The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-25

have not time 10 specify Others but they to be
found in the documents accompanying the QuaHermas.
ter's report Now, ask, what control has the Quarter
General over these rens BY reference to regula
tions aad 96S, the committee will that he has
power TO refuse these ihngr, when they are demanded
by the officer in command. will read The regulations
1885 When an officer arrives a post If he be entitled
quarters and fuel, he shall make written acquisition
for Them on the officer of Quarermaers partme
stationed there accompanied by copy the order placing
him duty If he be accompanied by troops his requi
the number officers of each class grade well
missioned officers, musicians, artihcers private sol
diers, servants, and authorized washerwomen"
1888 When officers and troops assigned TO duty at
stations where there are no public buildings which they
can occupy the officers Of the uanermases department
shall hire quarters for hem exceeding the number OF
which the officers entitled, and the space TO
which the troops are entitled"
Here is the manner then, in which quarters shall be
demanded, and the in which they shall be pro-
yided SO that see Tor the items OF rent, which ap
pear be enormous, the commanding officer or command.
in chief is mainly responsible The officers are
titled quarters oil certain DIMENSIONS and where there
are public buildings for that purpose, the quarermas
ter is required TO rem, quarters Il demanded BY the ohcer
in command do not deny that tine quar,ermas,er is re-
sponsbe for the price he may TO pay Tor rent,
anything else he may have to purchase and any
he gives more than fair market value for the article OBJ
tanned by him, be should be condemned and promptly
punished; but the commanding officer in the field, under
the authorities in Washington city, can alone dispense
with rents They could say these rents high we
will order the army-oHicers and mento their tents
until they build or rent at reasonable prices but If
they persist their demands for quarters, the quarter
most reasonable prices in his power.
Il has been frequently asked me within the last few
days, "Why don't General Jesup make the soldiers cut
their own wood I" That seems to to be very peril
men, and sensible question. 1t is, however easily an.
swered by saying he has power to make the order,
will be seen by reference to regulation ssl which
says:
"ss At all posts in the vicinity Of public or Indian
nds which afford e-wood, the necessary fscl will be
provided by fatigue parties detailed from The troops under
the direction OF the several commanding ocers but should
fuelb he by on
shall be taken mp, tho returns OF tho officers of the nar
counsd for as public property according to the re8ua-
tions."
Now, under these circumstances, what has General
Jesup do! The regulations say what each OF the Off
GERS shall be entitled TO, and what each shall have
in the way OF fuel-so much in and so much in
winter, so much in latitude and so much in another
all specifically set forth Bot il the Quarermaser Gen
era should think proper to say, cannot give you
fuel here public lands around yous go and cut yonr
wood - what would be the result He would be DISC
beyed, because be has no right to give the order The
commanding officer has right to give that order, and il
should have been given long since II General Scott
shoald issue his order, or the Secretary OF War should
his order, requiring it, then the commanding officer
will have il done Our troops at those posts, Tor at least
portion of the time, doing little no duty that
would prevent them from cutting their own wood, and
saving their hay yet are hired to DO this
work. making the wood cost from three to ten dollars
cord regard that an abuse but the Quarermaster
General has power TO change II. The conmander-n-
chief change il, and n my view emss in the dis
charge OF his duty for not having done long since
These remarks to fuel apply with the same force to
hay Why s il, ask. that paying $50, and $40
and $50 ton for hay when there s the very grass
growing all around posts out Of which that hay is
made, will leave others 10 answer that question.
Mr. MARSHALL OF Kentucky. | wish to ask a
question.
Mr.. HOUSTON. | cannot yield, as my time will moi
allow me 10 do 40.
Mr. MARSHALL. The question is merely this
Whether il does not appear from the documents reported
by the Secretary Of War, in New Mexico especially that
the officer in command there has not ISSUED order
onring The soldiers cut their hay, whenever the
price al which il can be purchased exceeds $40 per ton
Mr.. HOUSTON. intended to come to that and state
that had heard OF the existence OF such order.
have not found any such order. however. in the docu
mcnts to which the gentleman refers. These abuses ap,
pear to have occurred in 1851 We have not received
he s,a,ements in detail that time and, stated
in the outset OF my remarks, efforts being made io
correct many Of them.
desire TO have the attention Of the committee mo
ment TO another point 1t Is said by members that I'M