The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-09
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
DISCIPLINE lS THE sAvAL SERVICE.


The House resumed the consideration Of the bill
from the Senate 20 enforce discipline and promote
good conduct in the naval service OF The United
States
Mr.. BOCOCK, OF Virginia, "a member Of the
Committee ON Naval Affairs,) after few intro.
ductory remarks, said that there is nothing more
common than TO hear all men who speak upon the
subject, urge that there is need OF thorough and
searching reform in the naval establshment Of our
country, in every branch and department Gen
tlemcn say that there ,hould be reform in the man
Of building ships, and in the mode OF rcgolat-
ing promotions; and others declare that there
should BE- thorough and searching reform in the
rules OF discipline by which navy IL governed.
Bot while they all agree 10 tho necessity Of re-
form in thcsc particulars, Congress, and particu-
lsrly the House, have neglected TO act definitely
upon IL. The last Congress was called the slavery
Congress; and the cry went forth that, having dis
posed OF that question, the next Congress could as
sernble TO attend 20 the business OF the country.
But what has taken placer Gentlemen have been
resulting the settlement and readiusiing the Ad-
/ jusimcnn
/ A. 20 the bill under consideration. when il came
before the House, n few days ago, the previous
qucston sustained, and the bill pu, upon i,H
/ passage, and the gentlemen who voted for sustain
ing the previous question voted against the bill,
because they could not amend H. And this vas n
! specimen OF American legisiatioDl This session,
be repeated vas declared in advance 20 be the bu-
sincss session There il much talent In the Housc
| az in any precodinz Congress. But how has Il
! been o1ercisodi In Presidential movements, pro-
IN n spirit Of brotherly regard, and tell them this
subject 10 not worthy Of the talents OF American
statesmen. Cunning and plotting require the sor
Of talent 10 which the monkey IL EQUAL and the 70,
| superior American statesmen ought 20 rise TO 3
| higher atmosphere, and devote Themselves 90 The
| Advancement Of the great interests Of the pcopl,
and the country.
In the course Of bis rena rk, he said that THE i,
4 the sge Of false philanthropy, which includes The
/ abolition Of capital punishment, socialism,, iOu
riersrp, antirontism, aboiiuonisrn, and oil othei
/ isms, which he heartily condemned. He espcctcc
i,hunent OF criminals by confinement, and that
and solemnly lecturedi II the address should b'
~ dull aud prosy ne many % which he bad he
tened. II would be far lcFs agreeable TO the crimi
mails than lolling on their beds in their gloomy
prisons. lie should not advocate punishment IL
done; and then proceeded Co speak Of the modes d
punishment sought 10 he re. enacted in the substi
tutc Of bic colleague (Mr. MnLsoS, } such as gag
ging TO stop swearing, crucifying (vithout, how
ever the hands md feet being pierced and keel
houling; which latter consists Of throwing a maj
on one side Of the ship and dragging him unde
on the other.
Mr. CHANDLER raid that this rnndc sailo
under 20 n great hard ship. if.aughtor.l
Mr. BOCOCK remarked that he could not sup
port the substitute Of bic colleague The punish
nenis were too hard, inhunan, and cruel for hn
! lie contended that summary authority was obsc
lutcly necessary. II ought not TO be too great
but be preferred giving u 90 the captain ra'he
, than TO summary couo-mariial And IN cor