The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-01

+
J moeioas wh1u Jake my seal, ~ rem il to III
Comuailtse ~ Whols 6p the seats Of ths Union.
IN order that may b. able y investigate IN
provisions of the bill.
Il II ~ fact veil known TO every meaaher of thln
House, that many bills coming from the Commit.
tee on Military Affairs having been pressed
through this House, without the examinssion
which, in my humble estimation, was due 70 their
importance. do not wish TO express any want
Iofcon6dence in that committee; but do not wish
gentlemen Of this House, nor do imagine that il
y the general desire, that we should take the judg
ment Of this committee as conclusive, especially
in this measure. We should have an opportunity
Of knowing what we have 70 vote upon, before
| we are compelled to act.
! am opposed to any measure which contem-
plates an increase in the army, or the expense Of
maintaining it, and shall ever raise my humble
voice against such policy.
Mr. Speaker, l cannot perceive that there 10
any greater merit in man entering the army or
navy Of our country, thanin serving it in any 9TH
or station of life, in devong hlinself in other
fields Of effort 10 his countrys good.
Mr.. BURT. Will the gentleman from Ohio
allow me to explain think he altogether missp-
prehends the nature of this bill
Mr.. GIDDlNGS. Certainly.
| Mr. BURT. The gentleman from Ohio speaks
of increasing the army. assure him that he -
IabOring under an utter Misrepresentation, in sup-
posing that single man, or that dollar of ex-
penss is proposed to be added 70 the army OF ma
wy by this bill
Mr.. GIDDINGS. believe understand this
bill. 1t proposes that when an officer shall have
become ncapacinted for service, by age or other
disability he shall go TO the retired list, and
ceive his pay AZ an officer, ~hilst the next IN rank
takes his place and receives the pay of this in
creased grade. The effect Of the bill, as under
1. nlHk..,
advanced 10 the rank Of colonel, will recsive the
pay of colonel; every major, under the same cir
cumstances, will receive the pay ofa lieutenant
colonel; every captain similarly promoted, will
have the pay of u major, and so on with all the
various grades.
| MIR. BURT, (nterposing.) ! must have been
very unfortunate in the statement that made, II
was not understood distinctly to have said, that
the pay of no officer whatever was increased. A
colonel Of regiment being placed on the retired
list, goes there with his pay proper, which is his
monthly pay fixed by law. and his service rations,
which are rations given by law for every FIVE
4 wears service. The lieutenant colonel, who per-
forms the duties of colonel, has his monthly pay,
or pay proper, and gets the allowance for horses,
for service, for fuel, and for quarters which the
law now gives to the colonel. His pay is not in
creased. Nobody . pay is increased. The colonel,
as said before, retires simply on his monthly
| nav and service ratons.
MIR. GtDDiNGS. l wish to inquire Of the
honorable chairman of the Committee on Military
Affairs, whether the lieutenant colonel while dis
charging the duties of colonel, does not receive
the monthly pay Of colonel'
| MIR BURT. No. sir, not at all.
Mr.. GIDDlNGS. Then would not impose
those duties upon him. If the colonel receives
pay only equal to his services, why should not
the lieutenant colonel, too, receive the same pay
for performing the same duties lift is unneces-
sary to pay it to the lieutenant colonel, it is un-
necessary to pay it to the colonel
/ Now, sir, the very misunderstanding which
prevails in this hall shows the proprety OF the
reference of this bill to Committee of the Whole,
where it may be discussed so that we can all un-
derstand it. But, sir, am unwilling to let the
subject pass without entering my protest against
this extreme anxiety to show particular favor and
libernlity towards the army. As was remarking
when l was interrupted, know Of no greater
merit in the man who obtains an Office in the army
than in one who obtains place on this floor, or
in any other honorable station in which to serve
his country. The man who faces his country s
foes in battle renders service to his country that s
no more meritorious than he who faces the po-
itical dangers, by maintaining here or elsewhere
unpopular truths, in support of popular rights.
/ You may take the members of this House, and
will show you ten who will stand unblanched
amid the battles strife, where you will find one
who will stand firm in his duty when called 10
stand in hostility to vitiated public sentiment,
or who will unAinchingly perform his duty when
that duty is unpopular Indeed, sir. there is
not half the merit in serving in the army, that
there is in serving in civil capacity, where men
are constrained to do that which is opposed to the
popular will Now want to know If the gen.
teman who would establish this retired list for the
army will establish retired list for ourselves and
successors, when we leave this hall other civil
service, the civil service Of the Government
Sir, when this retired military list shall once he
established, it will remain an incubus upoo The
people while the Government shall exist. Like
that Of Great Britain and of other despotic ma
tons, it will bear down the energies Of the peo-
Pile, and Cypress those who toll for a living
those from whom we all derive our support.
| |, sir, meet this proposition in limins, at the
threshold | oppose it, and will continue to OPP
pose, long there shall be the least prospect
of making such opposition effectual
Our young men are anxious to get commissions
in the army. They desire to share in the honor
Of serving our country. They not only exert
i themselves but their friends put forth their infu-
ence TO obtain appointments for them. While
there they live upon the labor, they are paid from
the labor, Of those who toil aud l, for one, will
say, when they become incapable Of serving the
public, let them retire and live upon the proceeds
Of their former service, precisely as others do
who get far less compensation. IL they are un-
willing to do this, let them seek civil employ
ment. | have no fears that shall be unable to
find officers for the army.
| |, sir, feel constrained to 60 for every measure
that shall diminish the expense Of the army. 1t
is time ofpeace; we have need Of one-fourth
part Of the troops which we now have under pay
the burden is at least four times greater than it
ought to be. Let it be diminished.
We see our officers now in almost every city
strutng about the streets in Incidence, sustained
by the laboring people, fed from the public crib,
but doing nothing whatever to support themselves
or to increase the wealth OF the nation. Sir, |
would discharge every such officer, and let him
support himself
| These things are in conflict with our nstitu-
tons, opposed to the spirit OF the age opposed to
Justice and to sound policy. We want no army.
Recent experience has demonstrated this point so
clearly that no rejecting mind can doubt it.
| The bill before contemplates permanent
military establishment, aperpetual standing army.
1t looks to grand military institution that may
compete with those Of European potentates, that
shall rival foreign establishments Of similar
character.
But have no idea Of speaking to themerits Of
the bill. 1t is Of great importance and should be
understood by every member, and for the purpose
-. Il "a 4