The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-17


his duties in the manner now provided BY law"
Mr.. SHIELDS Ibeg leave inlsrrup, the honorable
senator because think he does not understand the bill
| Mr.. RuSK think do
Mr.. SHIELDS. Well, there is no time TO enter
into dcussion OF that matter. have already said that
would not enter into debate this evening, though
think, should do so, could sustain every point there
But wish 10 call up some OF the other bills 10 which
have referred. and to which think there be no OBJ
lection aud have them passed aud # there be no obiec
ton would let this bill 80 for the present
Mr.. RusK What shall we do with this bill
| Mr.. WELLER. Lay il upon the table.
MIR. RUSK If the honorable senator from Illinois
will TO let this bill lie upon the table for the pres
ent, shall be satisfied
| Mr.. SHIELDS have no objection 10 that
| The bill and pending amendment Were accordingly
laid upon the table.
! Mr. SHIELDS The only object have ia view is 10
dispose OF these bills in way another. | wish in
doing so to save the time OF the Senate pos
sibe. Now If honorable senator's will permit to 20
on and up The remaining bills. II there be OBJ
lection any Of them will consent to have il post.
poned and we can pass those to which objection is
made. Until we do something OF that sort we will
complish nothing.
| Mr. SEWARD | would suggest to the honorable
senator of the have already left the
chamber, it might be well to adjourn. II be will leave
his business il now is il will come up on Monday
next the unfinished business OF to-day, and be nst
order for consde alton
| Mr. RUSK hope that will not be done, but that we
will sit here until we have disposed Of this matter. We
have already great many things for Monday.
/ Mr.. SEWARD. | do not make any mollon | only
desired 10 make the suggestion the honorable senator
Mr.. SHIELDS. All desire is to get through with
this business in short time possible, and to dis
pose OF as many OF these bills as can this evening
Now, ii the Senate il disposed to sustain in it, well
and good; II moi, will consent TO have these bills laid
upon the table
Mr.. BELL. Go on; we will help you all we can.
| Several SENATORS Go on; 20 on
/ Mr. SHIELDS. presume the next bill in the series,
and the which now 10 be taken up, will not
meet with much objection as the one last under con-
The nj IN
mens OF certain officers of the army. Its object 10 10
abolish brevet pay and double raiions. move we now
proceed TO the consideration OF that bill, which Senate
bill No 3Si.
The question being then taken the motion was agreed
The Senate then proceeded TO consider as in committee
OF the whole, Senate bill No. 3S4. being A bill to i'm
prove the efficiency of the army Of the United States =
which read the second time.
Mr.. SHIELDS propose to amend that bill by stri.
king out the I'd section which reads as follows:
SEC Ind be it further enacted That from and after
the LIST day of August, 1852, the pay the officers Of tho
fed shall be hereinafter provided. namely. Of all
cooes 800 month OF all lieutenant colonies, SIS per
month of all majors, $50 per month OF all captains $50
per month"; ali ieu,enants. $40 per month Of ali
second leutenants $50 on, and Of all other grades,
provided by existing laws: Provided. That tho
$40 per additional pay officers in actual command
companies compensation for their duties and response
blities with respect to clothing, accouemen &c,
is hereafter discontinued"
This has been done after consultation with the depart
ment though that consultation has not been quite sat
IsIdctOry as We COulu WISH propose also 10 0meRQ
the bill further by adding at the proper place pro.
vso, hat all general officers shall hereafter be entitled
to surplus raons in the same proportion as other officers
of the army" Under existing laws they not allowed
TO receive any Surplus rations By abolishing brevet
pay and double Iaons, one OF the old colonies would
gel higher pay than brgader general the old colonel
would get nothing of the kind. Now. my object if We
abolish the breve pay and double ratons, is. by the
proviso have Indicated TO put the brigadier generate
upon the same footing the other officers of the army
By this bill give them the benefit Of these surplss
raons, but diminish their very considerably from
what il is The residue OF this bill 10 in reston to
common soldiers. improving their condition little with
out increasing their compensation have not time 30
into the merits OF this bill large II there be OBJ
jec,on 70 i. hope il will be acted upon now.
Mr.. CASS. IL is very obvious that senators have
not
Mr.. SHIELDS If the honorable senator will permit
me- will go through with these bills and do moi think
will ever trouble the Senate again.
MIR. CASS. have but word 10 say. was going
to say that II is very obvious that honorable senators
have not had opportunity to examine this bill. will
certainly JON with The honorable chairman OF the Com
miitee Military Affairs Mr. SHIELDsl in every en-.
deavor to make the army efficient possible But it
must be very obvious that have not sucient time 10
examine this measure. feel myself as though wanted
more thoroughly to understand the bearings OF this bill
With Of the ideas OF the honorable senator from ll
nos fully concur; with others do not now, though
may after further examination One of the amend
ments which he proposes to these bills believe have
MOI yet been pnied If so have not yet been able 10 ind
them in printed form As radical change in the army
is proposed by these several measures, and more
cally by the bill under consideration. think II
would be better to let II lie over II however The hon
orabe senator desires to go with this brevet bill
have an amendment or two which wish to propose TO
H. think the honorable senator will agree with that
OF the great OF evil 10 the American army
this very system of breve rank, which is unknown 10
any other service IN the world. II well asked BY
Napoleon, when talking upon the subject regard
TO English brevels, which probably well managed
any, " How do you gel along in having officers
~ho bold different ranks ia different servcesths thing
to-day and that thing Tomorrow 7" Now, this matter
has caused great trouble in army. | want TO abo
ish brevet commands. II any have obtained brevet
peace would grant no brevet rank whatever That s
one provision that desire 10 submit to the consideration
Of my honorable friend from Illinois merely mention
this for his consideration There others which
occur TO my mind, and 10 which will call his attention
at The proper lime.
Mr. SHIELDS. | will agree TO postpone this bill fo
the present will merely say, IN justification OF tins
bill that am for abol'sbing brevet rank IN thai agree
with the honorable senator from Michigan, Mr. Cas-
earned in battle
Mr. CASS Nor am only desire to abolish beve
commands
MIR SHIELDS. am for abolishing the pay. which IS
what those commands sought for. | would say 10
The honorable senator from Michigan that reports upon
these bills made during the FRS, part OF last session
Bat will agree to have this bill postponed, and will then
ask the Senate TO take up another
The question being then taken the bill according
ly postponed TIL tomorrow.
] Mr. SHIELDS. The next bill which wish 10 call up
is Senate bill No 304 The only object OF that bill u 10
appoint chief for the artillery. There are now oo
colonies OF artillery, and the object OF this bill u TO az
point brigader general TO take charge OF that SPECIAL
arm of The service.