The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-04
COMMUNICATE,
The MILITARY Academy.

The Military Academy
In the Estimates Of appropriations required lot be
service OF the fiscal year ending June 80 1885," ass
mied TO Congress by the Secretary OF the Treasury,
find the respective compensaons of the superintendent
OF the only three national scientific establishments d.
country professionally, the Military Academy Il
West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and d.
National Observatory at Washington.
A captain in the army, acting superintendent Of b
Military Academy receives salary OF two thousand 3D.
lars
A commander in the navy, superintendent OF the nH
school, receives salary OF two thousand five hunhs
dollars 81
lieutenant in the navy. experimenting the NaGon
Observatory, receives salary of three thousand dou
Each Of these gentlemen has also certain al!owav
in addition, determined by long continued cussai
the service to which he beongs--the allowances ds
superintendent OF The Military Academy being the lad
in amount.
We see by bill reported in the House, ha, Is nov
proposed to cul off all allowances. in every shape and
Of every nature, from the superintendent OF the MnF
Academy, thus making a difference OF FIVE hundred a
lars per annum and allowances, when compared with DE-
superintendent OF the Naval School. and one lhouak
dollars per annum and allowances, when compared viii
the superintendent OF the Observatory.
Can any one point out the reason or Justice Of ha
enormous dsproportion Of compensation for similar 81
vices It's not the military rank. a. is evident from b
last comparison. II will not be conended that more
tended more important duties justify such dia,raa
1t cannot be ascribed 10 the unavoidable action OF a.
eral law, bearing all such laws do, uneqnaly in T
ticular cases; for in the cases OF the Military Acar
and Observatory the compensation is determined y
special enactment
Far be il from TO deract in one ota from the nsrs
of any OF these gentlemen, or to insnua,e thai D.
compensation is not in each case amply repaid k
government We wish TO draw attention. only 10 thea
IRENE differences for corresponding services, and
present effort TO reduce still further the least gna
Every one in the least degree familiar with the ern
stances is that never has the pay Of the suft
iendent OF the Military Academy been sufficient sa
BILE him 10 live 10 the manner imperiousy called To-
his position The present incumbent, il is knowa, u
been compelled to draw upon his private resources
ring the whole period OF his commahd-- resort bi
means open to all liable to that command
We earnestly hope that the good feeling and cool ss
OF Congress may induce them to pause in the ardof
form before being led to commit un Willingly act
justice This matter Of compensation was only re'a
fixed, after careful and minute Investigation y
committee having il in hand, which committee bail
fore Them and weighed well, all the facts in the e''
The constant changing Of compensation, and uncdnl
dependence thereon. is perhaps mote 10 be dsF'a'
than even an insuffciency 10 amount I.
The friends OF the Military 1slemyao not comp.
that others receive more. bot they do ask that the P
low rate OF its superinte ndent may not be made less
House bill No 81 s2d ConRre,s LIST session-J,9as.
49, Is52-ohaneing pny Of the professors Of The 49,
Academy, by hose com pensation that oil the supenp
ent is by law regulated.