The republic., 1851-01-31
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

.
IMPRISONMENT OF BRITISH eEAMEN.
Mr.. GIDDINGS asked the unanimous consent of
the House 10 enable him to offer resolution--re
questing the President of the United States if con-
slstent with the public interests. to communicate to
that body any correspondence which may have
taken place between Great Britain and this Go
vernment, respecting the imprisonment of British
seamen imports of the United States.
Objection was made; therefore the resolution was
not offered.
RETIRED LIST FOR OFFICERS OF THE ARMY AID
mARfsE CORPS.
MIR. BURT, from the Committee on Military AZ
fairs, reported back, with an amendment, the Sen
ate bill to increase the efficiency of the army,
by retiring incapacitated officers. He asked that
the bill be put on its passage, and proceeded to
explain it's provisions. simiar bill, he said, was
reported several years ago by the Committee on
Military Affairs, on the recommendation Of the
President OF the United States and the Secreta-
ry OF War. With the peculiar misfortune which
had attended nearly all the measures of the
Military Committee, this bill had been
presented to the House for its examination. The
and needed but the Of the House TO be-
come law. The Committee ON Military Affairs of
the House had reported an amendment, which sim
ply makes the provisions applicable to officers OF
the marine corps. The bill was deemed by officers
of the army, the Secretaryof War, and the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, absolutely indispensable
TO the efficiency Of tho army. II there ever was
zine in the history of the country when there
cheney into the military service. now the time.
He trusted that this the first of the series Of
measures having that object ia view, and which, if
carried out, would lead 10 entire renovation OF
the army, which has suffered very greatly from
variety of causcs. He should content himself with
brief explanation of the provisions of the BILL and
he promised by saying that this was no Army
Pension bill. X docs not increase TO tho ex.
tent Of dollar the expenses OF the army, and
il, was due to say that it does not diminish
at all the expenses of the army. The first sec
shall be incapable Of performing the duties OF
is oilce. from age, wounds, or disease contracted
in the service OF the United States, hc shall be
placed on the list The House would perceive that,
10 cnttle officer 10 be retired, he must have be-
come incapable Of performing his duty from the
effects OF age, wounds, disense incurred in the
service Of the United States and that II be become
incapable from any other cause. he is not entitled
70 be placed on the list IL further provides that
when an officer is found TO be incompetent from
any of these causes, he shall be placed on the
tired list with his pay proper and his service
ton, and that the next officer in command, who
shall cced 10 his place, shail receive the pay pro
per OF his grade and the allowances the grade
Of the officer placed the retired list. For exam
pie, If a colonel Of regiment be retired, he would
receive his pay proper-his monthly pay and ser
vice ration no hing else. The service ration is the
ration given for every i've years Of service by law
OF colonel, and receive bis pay proper and the al
lowances which are given by law TO a colonel Of
regiment. And go down to the very lowest grade
in the army. II lieutenant colonel be placed on
the retired list, he would be succeeded by q major;
major by the senior captain, who would succeed
TO his command in the came manner precisely,
down to the brcvet lieutenant