning of this SORT which require great intellectual toll
by additional compensation Il has been done with regard to
Mr. Maury, who is the junior of this officer Mr.. Davis is
his senior and good reason why should allow
him this additional compensation. think we had better
allow it this year. If down all the salaries
year.
The question being taken the amendment resulted
follows:
YEAS-Mesrs. Badger Baldwin, Bell, Berrien, Davis,
Of Massachusetts,, Davis Mssissippi Greene Mason Mil
Morton Pearce, Rantoul Rhe Smith, Spruance, and
Wales-16.
NAys-Me.w.; Atehi.en, Bradbury. Chase, Clay, Glenn
ems: Dawson Dodge, of Wisconsin, Dodge Of Iowa, Downs
Felch Fooe, Hale Hamln Jones, King, Norris, Pratt Sc
Yuee-24.
Mr.. CLEMENS. ! now move to strike out the sppro.
Pration Of Sls40o for the publication Of the Nautical Al
manac. -
Mr. PEARCE hope that will not ba done. Think
we ought to preserve our own Nautical Almanac
Mr. CLEMENS ssked for the yeas and nays, which were