Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-14

But this bill provides for the support Of those officers
may be removed
However sir am not disposed to continue the discus
sion any ihrther to-day have moved that the bill be
postponed Tor the purpose Of having it printed and when
" e1es up again we can dispose Of il adyisedy.
I'll oioohloN. DO not intend TO assume any
sPohs'oy upon myselfa speaking for the navy, bat
such rs belongs to my position am here as Senator
ana speak on my responsibility Senator and as such
man move 10 strike out from this bill its provisions in
on % inc navy anu the marine corps presume speak
ior no BODY OF men aud for individual but myself
he senator aavered to my remark that the President
hau s power now yet he complains of its severity and
says that the President has power to turn out but If he
exercised it, he would turn the officers adrift without any
provision Tor their support That's not the power TO which
aiuaea; ana the gentlemans remark only shows what
npprehehded was the case that he has ked into
the matter in reference the navy The President has
right to furlongh officers upon half pay That is the
law 70 Whch ailnded and therefore it that
the gentleman has INDUCED his wit without perhaps hav-
ing very proper occasion to do So
Ihere Is however one part Of the gentleman remarks
nat perhaps did not exactly understand, and should
IKE 10 nave nm explain them. He referred ito what
sai as to the present condition of the navy and said that
had perhaps refrigerated since left navy or in conse-
quenee OF my leaving it, did not exactly catch the Sena-
tor words, and should like hear them again in order
TO understand his meaning
Mr. SHIELDS. meant the very highest possible
piiment to my honorable and gallant friend INDUCED in
no wit whatever made effort to be witty. stated
that presumed the navy had suffered considerably since
that honorable gentleman had retired from the service
Could have paid him a higher compliment? There is
that gallent and meritorous officer and certainly did
not mean to reflect the honorable Senator from New
Jersey by saying that the navy had suffered since his re-
tnement from the service.
Mr. STOCKTON felt under the conviction that
could not be mistaken in the sentiments and feelings Of
the honorable Senator from Illinois towards me- and am
glad that have not been mistaken.
Mr.. GWlN. have been absent during this discussion
anu really do not understand the bill before the Senate
and therefore, learn that the question pending is on
motion to postpone, am in favor of the motion. Asthe
question of the reorganization OF the navy been dis
cussed it proper that chairman the Naval Com
mitee, should say something. think the responsibility
regard to legislation for the navy should rest upon the
right quarter The records will show that the Committee
ON Naval Affairs of the Senate have discharged their duty
in acting upon every question brought before them They
reported more bills at the last session of Congress than
were ever reported from that committee at any previous
session They have acted upon all the bills before them
Upon the subject of reorganization of the navy they
have been prepared to act for many months past But
will be recoected that early in the last session
ported bill making, for temporary purposes, substi
tute for the punishment of foggng, which had been
abolished The Senate passed it with great unanmity,
and sent TO the House of Representatives at very
early period They laid it upon their table, and there it
still lies What is the Of originating legislation
here when every thing that send down to the House,
which in my opinion beneficial to the country is either
manged and destroyed by the in which is cut
up or is laid upon their table and not acted upon That
is the why the Naval Committee at any rate
why member of that committee, have not felt dis
posed to act at all Judging from the past, GER
tain that there will be no legislation there OF beneficial
character in reference to the navy.
do not know the provisions of this bill, but wish it
TO be distinctly understood that prepared to advo
cate for the reorganization of the navy yet
We have hope OF its being acted upon at this session
We have had prepared for months but we have
brought it before the Senate under that impression
Mr.. BADGER. This bill does not propose reorgani
cation of the navy
Mr.GWIN. | merely wished to make that statement
in order that it might be understood.
| The PRESIDENT. The question is on the motion to
postpone until the further consideration Of the
i bill, and to print the amendment.
! The motion agreed to.