The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-03-30
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Mr.. BROWN, of Mississippi, asked leave to in
troduce q resoution-tbat the House proceed to
dispose OF such bills from the Senate on the Spcak
er's table, shall not give rsc TO debate. 0bjec-
ton being made, he moved a suspension OF the
ru'es; but the question determined in the ne
Cative.
DIscrLIsz AsD GOOD CONDUCT IN THE navy.
Mr.. STANTON, Of Tennessee, from the Com
mttee OF Naval Affairs moved a suspension of the
rules, to enable him report back the Senate bill
Ito enforce discipline and promote good conduct
IN the naval service OF The United State" He
said that the passage of this bill was deemed very
important by the Navy Department. The East
India squadron is about TO sni. and it
tial, therefore, that some should be provided
Tor enforcing discipline in the navy the punish
ment Of the lash has been abolished
Mr.. FOWLER said il has been stated in the
newspapers that the expedition 10 Japan is ID enter
into negotiations with the Japanese all hazards
lie wished to know Of the gentleman whether this
! ia true.
MIR. STANTON. am not able to inform you
Mr.. STANLY objected TO the question; il had
nothing 10 DO with this bill
Mr.. FOWLER ! will got another.
Mr.. sTANLY called the gentleman TO order
Mr.. STANTON said that the design Of this bill s
substitute for punishment by lsshing, which il s
known has been abolished. There is now no
means by which discipline can be enforced except
by courts-nsrtial, and this is too cumbrous slow,
and difficult Of enforcement. The bill care
fully prepared by the Committee Naval Affairs
oil the Senate, and passed that body nearly unoni-
4 tc0fnc 10 The House and referred 10
| the Committee Naval AfTsirs. who had in.
ftructod him 10 report II back with an amendment
The East Indian squadron, under Commodore
Perry, is about to sail. II the bill shall now be
passed, II IL not likely that the squadron would
| ceive the information in less than twelve months
during which time il would be ia n condition dele.
] FERROUS 20 the service.
The rules were then suspended, and the bill wa,
reported. IL was read, and provided that the com.
mandcr Of any vessel in the navy, or Of my shore
station, shall have authority 70 punish offences
committed by petty officers and persons Of nfe-
nor rating, by any one or more Of the following
] punishments, TO Wit:
/ ]. by diminishing their ratous; by restricting
their diet To bread and water; by imposing extra
| police and other duties; and in cases Of theft, in
! addition 10 any Of the foregoing punishments by
making good from the wages Of The offender TO tb.
owner The value OF the article. articles stolen
and Obliging the off nder to wear, for any time mo-
exceeding ten days, badge with the word "0ng'
! thereon.
2. Discharge from the service with bad-couduc
discharge
3 solitary confinement in irons single or double
on bread and water; provided no such confinement
shall exceed thirty days.
4 Solitary confinement in irons, single or dou
| Bile, not exceeding thirty dsys.
D. Solitary confinement not exceeding thirty
! days.
Q. Confinement not exceeding two months.
| T. Reduction TO next inferior rating.
;. Ball and chain, but not to be worn at sea.
9. Deprivation Of liberty on shore
Ana loss OF pay, not 20 exceed three months
may be added 70 the above mentioned punish
lnentsi provided that sentence to solitary
hnement shall be directed to be carried into
ton until the surgeon. senior medical officer on
board at the tifne has examined the prisoner and
certified that IL be done without injury 10 his
health and II shall be the duty OF the commander
to remit the whole any part of any sentence the
execution Of which would, in the opinion Of the
said surgeon, or senior medical officer, produce
such injury.
| nc next sections require conduct book 10 bs
kept, noting every instance Of good and bad con