The southern press., 1852-03-30
VOL. III
puN,sumENrs In THE NAVY.

Mr.. STANTON, of Tennessee, moved sus-
pension of the rules SO as to enable him to report,
from the Committee on Naval Affairs, the Senate
bill to enforce discipline and promote good con-
duct in the naval sevice ofthe United States;
Mr.. FOWLER, of Massachusetts,, said that IL
had been stated that the expedition to the Chinese
sea was for the purpose of entering upon negotla-
tons, at all hazards, with the Japanese govern
ment. He desired to know if this was a fact
Mr.. STANLY, of North Carolina, called the
gentleman to order. His question had nothing TO
do with the subject before the House.
Mr. STANTON said that the bill was designed
10 substitute some mode Of punishment, other
than that of the lash, which had been abolished
by Congress, as every one knew AT present,
there was no way to enforce decipline on ship
board, except through a cout-martlal. ms, N
cases of small offences, was too impracticable
This bill had passed the Senate nearly unanl-
mously. Mr.. S. hoped that the bill might be
passed before the East India squadron sailed
Unless it was, il would be impossible to COM
municate the fact of its passage to the squad
ron after it has sailed, until some twelve months
have elapsed.
The motion to suspend the rules was agreed to,
and the bill considered
Mr.. STANTON then reported the bill with an
amendment to strike out that part which reads
sand oblge the offender to wear, for any time not
exceeding ten days, badge with the word 'thief'
thereon"
The amendment was agreed to-
Mr.. STUART, of Michigan, opposed the bill
and it was advocated by Messrs. STANLY, of
North Carolina, and BAYLY, of Virginia.
Mr.. ORR, of South Carolina, moved to lay the
bill on the table. Negatived, II to "a.
The bill was read third time, and
The question coming up on its passage 1t was
rejected-the yeas and rays being ordered--yeas
rs, nays97.
Mr. MILLSoN, Of Virginia, moved recon
sideration. He believed that some law or the
kind was necessary, but the present bill gave too
much arbitrary power to officers, and ne could not
Mr.. EVANS, ofMaryland, spoke of the mod.
ern philanthropy in the community which had
defeated the bill. Such was the present lack OF
discipline in the navy, arising from the want OF
sufficient laws, that he regretted having voted to
abolish corporal punishment at former session
Of Congress.
Mr.. ORR opposed the bill, because it proposed
to put sailors, who have served faithfully for
twenty years, on the pension list. The same
rule if adopted in this case, should also apply to
mechanics and others who had served the govern
ment faithfully. He believed that fogging in the
navy had been too hastily abolished, and that
there was a disposition to force these subjects
through the House without sufficient consldera-
ton. He was in favor Of well-considered law.
Mr.. VENABLE, of North Carolina, advocated
the bill and supported the pension clause he
would vote for 100 acres ofland for the poor old
sailor, who has served his country faithfully for
twenty years. as soon as he would for the soldier.
The man who had braved storms in defence Of
his country, should receive his sympathy. Why
should not the public lands be given to the sailor
as well as for railroads In the course of his re-
marks Mr.. v. spoke of " OLD fogyism," and said
that he was one himself As for "progress, ;"
there was progress downward as well as up
ward.
After further discussion,
Without taking the question, the House ad-
journed at quarter to o'clock.